Fallout fans have been waiting so patiently (kind of) for updates on Fallout 5 or the long-rumored remakes, and while the Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas next-gen remasters are currently far from officially confirmed, there is actually an official way to play a remastered version of Fallout 3 right now. Better yet, it won’t cost you a penny.
Released in 2008, Fallout 3 was the first Fallout game from Bethesda, and the first to give players the chance to explore a fully 3D open world. Purists will tell you it lost some of the magic of the previous games in the transition, and that’s not entirely unfair. There’s certainly more of an emphasis on combat and shooting. But the end result is a great RPG that is, admittedly, a little rough around the edges by modern standards. Actually, to be fair, it was rough around the edges by 2008 standards.
This Fallout 3 “Remaster” Is Free Via Xbox Game Pass
Sometimes war changes, and that’s a good thing
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. It might not be the full-on remake that fans are waiting for, but if you’re not a PC gamer with access to mods, I would say this is objectively the best way to play Fallout 3 on console in 2026. You know, until that official remake launches. We all know it’s coming.
The caveat here is that this only polishes up the resolution and fps of Fallout 3. For better or worse, that means this version is still the game from 2008, with all the unique charm and janky glitches. One of the biggest things I noticed when going back to the game is that Washington DC is a genuine pain to navigate, with lots of dead-ends that can really kill the exploration vibe. Get past that and you’re in for a treat though.
Fallout Fans Look To The Future
There’s definitely something coming, right?
The great news is an official Fallout 3 remake is looking more likely with each passing day. If I were a betting man, I’d say an Oblivion-style stealth drop is coming, which would certainly be a heck of a way to keep fans happy until Fallout 5 finally releases.
Fallout 3 Already Has A Next-Gen Remaster, And You Can Play Free Now
