"Gamers can look forward to better, more lifelike graphics and some exclusive titles when Microsoft launches its new Xbox 360 later this year, the company has promised.

At a media briefing in Dublin on Thursday Microsoft confirmed more than 25 titles to launch with its next-generation console, with a further 160 in development. Games planned for the Xbox 360 include flagship title Perfect Dark Zero, a prequel to the Rare game Perfect Dark; Kameo, a family-orientated game; Project Gotham Racing 3; Dead or Alive 4; Quake 4; FIFA 2006; and Ghost Recon 3.

Microsoft plans to make its console backwards compatible with current Xbox games; however, if your favourite title is an obscure one that failed to make the best-seller lists, it will be far down the priority list for Microsoft. Stephen McGill, head of Xbox marketing, revealed that the company was planning to make the best-selling Xbox games - of which he claimed there are hundreds - compatible with the console, and work backwards down the list. He admitted, however, that there may be some Xbox games that simply won't work with the Xbox 360." [more]