xemu

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xemu
Xemu2.png
Developer(s) Matt Borgerson and contributors
Latest version 0.7.134 [+]
Active Yes
Platform(s) Windows
Linux
macOS
Architecture(s) x86, ARM
Emulates Xbox
Compatibility Compatibility list
Website xemu.app
Support ($) Patreon
Programmed in C, C++
License GPLv2 and others
Source code GitHub
BIOS/Keys Required

xemu is a free and open-source low-level Xbox emulator by Matt Borgerson continuing much of the work done on XQEMU. Focuses on stability, performance, and ease of use.

Xemu GUI and screens

Contents

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      Latest builds

Overview

xemu is an active fork of the XQEMU project, which is based on the very popular and highly actively maintained QEMU full system emulator project. xemu is a low-level, full-system emulator which emulates the actual hardware of the Xbox. It is the best Xbox emulator around, and can play 5x more playable titles than Cxbx-Reloaded with better performance than XQEMU.

Compatibility

The announcements thread in the official Discord channel of this xemu emulator (see external links below) regularly posts updates on progress of user tests and compatibility levels.

Setting up

In order to actually run xemu, you must have a copy of the stuff that a real Xbox needs when it turns on, check out the getting started section on the official wiki for instructions. The real MCPX and flash ROM are required, but one can still boot and play games using the dummy dashboard HDD image.

Additionally, the emulator will automatically generate an EEPROM to be used alongside the rest of the BIOS and system files. This is useable, but will return a "Please insert a valid Xbox disc" error when trying to launch a non-USA title. This is because xemu generates an American EEPROM file. This can be easily fixed by modifying the file with a tool like XboxEepromEditor. Other settings, such as console language, DVD zone or video resolution, are also available.

System files

See emulator files for download links.

Included

EEPROM

The eeprom.bin file is included with xemu, the original Xbox emulator, allowing users to emulate the EEPROM settings necessary for proper console operation.

Required

BIOS

"Your MCPX and BIOS dump should be for a 1.0 Xbox. It's suggested that your MCPX dump be 1.0 and that a compatible BIOS image be used (users have reported success with "COMPLEX 4627")." - https://xemu.app/docs/faq/#q-what-bios-do-i-need-to-use

Boot rom

MCPX 1.0. See emulator files for download links.

HDD

Copyright-free Xbox HDD image, as the original (non-blank) Xbox HDD image that is copyrighted is not required.

ISO game files must be converted to XISO

Unlike all other Xbox emulators (with the exception of XQEMU), xemu will only load games as disk images in the ISO format. Redump ISOs currently must be adjusted slightly by using the instructions in the Disc Images guide. Games as extracted folders in the "HDD Ready" format can be converted to ISOs using extract-xiso. It is also possible to install a custom dashboard such as UnleashX that supports installing and loading the games from the emulated hard drive.

External links