Skylanders has become one of the most requested franchises for a possible Xbox backward compatibility revival, and that could give Microsoft an unexpected nostalgia opportunity. A new user analysis from XboxGamePreservation.com shows the Activision series leading requests ahead of other major licensed properties, including Transformers and Spider Man.
The result may surprise older players who missed the Skylanders era, but it makes sense when you look at the audience. Skylanders was huge in the early 2010s, and many of the kids who grew up with it are now adults. That puts the franchise in the same nostalgia window that has helped older Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox properties return to attention.
Microsoft now owns Activision Blizzard, which means it controls Skylanders, Spyro, Crash Bandicoot, and several other family friendly franchises with strong recognition. If Xbox really is looking at ways to celebrate its 25th anniversary through backward compatibility, Skylanders could be one of the most interesting names in its library.
Why Skylanders is suddenly getting attention again
Skylanders started as a Spyro related project before becoming one of the biggest toys to life franchises in gaming. Players bought physical figures and placed them on a portal accessory to bring characters into the game.
At its peak, the series was everywhere. It helped create a market that later included Disney Infinity and Nintendo’s amiibo line. Activision released several games and a large number of collectible figures before the trend faded.
| Franchise detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Skylanders | Most requested franchise in recent preservation voting |
| Original link | Began as a Spyro related project |
| Main feature | Physical toys that unlock in game characters |
| Core audience | Gen Z players who grew up with the series |
| Current owner | Microsoft through Activision Blizzard |
| Possible path | Backward compatibility or full revival |
The toys to life market cooled down years ago, but nostalgia can change how older franchises are viewed. What looked like a dead trend in one decade can become a revival candidate in the next.
Gen Z nostalgia could be a real market for Xbox
Many Gen Z players are now in their 20s. That means franchises from the late 2000s and early 2010s are starting to carry the same emotional weight that Mario, Pokémon, Halo, and classic PlayStation games carry for older generations.
Skylanders fits that timing well. For many younger adults, it represents childhood collections, local co op, colorful characters, and a period when physical toys and video games were closely tied together.
Microsoft has often focused on legacy Xbox fans, but Skylanders would target a slightly different audience. It could appeal to nostalgic Gen Z players, parents buying for kids, and collectors who still have old figures stored away.
Backward compatibility could be the safest first step
A full Skylanders revival would be expensive and complicated, especially because the series was built around physical toys and portal accessories. Producing new figures, managing retail inventory, and rebuilding the business model would require a serious investment.
Backward compatibility is a safer way to test demand. If Xbox can make older Skylanders games playable on modern consoles, it could measure interest before committing to a larger revival.
The main challenge is support for the portal accessory and the many physical figures. If Microsoft can solve those hardware and licensing issues, Skylanders could become one of the more unique additions to a renewed backward compatibility program.
Toys for Bob makes the timing more interesting
Skylanders also connects to Toys for Bob, the studio that worked heavily on the franchise and later became known again for Crash Bandicoot and Spyro. The studio is now working on a new Spyro project, which has already drawn major attention from fans.
That matters because Spyro and Skylanders share history. If the new Spyro game performs well, Microsoft may have a clearer reason to look at other colorful Activision franchises that still have emotional value.
Skylanders may not need to return exactly as it was. A modern version could use digital figures, collectible cosmetics, physical toys, or a hybrid approach. The key would be finding a model that respects the original idea without repeating the retail problems that hurt the genre years ago.
Microsoft has a large nostalgia library but needs a clear strategy
The larger point is that Microsoft owns many franchises that could be valuable if handled with care. Skylanders, Spyro, Crash, Banjo Kazooie, Guitar Hero, Tony Hawk, and several other names all carry some level of nostalgia.
The problem is that reviving old IP requires patience, cultural understanding, and investment. It is not enough to own the rights. Microsoft would need to know which audience each franchise serves and how to bring it back without making it feel like a quick cash grab.
Skylanders is a good example. The brand could work again, but only if Xbox understands why people loved it in the first place. It was not only about toys. It was about collecting characters, sharing them with friends, and seeing those figures come alive in a bright adventure game.
Skylanders may be more valuable than Xbox expected
The strong backward compatibility demand suggests that Skylanders still has a community. It may not be the loudest audience on social media, but it is large enough to show up when preservation voting opens.
For Xbox, that should be a signal. Skylanders may not look like an obvious priority next to Call of Duty, Diablo, or World of Warcraft, but it could fill a very different role in Microsoft’s portfolio. It is colorful, family friendly, collectible, and tied to a generation that is now ready for nostalgia.
A backward compatibility push would be the smart first move. If that performs well, Microsoft could explore a broader return. Skylanders may seem like an unlikely Xbox revival candidate, but the numbers suggest it could be one of the company’s most overlooked opportunities.
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