What is an FPS Booster and how to take advantage of FPS Boost on Xbox Series X/S

When you hear about an “FPS booster” on consoles Xbox, actually refers to FPS Boost, an official feature designed to increase the frame rate in backwards compatible titles. More FPS means a smoother image, more precise controls, and, ultimately, a more refined gameplay feel that's noticeable from the first minute.

On PCs we tend to associate fluidity with the power of the graphics, but not everyone wants or can build an expensive computer; that's where Xbox Series X/S comes into play with a solution from the system itself that doubles or even quadruples the FPS on selected titles without asking for patches or tweaks from the developer.

What is an FPS Booster on Xbox (FPS Boost)

FPS Boost is a feature of Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, released in 2021, that uses hardware-level techniques to make backwards compatible games on Xbox One (and previous generations) go from 30 to 60 FPS, or from 60 to 120 FPS if the display allows it. In some very specific cases, the improvement can quadruple, reaching 120 FPS from the original 30 FPS.

The key is that all this happens without extra work or studies. downloads On your part, the console activates new execution paths so that the engine draws more frames in a stable manner. In other words, the console itself drives performance and get more out of the games as they're available in your library.

How it works and why it matters

FPS (frames per second) is the rate at which the GPU generates and displays images during gameplay: the higher the rate, the smoother and more responsive you'll notice. According to the Xbox team, these techniques make the engines render faster and with greater stability, providing a more immersive experience that goes beyond the original capabilities of the hardware for which those titles were designed.

As a general idea, if a game was running at 30 FPS on Xbox One, with FPS Boost it can reach 60 FPS on Series X/S, and if it was already running at 60, in some cases it goes up to 120 FPS. Titles like Star Wars Battlefront II or Titanfall especially benefit from taking advantage of 120 Hz monitors and televisions, while games like Skyrim or Fallout 4 go to 60 Hz, which is a considerable improvement.

Screen requirements and limitations

To enjoy 120 FPS increases, your TV or monitor must support 120 Hz; and for games that jump to 60 FPS from 30, it's recommended that your display natively support 60 Hz. The console negotiates with the display via HDMI, adapting the signal and resolution to what the panel allows; if the display doesn't support the required frequency, You will not see or be able to activate that upgrade..

This works very similarly to other functions such as Auto HDR: If your TV or monitor doesn't support the standard, the console won't enable the option. In short, the screen rules, and the console adjusts to ensure the quality of experience.

How to turn FPS Boost on or off on Xbox Series X/S

Although FPS Boost is applied automatically in many cases, there are specific titles where the feature isn't enabled by default. This happens because, to achieve the new frame rate, the console may reduce dynamic resolution or apply changes that, in those games, involve a small visual sacrificeFor example, Battlefield 1 or Fallout 76 allow you to enable FPS Boost, but with settings that prioritize fluidity over resolution.

Activating it is very simple and won't even take half a minute. With the game selected in the interface, press the Xbox button on the controller to open the guide, hover over the game, press the Menu button (the one with three lines), and go to "Manage games and add-ons." Inside, you'll see the title's details and the "Compatibility Options" section, from where you can choose to add games and add-ons. You can toggle Auto HDR and FPS Boost.

• Open the guide with the Xbox button and hover over the game you want to adjust. Keep your console updated to see all the options. It is a basic requirement.
• Press the Menu button (three lines) and choose “Manage games and add-ons” to access versions, save data, and “Compatibility options.” There's the switch.
• Toggle Auto HDR and FPS Boost on or off as desired, then close and restart the game to make it work. the improvement takes effect.

If you want to see it in action step by step, Xbox published an official video that clearly shows the process. In any case, it's so straightforward that in "less than half a minute" you'll have the feature activated and ready to play with. greater softness.

Compatible games and catalog evolution

When FPS Boost was introduced, Xbox enabled the feature in an initial batch of five games: Far Cry 4, New Super Lucky's Tale, Sniper Elite 4, UFC 4, and Watch Dogs 2. More titles soon followed, many of them the result of integrating Bethesda's catalogs and, later, EA's with EA Play in Game Pass. At an early stage, there was talk of "around 23 games" supported; as of today, the list far exceeds that figure and has been consolidated around almost a hundred games.

There are cases where the boost is only available on Series X and not Series S (due to power differences), and others where it's just the other way around. For example, it's been seen that Steep or MotoGP 20 show no improvement on Series X (because they already run at 60 FPS there), but they do framerate doubled on Series S to equalize the experience between models.

Below is a comprehensive and up-to-date list of games with FPS Boost and the target frequency on each console. Remember that where it says 120 Hz, you'll need a compatible panel to notice the difference, and in some cases the feature may be disabled by default for the reasons explained above.

As you can see, availability varies depending on the game and console. If a title already runs at 60 FPS on Series X, there's no point in enabling an additional mode, but on Series S it can be enabled to equate fluencyThis explains why you see "Not available" in one version and a clear improvement in the other.

Why don't some games have FPS Boost enabled by default?

Although most games automatically apply the enhancement, in some games the feature is unchecked. This is because doubling the frame rate may be necessary. reduce resolution or other parameters. Xbox prefers that you decide between higher FPS at a lower resolution or keeping the base resolution at a lower FPS.

In those cases, you have control from "Compatibility Options." Activate it if you prioritize responsiveness and fluidity, or leave it off if you prefer maximum sharpnessThere's no universally best option: it depends on the game and what you value most in each genre.

How to know if a game is supported and active

To check compatibility and feature status, open the Xbox Guide while the game is running, go to title management, and look for "Compatibility Options." There you'll see if FPS Boost is available, if it's turned on, and if Auto HDR can be applied. Important: You don't need to download patches, because the console does the magic without touching the original game.

Additionally, Xbox added indicators in the interface so you can see at a glance if the enhancement is active. And, as we mentioned, the company shared a short video tutorial that explains these steps very clearly, in case you'd like to see it with examples. onscreen.

Why can't all Xbox One games use FPS Boost?

It's not possible to apply this technique to the entire backwards compatible catalog. Some games are programmed to run at a fixed cadence; if you force the engine to double, you may encounter problems with physics, animations, or synchronizations designed for the game. original speedIn those cases, increasing FPS wouldn't be a real improvement, but rather a headache.

The Xbox team explains that they work closely with publishers and studios to expand the list when feasible and makes sense. There are titles in which they prefer not to activate FPS Boost because the developer "has plans for the franchise and will release its own updates," and in others, the intervention it is not technically safe without touching the source code.

Improved backward compatibility on Series X/S: more than just framerate

FPS Boost doesn't just come by itself. By running older games on Series X/S, you'll also enjoy faster loading times, better texture filtering, and Auto HDR in many titles. It's all part of the effort to Microsoft backwards compatibility, which wants to preserve the catalogue and, at the same time, make it play better on current hardware.

For the user, the benefits you get from your TV or monitor are enormous: if you have a 120 Hz panel, games compatible with 120 FPS offer exquisite response; if you stay at 60 Hz, the jump from 30 FPS is already noticeable. However, keep this in mind: without a compatible screen, the console adapts the output and you will not be able to activate modes that your panel does not support.

FPS Boost is one of the most welcome improvements of Series X/S for those who have a large Xbox One library: it allows you to relive classics, shooters, adventures or indies with a smoothness that approaches PC standards, without complicating yourself with configurations or spending a fortune on hardware, and with the peace of mind that everything happens transparently from the console itself.

Related article:

Backwards compatibility on the next generation of Xbox: key features, alliances, and what's to come

Isaac

Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.