Editor’s Note & Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly reported that a remastered version of Fallout 3 was available on Xbox Game Pass. This was based on a misrepresentation of an opinion piece from Screen Rant. We regret the error and have updated the story with accurate information.
Contrary to a wave of reports circulating online, a remastered version of Bethesda’s classic RPG Fallout 3 has not been released and is not available on Xbox Game Pass. The confusion originated from a Screen Rant article that highlighted how the game benefits from enhanced performance on modern Xbox Series X|S consoles through backward compatibility—not from a new, official remaster.
The opinion piece stated: “One of the best things about the Xbox Series X|S is that it can take older games and give them a boost in resolution and framerate. That means classic Fallout titles like Fallout 3 and New Vegas can be accessed via Xbox Game Pass and played at much, much higher quality.”
This was interpreted by several outlets, including our own, as an announcement of an official remaster. Bethesda has made no such announcement.
The original Fallout 3, released in 2008, is playable on Xbox Game Pass and does indeed run with improved resolution and framerate on newer hardware—a feature of Microsoft’s backward compatibility program. However, this is fundamentally different from a full remaster, which typically involves updated textures, models, lighting, and other significant overhauls, akin to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered released last year.
Additionally, some erroneous reports claimed the game was currently free. Fallout 3 is available for purchase at $9.99 on the Xbox store or is included as part of a Game Pass subscription.
While fan hope for a proper Fallout 3 Remastered remains high—especially following the success of the Fallout TV series and Bethesda’s pattern of revisiting classics—no such project has been confirmed. We apologize for any confusion our earlier report may have caused and are committed to providing accurate updates should Bethesda make any official announcement in the future.
