Xbox Marks 25th Anniversary with Wolfenstein 3, Halo Firefight, and 25 Classics on PC

Xbox celebrated its 25th anniversary in grand style, concluding its FanFest tour in Seattle, the city where it all began. The event was a true party for players, packed with announcements that look to both the future and the console's roots, as shared on Xbox Wire.

From the return of iconic franchises with new installments to the arrival of beloved classics on PCs, Xbox aims to ensure its players continue to have plenty to look forward to. The company took the opportunity to thank the community for a quarter-century of achievements, midnight launches, and friendships forged in the virtual world.

New Adventures in Beloved Franchises

One of the most exciting announcements was the confirmation that Wolfenstein 3 is officially in production. Asha Sharma, CEO of Xbox, revealed that MachineGames is working on this new entry, which will feature the voices of Brian Bloom and Debra Wilson, reprising their roles as BJ Blazkowicz and Grace Walker. This is big news for fans of this historically rich franchise.

There were also updates on Fable. FanFest attendees received an exclusive first look at new gameplay footage, showcasing magical combat against cursed creatures and offering fresh clues about the story of this highly anticipated adventure. For those who weren't there, Xbox promised to break down the footage on its official podcast the following day.

For fans of relentless action, DOOM: The Dark Ages will receive Slaughter Mode starting November 16. This mode, available at no additional cost to those who own the Revelations DLC or Premium editions of the game, plunges you into escalating rounds of randomized enemies and bosses across arenas, promising endless battles with rewards that grow as you play.

Original Xbox Classics Arrive on PC

One of the most applauded surprises was the expansion of Xbox's backward compatibility to PC. Now, 25 original Xbox games are available to play on computers. The list includes iconic titles such as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, two gems that defined a generation of players.

Additionally, to make the experience even more complete, achievements have been added to some of these classic original Xbox games, including KOTOR. This means players can relive their favorite adventures and unlock new challenges simultaneously.

In-Game Celebrations for Your Favorite Titles

The 25th-anniversary party also extended to several of Xbox's most popular titles with exclusive in-game items for players:

• Forza Horizon 6: A special livery for the cover car, the 2025 GR GT, paying homage to the original Xbox's colors and materials.
• Halo: Campaign Evolved: The Damascus Prototype Armor Style, allowing your character to sport a unique “X factor” look.
• Gears of War: E-Day: An Xbox Anniversary Weapon Skin Set that can be claimed for free and later acquired with in-game currency.
• Minecraft: A free OG Green Character Creator item that covers you head-to-toe in the iconic Xbox green.
• Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024: Four new commemorative liveries for aircraft like the Boeing 737 MAX and the Hot Air Balloon, inspired by the original Xbox logo.
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4: An Inner Circuit M4 Blueprint weapon skin with a translucent green finish, available for those who digitally pre-order the game on Xbox Series X|S, showcasing the weapon's internal systems.

More News and Surprises for the Community

The celebration didn't stop there. The cooperative survival mode Firefight is coming to Halo: Campaign Evolved as part of a free Winter Update, offering players new ways to enjoy this classic.

For the nostalgic, Xbox Playback is a new feature that lets you review your own history with the console: from your first game and total time played, to your most enjoyed game and your most active years on the platform.

Even Candy Crush Saga joined the party with its Game On! season, featuring collectible in-game pins and sweet spins on music from franchises like Halo and Fallout. Additionally, members of the Xbox Insider program will receive new console updates, such as rotating home backgrounds and library organization improvements.

Why it matters

This anniversary showcases the journey Xbox has taken and its commitment to players. By bringing back classics, launching new installments for major franchises, and offering celebratory elements in current games, the brand strengthens its connection with the community. It's a balance between nostalgia and innovation that aims to keep players engaged for many more years to come.