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How to Play Older Games on an Xbox 360

Although the Xbox 360 is capable of playing high-definition games with improved graphics, it can still run original Xbox games. However, gamers can not simply insert an original Xbox game disc into the 360 and expect it to boot up. Before being able to run original games, two requirements must be met: the required system update must be installed on the system and the game update must be installed on the hard drive.

Things You'll Need

Xbox Live
Hard drive

Instructions

- 1
  Log in to your Xbox Live account on your Xbox 360 to check for available system updates. The NXE update, released in 2008, is the required update to play all backward-compatible original Xbox games. If you already have the NXE update, skip this step.
- 2
  Check the website Xbox.com to ensure your original Xbox game is backward compatible. See the references section for a direct link to the list.
- 3
  Insert your compatible original Xbox game into your console and make sure you are still connected to Xbox Live. Your console must download an update in order to play the game.
- 4
  Accept the request to update the game. After the update installs, the game can be played on your Xbox 360. You must complete steps two through four every time you wish to play a different original Xbox game.

Xbox 360