Xbox Live Arcade games coming to your Windows 8 PC

Windows 8 users will now be able to play selected Xbox Live Arcade Games on their computer, with Microsoft Studios launching Play and selecting the first 15 games for the service.

Microsoft is desperate to show the potential for Windows 8 and compatibility across devices is clearly an easy win for the technology giant.

To that end Microsoft Studios has launched Play - an initiative that will allow Xbox Live Arcade games to be played on Windows 8 devices.

One game, Toy Soldiers, will not run on Windows RT, but the rest should run on any Windows 8 device, including the Microsoft Surface.

The launch line-up all allows for free trials of the games, which include some familiar offerings.

The list in full is:

• Toy Soldiers 4
• Elements: Special Edition
• Hydro Thunder Hurricane, Rocket Riot 3D
• Reckless Racing Ultimate
• Microsoft Solitaire Collection
• Microsoft Mahjong
• Microsoft Minesweeper
• Taptiles
• Adera
• Pinball FX2
• Wordament
• Gunstringer: Dead Man Running
• Ilomilo+, Skulls of the Shogun.