XeFu Emulator Discovered Inside XBOX Backward Compatibility Games

XBOX Backward Compatibility on PC is now available through the XBOX app, bringing classic console games, achievements, and improved graphics options to Windows.

Supported games can offer up to 4x resolution scaling, VSync, and additional graphics settings. Microsoft has also confirmed that more backward-compatible titles will arrive over time.

XBOX 360 Components Found in PC Game Files

Developer Nathan, also known as TheLunarixus, examined the PC files included with Fuzion Frenzy.

The package reportedly contains XEX2 and STFS markers commonly associated with XBOX 360 software. Nathan also found XBOX 360-related kernel strings, including references to the “XENON KERNEL.”

These findings provide more information about how Microsoft runs original XBOX games through the XBOX app on Windows.

Microsoft Uses a Two-Stage Emulation System

Microsoft previously developed an emulator called Xenon Fusion, also known as XeFu, to run original XBOX games on XBOX 360 consoles.

The Windows version reportedly starts by loading an XBOX 360 environment. That environment then launches XeFu, which runs the original XBOX game.

In practice, the PC emulates an XBOX 360 environment, which then runs the original XBOX emulator.

Despite this additional emulation layer, the minimum GPU requirements for supported games remain relatively modest.

More Original XBOX Games Could Be Coming

The files reportedly contain additional references to original XBOX games beyond the titles currently available on PC.

Microsoft has already said it plans to expand the backward compatibility library over time. However, the company has not announced a complete list of upcoming classic games.

Future releases could bring more original XBOX titles to the XBOX PC app with achievements and improved visual settings.

Could XBOX 360 Games Also Come to PC?

The findings suggest Microsoft already has an XBOX 360 execution environment working on Windows.

In theory, XBOX 360 games could run directly inside this environment without requiring the XeFu emulator used for original XBOX titles.

Microsoft has not confirmed plans to bring XBOX 360 backward-compatible games to PC. However, the components found in the files indicate that the technical foundation may already exist.

In other news, the latest XBOX Free Play Days lineup has been revealed, while Microsoft has started testing free XBOX Cloud Gaming supported by advertisements.

Via VideoCardz