As part of its 20th anniversary celebrations, Microsoft didn’t just add to its backwards compatibility library, it also added FPS Boost to Xbox 360 games for the first time. Not only that, it also doubled the frame-rate on select Xbox 360 titles that had already received enhanced 4K support for Xbox One X. Spurred on by the addition of FPS Boost to one of my favourite Sonic games, I decided to take a look at some of these improved experiences, gaining further appreciation for some classic titles.
In doing so, it reminded me of something I hadn’t thought deeply about for some time – the fact that the PlayStation 3/Xbox 360 era actually delivered what must surely be the biggest gen-on-gen downgrade in overall game performance… if you ignore Nintendo 64, that is. In looking at these newly enhanced FPS Boost releases, I also decided to go back and revisit their showings on Xbox 360 too – because Series consoles aren’t just delivering a doubling of performance, but often much, much more. Standard back-compat on Xbox Series consoles effectively solves their original performance issues – they hit their (mostly) 30fps frame-rate caps. However, FPS Boost goes one step further, reminding us that 60fps used to be the norm, not the exception.
I wanted to start by looking at both Sonic Generations (which now possesses both resolution and frame-rate upgrades) and Sonic Unleashed (60fps only). I love Generations: while it may not reach the heights of the 2D originals, I feel this represents the best example of three-dimensional Sonic gameplay to date. The boost style of gameplay retains the upper, middle, and lower tier design Sonic specialises in, really testing your reaction time. It’s this combination of high-speed movement, multiple paths that feel satisfying to nail and the perfect blend of beautiful visuals and excellent music. It’s an explosion of colour and style that manages to hold up brilliantly to this day.
The problem is, in its original console form, Sonic Generations was limited to just 30 frames per second and even that was not a guaranteed target. In fact, during certain sections, the frame-rate plummets to near unplayable levels. It feels terrible when this occurs. A PC version exists but I’ve found it has become increasingly finicky when you desire a quick play session.