# Best Xbox emulator: xemu, the Gold Cartridge pick

Page: https://whichemulator.wtf/xbox/ · Reference: WEM-XBOX-YA8O

The Ask API at `GET https://whichemulator.wtf/ask` answers questions from the same data as this page, and it is the only place the setup steps are published. It takes `q` (the question, 3 to 500 characters) and an optional `page` (a local path such as `/xbox/`). It returns JSON `{answer, consoles, sources, follow_ups}`, or Markdown when the request sends `Accept: text/markdown`. No key; 30 requests a minute per IP. Guide: https://whichemulator.wtf/skill.md

Microsoft Xbox, Microsoft, 2001.

## Recommended: xemu

whichemulator.wtf calls its recommendation for each system the Gold Cartridge pick. For the Xbox, the Gold Cartridge pick is xemu.

xemu emulates the original Xbox at a low level, which is why it runs most of the library when everything before it managed a fraction. It does resolution scaling, save states and even online play through tunnelling services. It's the only serious option.

Runs on Windows · Mac · Linux. Open source. Download: https://xemu.app

**Files required:** xemu needs the MCPX boot ROM and a BIOS image dumped from your own Xbox. Its docs list exactly which versions work. For the hard drive image, xemu offers a free, clean one, or you can dump your console's drive.

## Alternatives

- [Cxbx-Reloaded](https://cxbx-reloaded.co.uk) (Windows, open source): A different, high-level approach that still sees development, but it runs far fewer games than xemu. Only worth trying if a specific game fails in xemu and works here.

## RetroArch cores

There is no original Xbox core.

## Hardware

- CPU: Custom Intel Pentium III, 733 MHz
- GPU: Nvidia NV2A, 233 MHz
- Memory: 64MB shared
- Storage: 8GB hard drive
- Library: ~1,000 games

## Notes

### Why xemu won

Older Xbox emulators tried to shortcut the hardware by intercepting calls to Microsoft's libraries. That breaks whenever a game does something unusual. xemu, built on QEMU, emulates the actual machine instead, so games behave as they would on the console.

The result is that the vast majority of tested games reach playable or close to it, and the gap to every other project is enormous.

## Support the developers

- [Patreon](https://www.patreon.com/mborgerson)

## Questions the Ask API answers

- [How do I set up xemu for the Xbox?](https://whichemulator.wtf/ask?q=How+do+I+set+up+xemu+for+the+Xbox%3F&page=%2Fxbox%2F&via=page)
- [Which Xbox emulator should I use on Android?](https://whichemulator.wtf/ask?q=Which+Xbox+emulator+should+I+use+on+Android%3F&page=%2Fxbox%2F&via=page)