Xenia review
A focused Xbox 360 emulator with broad graphics, input, and compatibility tooling.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Xenia is an experimental, open-source emulator for Xbox 360 games on compatible computers. It is aimed at developers, researchers, educators, and users running legally obtained Xbox 360 game dumps. Windows x64 builds are available, while Linux builds are provided through the Canary and Edge branches. Its scope is deliberately focused: the supported system is Xbox 360, rather than a broad collection of console generations.
For graphics and input, Xenia provides Direct3D 12 and Vulkan-compatible support, resolution scaling up to documented 3x settings, and AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution upscaling. Controller and keyboard options include XInput, SDL2, and keyboard input. A game compatibility list gives the project a defined way to track supported titles, which is useful when evaluating whether a particular Xbox 360 game is a fit. The project also includes community-developed branches such as Canary and a Netplay fork for online multiplayer development.
Xenia suits users who want an open-source Xbox 360 emulation project with configurable graphics options, multiple input APIs, compatibility tracking, and development-oriented branches. Its experimental status and focused platform scope make it less suitable for someone seeking a general-purpose emulator for several systems. It also does not provide official Xbox Live services, and it does not support original Xbox backward compatibility. Choose Xenia when Xbox 360 emulation development, graphics configuration, or project research is the priority; consider an alternative when broader console coverage or official Xbox network services are required.
Xenia pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Supports Direct3D 12, Vulkan, resolution scaling, and FSR
- Tracks game compatibility and supports XInput, SDL2, and keyboard input
- Offers Windows, Linux, and a netplay development fork
- Where it doesn't
- Designed for Xbox 360 emulation rather than multiple console systems
- Linux support is provided through selected Canary and Edge branches
- Does not support official Xbox Live services or original Xbox backward compatibility
Xenia fact sheet, pricing and score →
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