xqemu

ORIGINAL XBOX EMULATOR

xqemu

XQEMU is an open-source, low-level, full-system emulator that aims to emulate the original Microsoft Xbox hardware (and related Chihiro arcade hardware) by building on QEMU. It is intended to run original Xbox software by providing emulated CPU, GPU, USB input, IDE/ATAPI storage and other Xbox-specific devices; it requires user-supplied Xbox firmware/BIOS/Mc

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xqemu emulator screenshot.

original xboxPRIMARY SYSTEM

History documentedPROJECT BEGAN

Open sourcePROJECT MODEL

WHY IT MATTERS

Why XQEMU exists

XQEMU exists to provide a low-level, hardware-accurate emulation of the original Xbox so developers, preservationists, and enthusiasts can run, debug, and research Xbox system and software behavior. It is built as a specialized QEMU machine that implements Xbox-specific devices and subsystems rather than being a high-level reimplementation of the console.

BEST FOR

Best use case

Running and debugging original Xbox software where low-level hardware behavior matters (development, compatibility research, preservation). Useful for running many games and homebrew where the required firmware/data files are provided by the user.

The people behind xqemu

History and relationship to xemu

XQEMU was developed as a QEMU-based project to emulate original Xbox hardware. The project maintained documentation and downloads at xqemu.com and on GitHub (xqemu/xqemu). Parts of the community and development effort evolved into the xemu project, which describes itself as a continuation of XQEMU; xemu focuses on building a more user-friendly emulator with prebuilt binaries and broader platform packaging while continuing low-level QEMU-based work. The XQEMU codebase and website remain primary references for low-level device emulation details and build instructions. Because the project developed as an open-source effort with contributions across repositories, the project history is documented across the official site and GitHub rather than summarized here as a single founding year.

What xqemu supports

Original Xbox (hardware-level emulation)
Sega Chihiro arcade (related, partial support mentioned in project descriptions)
Windows (builds and source), macOS (builds and source), Linux (builds and source)
Requires user-supplied original Xbox firmware/BIOS and MCPX dump and game disc images or HDD image

Download and availability

OFFICIAL DOWNLOADS

Get xqemu

Official source code, releases and prebuilt binaries (when published) are provided from the project's GitHub releases page. Official documentation and build instructions are published at the project site and its documentation pages.

Get xqemu ↗

DOCUMENTATION

Official documentation

Read the official configuration, compatibility, and troubleshooting material before changing advanced options.

Read official documentation ↗

Broken or missing download? Emulator projects move and official links sometimes change. Please contact Retro Replay so the source can be verified and updated.

xqemu setup guide

Setup note: This setup guide focuses on practical, emulator-specific steps for obtaining, building (or using binaries), and running XQEMU. It assumes you will supply any required Xbox firmware/BIOS, MCPX dump, and game disc or HDD images yourself; these are not provided by the project.

1. Verify official project and obtain sources or releases: Visit the official project repository (github.com/xqemu/xqemu) to get source code and check the Releases tab for any published binaries. Also consult the official project website and documentation (xqemu.com and its docs) for up-to-date instructions.
2. Confirm platform and install build dependencies: XQEMU is implemented as a QEMU machine and must be built against a suitable toolchain. On Linux, install development packages required to build QEMU (gcc/clang, make, python, pkg-config, libglib2.0-dev, libfdt-dev, libpixman-dev, libsdl2-dev and other dependencies referenced in the project's build docs). On Windows and macOS follow the project's platform-specific build notes on xqemu.com/docs and the GitHub README. Exact dependency lists can change; follow the project's current documentation.
3. Obtain required Xbox firmware and dumps: XQEMU is a low-level emulator: it does not include or provide Xbox BIOS, MCPX firmware, or HDD contents. The emulator's documentation states you must supply a BIOS/MCPX dump from an original Xbox (e.g., a 1.0 Xbox dump recommended by the FAQ) and any game disc images (ISOs) or HDD images you intend to run. Place these files where the emulator expects them; consult the project docs for exact filenames and paths.
4. Build the emulator (from source): Clone the official GitHub repository. Configure and build like a QEMU system target per the project's build instructions: run the configure script with any XQEMU-specific options, then make. The project documentation gives example commands and build hints (the built binary is often an x86 softmmu/qemu-system-i386-style binary named xqemu or qemu-system-i386 depending on build). Use the project's docs for platform-specific variations and cross-compilation tips.
5. Prepare storage and game images: Create or supply a hard-disk image (qcow2 or other format supported by QEMU) if you want persistent HDD state. For disc-based games supply a disc image (ISO) or configure passthrough to a physical drive. Follow the project's example command-lines for attaching disc and HDD images; the docs show block device options and recommended layouts.
6. Controller and input setup: XQEMU leverages QEMU/SDL input backends. Connect an SDL2-compatible gamepad or use keyboard mapping according to the project's input docs. The project documents XID (Xbox controller) emulation details and how to map a modern gamepad to the Xbox controller emulation (including VID/PID handling). Check the input page for example -usb options and device parameters.
7. Launch options and common runtime flags: Use the example invocation lines in the project's getting-started documentation. Typical options include specifying the machine, CPU, attaching the CD-ROM or disk image, enabling USB device emulation for controllers, and logging/debug output. The docs include sample command lines showing how to replace the qemu-system binary with xqemu.exe if using prebuilt binaries.
8. Troubleshooting and performance considerations: Because XQEMU is a low-level emulator it can be CPU/GPU intensive. The project's troubleshooting pages discuss common problems (input mapping, HDD permissions, BIOS compatibility). For improved performance, ensure host platform has appropriate CPU features enabled and follow any accelerator/TCG guidance in the project's and QEMU's documentation. When performance or compatibility is insufficient, consult the project issue tracker on GitHub for current workarounds or patches.

Software reminder: XQEMU does not include commercial game images, Xbox firmware, MCPX dumps, or other copyrighted content; you must supply those yourself from your own hardware or legal backups.