A new project called XeniOS, derived from the Xenia PC emulator, allows running classic Xbox 360 games on Apple devices. In an experimental phase, it requires manual installation and has limited compatibility: out of 195 titles tested, only 48 are considered playable. This development marks a step forward for emulating Microsoft's console in the Apple ecosystem. 🎮
The technical challenge of emulating PowerPC on Apple Silicon chips ⚙️
XeniOS faces the challenge of translating the PowerPC CPU instructions from the Xbox 360 to the ARM architecture of Apple Silicon chips. This process, along with emulating the Xenos GPU and the console's operating system, consumes many resources. Performance varies depending on the device model and the version of iOS or macOS, which explains why only games like Dragon Age: Origins or Borderlands work acceptably for now.
The compatibility list: a digital battlefield 🗺️
Checking which games work on XeniOS is an experience reminiscent of opening a box of chocolates, but where half are empty. Seeing Halo 3 running stuttering while Fable 2 refuses even to greet from the menu is a reminder that emulation is an art of patience. At least we can console ourselves with BioShock, which seems to feel at home among the circuits of an iPhone.