Phil Spencer named 4 forgotten Xbox franchises fans dream about

At Tokyo Game Show 2025, Microsoft Gaming head Phil Spencer discussed the brand’s future and singled out four franchises fans most want to see return: MechAssault, Crimson Skies, Blue Dragon, and Lost Odyssey. However, their prospects for revival differ significantly.

Windows Central took a closer look at each case. MechAssault faces the steepest hurdles. Microsoft currently controls rights only for games set in the BattleTech universe, while books, miniatures, merchandise and other related IP are owned by Topps. Older contracts don’t cover modern distribution models like cloud gaming, leaving the franchise effectively frozen. Microsoft’s role has largely been to license the IP to other studios, which is how titles such as MechWarrior and the BattleTech strategy game have continued to appear.

The fate of Crimson Skies is also murky, since some trademark elements may likewise be held by Topps. That said, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge is playable on Xbox Series X|S via backward compatibility, which slightly improves its chances of resurfacing.

Prospects look brighter for Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon. Developer Mistwalker is still active, and both games run on current Xbox consoles through backward compatibility. With a resurging interest in jRPGs and Microsoft’s clear push to strengthen ties with Japanese players, these two series have the strongest likelihood of being revived.

Source: iXBT.games