Your ARM Windows laptop just became a gaming machine
The Xbox app is now officially available on ARM-based Windows 11 PCs with broad Game Pass support.
After years of limited gaming support on Windows 11 ARM devices, Microsoft has officially expanded the Xbox app to be fully available on all ARM-based Windows 11 PCs. That means laptops and tablets powered by ARM chips can now dive into much of the Xbox PC experience with native support for hundreds of titles from the Xbox PC app catalog.
The announcement comes as part of Microsoft’s January 2026 Xbox update, which also includes several other improvements, like a game-save sync indicator and broader cloud support. But the most significant change for ARM users is straightforward: you can now download, play, and manage Xbox games directly through the Xbox app on ARM-based Windows 11 devices, just like on traditional x86 PCs.
What This Means for ARM Gaming
Microsoft says that more than 85% of the Xbox Game Pass catalog is already compatible with these ARM devices, meaning a large swath of games can run locally without workarounds. Additionally, titles that are not yet supported for native play can still be accessed through Xbox Cloud Gaming, giving users another way to enjoy their favorite games as compatibility continues to grow.
A key part of this expansion is Prism, Microsoft’s emulator that allows traditional x86 and x64 games to run on ARM hardware. Recent updates to Prism have added support for modern instruction sets like AVX and AVX2, which are used by many new games, significantly improving compatibility on ARM devices. What’s more, is that Microsoft also mentions support for anti-cheat systems like Epic’s Easy Anti-Cheat. This means that multiplayer titles such as Fortnite and Gears of War: Reloaded are playable as intended on ARM hardware.
For players and creators alike, this update removes a key barrier that previously kept ARM machines, which are often valued for battery life and thin designs, from seriously competing as gaming devices. Whether you use a Snapdragon-powered laptop, an upcoming NVIDIA ARM-based laptop, or a pocket-sized handheld running Windows 11, the Xbox app’s arrival means those platforms can now pull from the same PC Game Pass library many gamers already enjoy
Varun is an experienced technology journalist and editor with over eight years in consumer tech media. His work spans…
The 144Hz IPS era is over: why 240Hz OLED is the only monitor you should buy
I remember unboxing my first 144Hz IPS panel five years ago and thinking we had peaked. I was wrong. After spending the last month staring at the latest crop of 240Hz OLEDs, going back to a standard backlit LCD feels like looking at a game through a screen door.
Quick links
You might want to grab a Switch 2 now to avoid a price hike later in 2026
Yes, Nintendo isn’t exactly immune to tariffs, AI-fueled memory crunches, and the slow creep of next-generation console inflation.
The Japanese entertainment giant Nintendo released the much-awaited successor to the Switch handheld gaming console in June 2025, dubbed Switch 2. It offered upgrades in almost all aspects, including the display, GPU, battery life, and accessories.
The console debuted at a launch price of $449 (for the console) and $499 for the Mario Kart World bundle. Since then, it has remained available at the same price, even though other popular consoles like the PlayStation 5 (Digital Edition) and Xbox Series S (512GB) saw price hikes of $50 and $100, respectively.
Marathon is almost here as Bungie confirms release date and cross-platform support
Squad-based survival and loot define Marathon’s core
Bungie has finally locked in a release date for Marathon, and the wait is almost over. The studio has confirmed that its long-anticipated extraction shooter will launch on March 5, priced at $40.
Alongside the release date, Bungie also dropped a new gameplay trailer and shared fresh details about Marathon’s deluxe edition. Pre-orders are now live on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S, with full crossplay support confirmed across all platforms so players can team up regardless of where they play.
