Original Xbox Games with Xbox 360
Offline Play with Original Xbox Games
Early shipments of the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system (those shipped in late 2005 and early 2006, for instance) feature a Family Settings screen (under Console Settings) called "Original Xbox Games" that lets you determine whether your Xbox 360 system will permit gameplay with original Xbox games.
The reason? Originally, Xbox 360 Family Settings, including restrictions based on ESRB or other worldwide game ratings, did not apply to original Xbox games. Because of this—and depending on when you purchased your Xbox 360 system—you might have the option to block all access to original Xbox games from the Xbox 360 console.
To allow or block access to original Xbox games from Xbox 360 consoles that have never connected to Xbox LIVE:
- Go to My Xbox and open System Settings.
- Select Family Settings, Console Controls.
- Select Original Xbox Games.
- Select either Allowed or Blocked. If access is blocked, users will not be able to play original Xbox games with this Xbox 360 console.
- If you haven't set a pass code, select Set Pass Code from the Console Controls screen and follow the on-screen instructions to create a code that prevents unauthorized changes to your settings. For more detail, see Pass Codes for Xbox 360.
- After you've set your code, select Done from the Console Controls screen. When prompted, select Yes, save changes to put your new settings into effect.
An update that lets you select rating levels for original Xbox games, as well as Xbox 360 games, was released shortly after the launch of Xbox 360. If you have a connection to Xbox LIVE, your console was automatically updated, applying your Family Settings to both Xbox 360 and original Xbox game titles.
Note
This update will remove the "Original Xbox Games" setting from the Xbox Dashboard.
Please be aware that the update will only occur in systems that connect to Xbox LIVE. Xbox LIVE memberships require high-speed Internet access.
For information about Xbox LIVE memberships, see www.xbox.com/live.
To set permissions for Xbox 360 gameplay based on game ratings, see Game Ratings for Xbox 360.
Online Play with Original Xbox Games
Xbox 360 Family Settings for Xbox LIVE gameplay apply only to Xbox LIVE activity on Xbox 360 consoles. Family Settings that are specific to Xbox LIVE gameplay—such as your settings for Xbox LIVE communications and profile sharing—are not applied when your child plays Xbox LIVE–enabled original Xbox games on either Xbox 360 or original Xbox consoles.
Because of this, you have the option of selectively blocking your child's access to Xbox LIVE only when he or she is playing original Xbox games—even if you permit offline play for original Xbox games and even if you permit access to Xbox LIVE with Xbox 360 games.
(As described above, however, your permissions based on game ratings will successfully permit or prohibit gameplay, depending on your setting and on the game. Unlike the above setting for offline play with original Xbox games, this feature will persist even after your Xbox 360 system has connected to Xbox LIVE.)
Note
You must have a high-speed Internet connection and an Xbox LIVE membership to play on Xbox LIVE. For more information, see Join Xbox LIVE.
To determine whether your child can play original Xbox games on Xbox LIVE:
- Go to My Xbox and open System Settings.
Select Family Settings, Xbox LIVE Controls and sign in using the e-mail address and password you used when you set up your child's Xbox LIVE account. - Select Online Gameplay, Original Xbox Online Games.
- Choose one of the following settings:
- Select Allowed to allow your child to play on Xbox LIVE from an original Xbox console.
- Select Blocked to block your child from playing on Xbox LIVE from an original Xbox console.
