Microsoft doubled down on backward compatibility with the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, bringing forward Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox titles to its latest consoles.
The company is no stranger to flexing its engineering know-how through its backward-compatibility program, with various features devoted to preserving titles across new systems. FPS Boost is the latest, bringing huge performance upgrades to existing titles, often doubling framerates with a simple toggle.
Here’s what you need to know about Xbox’s FPS Boost feature, plus which titles support it.
What is Xbox FPS Boost?
With the arrival of Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, Microsoft debuted FPS Boost, a new system-level feature designed to bolster performance across backward-compatible titles. This trickery alters how games play with no developer input or code changes, unbinding titles from their previous locked framerates. Whereas one title may have targeted 30 frames per second (FPS) on Xbox One consoles, FPS Boost tweaks it to run at 60 FPS on Xbox Series X and Series S consoles.
Next-generation Xbox hardware has seen games targeting higher framerates than ever before, with titles frequently hitting 60 FPS and 120 FPS. The higher the framerate, the more frames outputted to your display each second, resulting in more fluid and responsive gameplay. But refreshing the outputted image more frequently asks more from the system, pushing intensive titles to compromise with lower framerates.
While the Xbox One X hoped to deliver 4K resolution at 60 FPS, later years would expose several hardware limitations, with many graphically demanding releases settling at just 30 FPS. These games would be “locked” at fixed framerates in software, meaning they won’t see improvements on Xbox Series X and Series S under normal conditions.
FPS Boost delivers a fast and easy way to bring higher framerates to existing Xbox One games on next-generation hardware without the additional development resources required for a formal Xbox Series X|S Optimized patch. It makes older titles automatically run smoother on the new systems, delivering a massive upgrade over standard backward compatibility. It’s even expanding the list of Xbox Series X|S games with 120 FPS support.
Higher frames means better performance, smoother gameplay and less input lag. Despite not increasing the number of pixels on the screen, a higher framerate can be more pleasant to look at simply because there’s less judder and blur.
What is Xbox FPS Boost?
Microsoft launched Xbox FPS Boost in March 2021, starting with a small initial wave of titles, and since expanded with regular new additions. The feature has since picked up support from top publishers like Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Bethesda, and Square Enix, enhancing several top experiences from the Xbox One generation. With little work from game developers, expect more FPS Boost titles to hit Xbox Series X and Series S over the months ahead.
The largest expansion of the feature brought over 70 new games with FPS Boost support, with Dark Souls III the most recent standalone addition. The latest addition to the service debuted during the Xbox 20th anniversary show, bringing original Xbox and Xbox 360 games to Xbox FPS Boost for the first time.
With Microsoft winding down the Xbox backward compatibility program following the final additions in November 2021, we wouldn’t expect to see any more games added to this list moving forward.
Below follows the complete list of Xbox Series X/S FPS Boost titles so far, coupled with their target framerates when the feature is enabled. Several titles, which may see degraded visuals with FPS Boost enabled, also have the feature disabled by default. The optional support can be manually enabled in system settings, as detailed below.
Xbox FPS Boost: List of games
| Game | Boosted framerate (FPS) | Automatically enabled |
|---|---|---|
| Alan Wake | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Alien Isolation | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Anthem | 60 FPS (Series X Only) | No |
| Assassin’s Creed | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Assassin’s Creed III Remastered | 60 FPS | No |
| Assassin’s Creed III Rogue Remastered | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Assassin’s Creed The Ezio Collection | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Assassin’s Creed Unity | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Battle Chasers: Nightwar | 120 FPS | Yes |
| Battlefield 1 | 120 FPS (Series X Only) | No |
| Battlefield 4 | 120 FPS | Yes |
| Battlefield Hardline | 120 FPS | Yes |
| Battlefield V | 120 FPS (Series X Only) | No |
| Beholder Complete Edition | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Binary Domain | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Black College Football Xperience: Doug Williams Ed | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Darksiders | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Dark Souls III | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Dead Island Definitive Edition | 60 FPS (Series X Only) | Yes |
| Dead Island: Riptide Definitive Edition | 60 FPS (Series X Only) | Yes |
| Dead Space 2 | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Dead Space 3 | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Deus Ex Mankind Divided | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Disney’s Chicken Little | 60 FPS | Yes |
| DiRT 4 | 120 FPS (Series X Only) | Yes |
| Dishonored: Death of the Outsider | 60 FPS | No |
| Dishonored: Definitive Edition | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Don’t Starve: Giant Edition | 120 FPS | Yes |
| Dragon Age: Origins | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Dragon Age 2 | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Dragon Age: Inquisition | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Dungeon Defenders II | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Dying Light | 60 FPS (Series X Only) | Yes |
| Fable Anniversary | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Fable III | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Fallout 3 | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Fallout: New Vegas | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Fallout 4 | 60 FPS | No |
| Fallout 76 | 60 FPS | No |
| Far Cry 3 | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Far Cry 4 | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Far Cry 5 | 60 FPS | No |
| Far Cry New Dawn | 60 FPS | No |
| Far Cry Primal | 60 FPS | Yes |
| F.E.A.R | 60 FPS | Yes |
| F.E.A.R. 3 | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Final Fantasy XIII-2 | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Gears of War | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Gears of War: Ultimate Edition | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Gears of War 2 | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Gears of War 3 | 60 FPS | No |
| Gears of War 4 | 60 FPS | No |
| Golf with your Friends | 120 FPS | Yes |
| Halo Wars 2 | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Halo: Spartan Assault | 120 FPS | Yes |
| Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition | 120 FPS | Yes |
| Homefront: The Revolution | 60 FPS | No |
| Hyperscape | 120 FPS | No |
| Island Saver | 120 FPS | Yes |
| Kameo: Elements of Power | 60 FPS | Yes |
| LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham | 60 FPS | Yes |
| LEGO Jurassic World | 60 FPS | Yes |
| LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2 | 60 FPS | Yes |
| LEGO Marvel Superheroes | 120 FPS (Series X), 60 FPS (Series S) | Yes |
| LEGO Marvel’s Avengers | 120 FPS (Series X), 60 FPS (Series S) | Yes |
| LEGO STAR WARS: The Force Awakens | 60 FPS | Yes |
| LEGO The Hobbit | 120 FPS (Series X), 60 FPS (Series S) | Yes |
| LEGO: The Lord of the Rings | 60 FPS | Yes |
| LEGO The Incredibles | 60 FPS | Yes |
| LEGO Worlds | 60 FPS (Series X Only) | Yes |
| Life is Strange | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Life is Strange 2 | 60 FPS (Series X Only) | Yes |
| Lords of the Fallen | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Mad Max | 120 FPS (Series X) 60 FPS (Series S) | Yes |
| Medal of Honor: Airborne | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Metro 2033 Redux | 120 FPS | Yes |
| Metro Last Light Redux | 120 FPS | Yes |
| Mirror’s Edge | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Mirror’s Edge Catalyst | 120 FPS (Series X Only) | Yes |
| Monster Energy Supercross 3 | 60 FPS | No |
| MotoGP 20 | 60 FPS (Series S Only) | Yes |
| Moving Out | 120 FPS | Yes |
| My Friend Pedro | 120 FPS | Yes |
| My Time at Portia | 60 FPS | Yes |
| New Super Lucky’s Tale | 120 FPS | Yes |
| NIER | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Overcooked! 2 | 120 FPS | Yes |
| Paladins | 120 FPS | Yes |
| Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 | 120 FPS | Yes |
| Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare | 120 FPS | Yes |
| Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville | 120 FPS | No |
| Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid | 120 FPS | Yes |
| Prey | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Realm Royale | 120 FPS | Yes |
| Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City | 60 FPS | Yes |
| ReCore | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Rock of Ages | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Sea of Solitude | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider Definitive Edition | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Shadow Warrior 2 | 60 FPS (Series X Only) | Yes |
| Sleeping Dogs Definitive Edition | 60 FPS | Yes |
| SMITE | 120 FPS | No |
| Sniper Elite 4 | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Sonic Generations | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Sonic Unleashed | 60 FPS | Yes |
| STAR WARS Battlefront | 120 FPS | Yes |
| STAR WARS Battlefront II | 120 FPS (Series X Only) | No |
| STAR WARS: The Clone Wars | 60 FPS | Yes |
| STEEP | 60 FPS (Series S Only) | Yes |
| Super Lucky’s Tale | 120 FPS | Yes |
| SUPERHOT | 120 FPS | Yes |
| The Elder Scrolls VI: Oblivion | 60 FPS | Yes |
| The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition | 60 FPS | Yes |
| The Evil Within 2 | 60 FPS | No |
| The Gardens Between | 120 FPS (Series X), 60 FPS (Series S) | Yes |
| The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame | 60 FPS | Yes |
| The LEGO Movie Videogame | 120 FPS | Yes |
| Titanfall | 120 FPS (Series X Only) | Yes |
| Titanfall 2 | 120 FPS | No |
| Tom Clancy’s The Division | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Totally Reliable Delivery Service | 120 FPS | Yes |
| Two Point Hospital | 60 FPS | Yes |
| UFC 4 | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Unravel 2 | 120 FPS | No |
| Unruly Heroes | 120 FPS | Yes |
| Untitled Goose Game | 120 FPS | Yes |
| Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Wasteland 3 | 60 FPS | No |
| Watch Dogs | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Watch Dogs 2 | 60 FPS | Yes |
| Yakuza 6: The Song of Life | 60 FPS | Yes |
120 FPS all the things!
The Xbox Series X is the pinnacle of Microsoft’s next-gen console gaming vision and incorporates powerful hardware that can push games to their max. More games run better in Xbox FPS Boost on Xbox Series X, though it is more expensive and harder to get ahold of.
120 FPS with caveats
The Xbox Series S is a fantastic true next-gen console for those who don’t want to shell out the cash for the more larger and more powerful Xbox Series X. If you’re okay with missing Xbox FPS Boost on some titles, this is cheaper and easier to grab.
How to use Xbox FPS Boost on Xbox Series X|S
FPS Boost hit Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S with the Xbox March Update in 2021, included with official updates for both consoles. It’s ready to go as a system-level feature and automatically kicks in when playing many supported titles. Using FPS Boost requires no game updates or additional work from players.
With most FPS Boost games, support automatically kicks in when starting a game on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S devices. Almost every game with FPS Boost upgrades works with the best Xbox console, Xbox Series X, although just a small minority of titles lack Xbox Series S support. You can check whether FPS mode is enabled via the following steps.
- Navigate to My games & apps on your Xbox console.
- Move your cursor to an FPS boost-compatible game.
- Press the Menu button.
- Select Manage game and add-ons.
- Select the Compatibility options tile.
- Check the FPS Boost box to enable FPS Boost.
Some titles with FPS Boost support may also supply these upgrades only on Xbox Series X systems, leaving their Xbox Series S counterparts upgrade-free. Check the complete list of FPS Boost titles above for a per-game breakdown.
When FPS Boost is active with compatible titles, your Xbox console will display an FPS Boost icon through the Xbox Guide menu. Pressing the Xbox button to open the Guide will display the FPS BOOST signifier in the top right-hand corner of the screen, adjacent to the Auto HDR icon, if active.
For most titles, FPS Boost will deliver immediate upgrades no matter your setup. However, with titles leveraging the feature to achieve 120 FPS, it’s crucial to ensure your screen matches the criteria. While 60Hz refresh rates have been long the norm for TVs, the 120Hz refresh rate demanded by 120 FPS titles requires a specialist display. Furthermore, 4K resolution at 120Hz demands the latest 4K TV tech, including the all-new HDMI 2.1 connector, which supports this high-bandwidth output. It’s reserved for the best 4K TVs for Xbox Series X and Series S, although new options are steadily hitting the market.
A near-perfect TV for gaming
Proper HDMI 2.1 support for 4K and 120 FPS gaming, Dolby Vision HDR, VRR, and some of the most outstanding picture quality in TVs makes the LG C1 OLED the perfect pair for your Xbox Series X|S.
Does FPS Boost impact graphics?
Microsoft debuted FPS Boost as a seamless upgrade on Xbox Series X and Series S, and in most cases, it’s a free performance boost with no negative impact on visuals. However, FPS Boost can potentially impact overall visual quality compared to the stock, unmodified game. This impacts Xbox Series X, although all Xbox Series S games remain unaffected.
The caveat ties back to Xbox One X Enhanced titles, upgraded for Microsoft’s first 4K Xbox console released in 2017. The device brought a massive GPU upgrade over the standard Xbox One, and subsequent games leveraged this hardware, essentially using raw power to achieve a higher 4K resolution.
These games, now seeing FPS Boost improvements, can in many cases deliver 4K resolution with 60 FPS or 120 FPS upgrades. However, some games cannot provide a smooth 4K 60 FPS via backward compatibility, with Microsoft instead hampering the visual quality to achieve a higher framerate.
These FPS Boost-enabled titles lose their Xbox One X enhancements when on Xbox Series X, delivering their high framerates at the settings of standard Xbox One consoles. It can result in a lower resolution, worse effects, and overall muddied presentation versus the title with Xbox FPS Boost disabled. Fallout 4 and Fallout 76 are among those impacted by this tradeoff.
Thankfully, Microsoft makes FPS Boost entirely optional so that you can choose between 4K visuals or a slick 60 FPS.
How to disable Xbox FPS Boost on Xbox Series X|S
Microsoft claims to extensively test every title with FPS Boost support, which should mean all the benefits with minor drawbacks on the system. But FPS Boost does have the potential to impact visuals in some cases, and if you encounter issues, Microsoft has included a toggle in the Xbox OS. It’s quick and easy to disable the feature on a per-game basis, which returns the game to its original state.
- Navigate to My games & apps on your Xbox console.
- Move your cursor to an FPS boost-compatible game.
- Press the Menu button.
- Select Manage game and add-ons.
- Select the Compatibility options tile.
- Uncheck the FPS Boost box to disable FPS Boost.
To enable FPS Boost, follow the steps and re-check the FPS Boost check box.
Will Xbox Series X|S get Resolution Boost?
FPS Boost is the latest Xbox backward-compatibility enhancement, modernizing games with framerates fit for the current generation. It stems from ongoing efforts to upgrade existing titles for the newest Xbox consoles, without touching game code, previously including 4K upgrades for Xbox 360 and original Xbox experience. And while Microsoft hasn’t announced a “Resolution Boost”-style feature for Xbox Series X and Series S, it appears a likely addition, given a previous tease from Microsoft.
“The compatibility team has invented brand-new techniques that enable even more titles to run at higher resolutions and image quality while still respecting the artistic intent and vision of the original creators,” said Jason Ronald, director of program management for Xbox Series X in August 2020 (opens in new tab). “We are also creating whole new classes of innovations including the ability to double the frame rate of a select set of titles from 30 FPS to 60 FPS or 60 FPS to 120 FPS.”
While FPS Boost brings the ability to “double the frame rate” of existing Xbox One games, we’re yet to see the equivalent upgrades to resolutions and image quality. While we don’t have a timeline, it appears to be on the cards for the future.
Xbox FPS Boost joins a number of features joining the Xbox backward-compatibility list, designed to enhance and upgrade classics into the next generation. Let us know which games you hope to see with FPS Boost next in the comments section.
