Microsoft announced it will be offering backwards compatibility on the Xbox One for Xbox 360 games later this year, and as you’d expect, GameStop has praised this move.

GameStop director of merchandising Eric Bright said the upcoming feature will “breathe new life” into Xbox 360 games as “a huge catalog of your favorites will be available on the Xbox One.” "Microsoft, at this E3, decided to introduce backward compatibility into their system. That's obviously something people are looking for," Bright said. "And GameStop will be ready, whether you're looking to purchase Xbox 360 games or trade yours in, we'll be there.”

Bright goes on to say Xbox 360 owners who have been worried about transitioning to the Xbox One will have one less thing to worry about now that backwards compatibility is an option. “It will actually be a boon for Xbox 360 game sales. As people are picking those up, their favorites, maybe they traded in earlier; maybe they were afraid to pick up because they wanted to transition to an Xbox One and were sort of on the fence and waiting. Now, it removes that on-the-fence feeling, that barrier to purchase. You're able to get your Xbox One and have your Xbox 360 games at the exact same time.”

While many Xbox 360 owners may consider flocking to their retailer of choice to pick up an Xbox One once backwards compatibility launches to a larger audience, we learned this feature is solely based on software emulation. While Microsoft plans on supporting the majority of Xbox 360 games this this feature, individual game support will ultimately depend on a title’s publisher. In other words, we’d be impressed if 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand and Sneak King are supported.

[Via GameSpot]