# xemu-project/xemu

Original Xbox Emulator for Windows, macOS, and Linux (Active Development)

Repository: https://github.com/xemu-project/xemu
Canonical: https://ross.abutalabs.com/products/xemu
Homepage: https://xemu.app
Language: C
License: NOASSERTION
License Family: other
Topics: original-xbox, xbox, emulator, hacktoberfest, emulation
Last push: 2026-08-24T03:35:21+00:00

## Health v2 (maintenance only)
Score: 91/100 (v2, computed 2026-09-03T02:39:23.370411+00:00)
- activity 99, release rhythm 75, longevity 100
- inputs: {"age_days": 2388, "days_push": 9, "days_rel": 86, "gap_med": 1, "n_releases_24m": 148}
- flags: no_license
- formula: round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10)

## Adoption (not part of the score)
Stars 4070, forks 502 (observed 2026-08-28T04:08:34.181925+00:00)

## What it is
xemu is a free, open-source low-level emulator of the original Microsoft Xbox console, built on QEMU, that runs Xbox games and homebrew on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It supports up to four controllers via SDL3, save states, render upscaling, and Xbox networking including System Link and tunneling services.

## Use cases
- play original xbox games on pc
- emulate original xbox on linux
- run xbox homebrew applications
- play system link games online with xbox emulator
- upscale xbox games to 1080p
- save states for xbox games
- connect emulator to real xbox for system link

## When to choose
- you want to play original Xbox disc images or homebrew on Windows, macOS, or Linux
- you need low-level hardware emulation for broad kernel/title compatibility
- you want network play with other emulators or real Xboxes via System Link or tunneling
- you want render upscaling, save states, and modern controller support

## When to avoid
- you want to emulate Xbox 360 or Xbox One games
- you cannot legally provide your own MCPX and BIOS dumps from a real Xbox
- you need USB peripheral passthrough or non-Xbox controller emulation (e.g., Steel Battalion)
- you require hot-plugging controllers on macOS

## Facets
- artifact type: application
- maturity: active
- function: game-engine, graphics, simulation, networking
- domain: gaming-tools, simulation, cross-platform
- platform: windows, cpp
- tags: emulator, original-xbox, console-emulation, qemu-based, save-states, system-link, low-level-emulation, sdl3, macos, linux, desktop

## Member repositories
- xemu-project/xemu (main) score 91

## Provenance
- Observed fields: from GitHub, fetched 2026-08-28T04:08:34.181925+00:00.
- Health v2: computed from the inputs above; adoption is never an input.
- Inferred fields (summary, facets, guidance): AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, on 2026-08-29T18:23:30.883275+00:00, confidence not recorded.
  - readme: https://github.com/xemu-project/xemu (fetched 2026-08-28T04:08:34.181925+00:00, sha c33d35dfe265)
  - homepage: https://xemu.app (fetched 2026-08-29T09:15:37.052607+00:00, sha d0bc4674d585)
  - site_page: https://xemu.app/docs/download (fetched 2026-08-29T09:15:37.061542+00:00, sha 168dd0239a31)
  - site_page: https://xemu.app/docs (fetched 2026-08-29T09:15:37.063519+00:00, sha 0183f4e46c20)
  - site_page: https://xemu.app/docs/faq (fetched 2026-08-29T09:15:37.065185+00:00, sha 8847cac05f43)
  - site_page: https://xemu.app/docs/dev (fetched 2026-08-29T09:15:37.067537+00:00, sha 874eb29a296b)
  - site_page: https://xemu.app/docs/controller (fetched 2026-08-29T09:15:37.069605+00:00, sha 1353f55bd0cb)
  - site_page: https://xemu.app/docs/snapshots (fetched 2026-08-29T09:15:37.071370+00:00, sha ffcfea8b5fcc)
  - site_page: https://xemu.app/docs/networking (fetched 2026-08-29T09:15:37.073126+00:00, sha b926caa34239)
- Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00.