Xbox players discover new disc-to-digital feature works with games delisted years ago

Xbox players testing Microsoft’s new disc-to-digital feature have discovered that it works with several games removed from digital stores years ago.

Microsoft began rolling out the feature to Xbox Insiders on August 31, allowing players to turn supported Xbox One and Xbox Series X discs into digital licenses. This means the games can be played without leaving the disc in the console and accessed on disc-free hardware such as the Xbox Series S.

The company previously said it was starting with “thousands of titles”, but it did not explain whether games no longer available to purchase digitally would be included.

Delisted Xbox games are still receiving digital licenses

As first reported by VGC, early testers have found that a game being delisted does not automatically prevent its disc from receiving a digital license.

Xbox player Nicholas Maguire demonstrated the feature working with a physical copy of a game that had already been removed from the Xbox Store.

Deadpool, which was last delisted in 2017, has been confirmed as compatible. Other successful tests reportedly include Minecraft: Story Mode, Titanfall, F1 2021, and Rock Band 4, which were removed from digital stores between 2019 and 2025.

The feature effectively lets someone obtain a new digital version of these games despite no longer being able to purchase them through the Xbox Store. Players who previously bought a delisted game digitally could already redownload it, but disc-to-digital extends that access to physical owners.

Once claimed, compatible titles can also receive Xbox Play Anywhere and Xbox Cloud Gaming support where available. The entitlement remains connected to the original disc, allowing it to transfer if the physical copy is later sold or loaned to another player.

Not every delisted game is supported

Delisted status does not guarantee compatibility, however. Players have reported that Forza Horizon 2 and Forza Horizon 3 currently do not participate, while tests involving several Ubisoft and Square Enix games have also failed.

Microsoft says publishers must support the program and that additional games will be added over time. Failed conversions during the Insider rollout may therefore become compatible later.

Disc-to-digital currently supports Xbox One and Xbox Series X discs, but not games originally released on Xbox 360 or the original Xbox. Dexerto previously covered how the system works and its wider digital benefits.