Difference between revisions of "Xbox emulators"

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(Emulation issues)
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==Emulation issues==
 
==Emulation issues==
The common misconception with the Xbox is that due to being x86-based, it should be easier to emulate. This couldn't be more wrong <ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20130517194502/http://www.ngemu.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132032</ref>. While the x86 architecture itself is fairly well documented, it is HUGE, as well as the fact that the specific hardware components within the Xbox are not very well documented at all, especially the Nvidia components. This has meant that overall compatibility of emulators for Xbox have been extremely low, supporting only [http://shogun3d-cxbx.blogspot.com/2009/11/cxbx-compatibility-list-updated.html a handful of games].
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<span style="color:red;">'''NO EMULATORS ADVANCED ENOUGH TO RUN COMMERCIAL GAMES PROPERLY EXIST YET. <br/>THAT YOUTUBE VIDEO IS PROBABLY A SCAM.<br/>YOU CAN GET THE REAL HARDWARE OR A TIME MACHINE.'''</span>
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Halo got a wrapper application (Cxbx and Dxbx) that could get it to a perfectly playable state on PC. That said - that wasn't a proper emulator. The focus was on trying to link Xbox instructions to Windows x86 calls, not recreating the hardware. Nothing else was emulated. A proper attempt to recreate the hardware came with a later heavy revision for Cxbx, and XQEMU.  
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Due to a lack of interest, or in some case very toxic behavior or potential legal threats towards devs, and the misconception that all Xbox games got PS2/PC/GC ports (that couldn't be farther from the truth), the Xbox 1 emulation scene is almost dead at the moment.
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Compounded to this is the high level entry for the effort involved: emulating a complex (and partially undocumented) x86 CPU from scratch, undocumented NVIDIA graphical and sound components, obscure BIOS for each hardware revision posing problems with lots of stuff including video rendering. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20130517194502/http://www.ngemu.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132032 More]) There's progress nevertheless, but it's slow and interest is very low.
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Compatibility is very low at the moment, around 61 games boot at all in cxbc, with around a dozen in a playable state ([http://shogun3d-cxbx.blogspot.com/2009/11/cxbx-compatibility-list-updated.html List]) but BIOS emulation is progressing somewhat.
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Revision as of 21:56, 24 January 2015

The Xbox console and controller

The Xbox is a 6th generation console produced by Microsoft in 2001. Known originally as the DirectXbox, this console is notable for essentially being a PC, to the point that some components can be upgraded and have games utilize the increased capabilities properly, as a result of using components from both Intel and Nvidia, as well as being x86-based. It is, in theory, the most powerful console of the 6th generation as a result (in practice however, the GameCube's architecture allowed for better optimization and more impressive technical feats).

Emulators

PC
Name Operating System(s) Latest Version Active Recommended
Cxbx Windows Git
Dxbx Windows 0.5
Xenoborg Windows r19
XQEMU Windows, Linux, OS X Git
Consoles
Name Operating System(s) Latest Version Active Recommended
Xbox 360 Xbox 360 Patch based

Comparisons

Consoles

  • Xbox 360 is backwards compatible, but it is not 100% like the Wii is with the GameCube. While some work off the bat, some need patches downloaded and even then there are still issues with many games from graphical glitches and slowdown to full blown programming fails (falling through floors in Half Life 2).

Emulation issues

NO EMULATORS ADVANCED ENOUGH TO RUN COMMERCIAL GAMES PROPERLY EXIST YET.
THAT YOUTUBE VIDEO IS PROBABLY A SCAM.
YOU CAN GET THE REAL HARDWARE OR A TIME MACHINE.

Halo got a wrapper application (Cxbx and Dxbx) that could get it to a perfectly playable state on PC. That said - that wasn't a proper emulator. The focus was on trying to link Xbox instructions to Windows x86 calls, not recreating the hardware. Nothing else was emulated. A proper attempt to recreate the hardware came with a later heavy revision for Cxbx, and XQEMU.

Due to a lack of interest, or in some case very toxic behavior or potential legal threats towards devs, and the misconception that all Xbox games got PS2/PC/GC ports (that couldn't be farther from the truth), the Xbox 1 emulation scene is almost dead at the moment.

Compounded to this is the high level entry for the effort involved: emulating a complex (and partially undocumented) x86 CPU from scratch, undocumented NVIDIA graphical and sound components, obscure BIOS for each hardware revision posing problems with lots of stuff including video rendering. (More) There's progress nevertheless, but it's slow and interest is very low.

Compatibility is very low at the moment, around 61 games boot at all in cxbc, with around a dozen in a playable state (List) but BIOS emulation is progressing somewhat.

References