How to connect Xbox 360 consoles together for system link play

This article describes how to link two or more Xbox 360 consoles together to play a single game from multiple consoles (system link play). You can include both original Xbox 360 and Xbox 360 S consoles in system link play.

System link play

System link play is a form of multiplayer gaming that allows you to connect 2 Xbox 360 consoles with a cable or up to 16 consoles over a network. With linked consoles, multiple players can play the same game. This type of multiplayer gaming is different from split-screen multiplayer gaming, in which all the players are connected to the same console.


Before you set up a system link, make sure you have the following items:

• An Xbox 360 game that supports system link play.
  
  Tip Look on the back of the game box for the system link play icon and information. The game box or the game manual will tell you how many players can play a system link match for that game.
• A game disc of the same game for each console, with the same game version, maps, and mission updates.
• A television or monitor for each console.
• A system link cable or crossover cable for each console, an Ethernet hub or switch with enough open ports to connect the consoles together, or a wireless networking adapter for every console.

Method 1: Connecting two Xbox 360 consoles together (wired connection)

1. Turn off both consoles.
2. Connect one system link cable or an Ethernet crossover cable to the Ethernet port on the back of each console, linking the two consoles together.
   • On the original Xbox 360 console, the Ethernet port is beside the A/V port.
     
     
     
   • On the Xbox 360 S console, the Ethernet port is below the Aux port.
     
     
     
3. Connect each Xbox 360 console to a separate TV or monitor.
   
   
   
4. Turn on both consoles, and follow the game instructions for system link game play.
   
   Note For system link play, both consoles must have the same game, game version, maps, and mission updates.

Method 2: Connecting more than two consoles together (wired connection)

To connect more than two consoles together, you need a network device such as a network hub, switch, or router. Here's how to connect the consoles:

1. Turn off the consoles.
2. Connect each console to a separate TV or monitor.
3. Connect each console to the networking device (hub, switch, or router) by using Ethernet crossover cables.
4. Turn on the networking device, and then turn on the consoles.
5. Follow the game instructions to start system link play.
   
   Note For system link play, all linked consoles must have the same game, game version, maps, and mission updates.

Method 3: Connecting two to four consoles together (wireless connection)

You can connect two to four Xbox 360 consoles together for system link play by using Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapters or the built-in wireless networking in an Xbox 360 S console. Each console's wireless networking adapter communicates with the other adapters. An Internet connection isn't necessary to create this type of link, and the console-to-console connection is typically temporary.


Note You cannot mix wireless and wired connections in the same system link play configuration.

1. Turn off the consoles.
2. Attach a wireless networking adapter to each original Xbox 360 console, and make sure the adapter is installed and set up.
   
   
   
   
   
   For information about installing a wireless networking adapter, see Connect a wireless adapter.
   
   Note The Xbox 360 S console has built-in wireless and does not require a wireless networking adapter.
3. Turn all of the consoles on.
4. Create the link between the consoles. Here's how:
   1. On each console, go to My Xbox, and then select System Settings.
   2. Select Network Settings.
      • If you are using the latest version of the dashboard:
        1. From the Available Networks screen, select Advanced Settings.
        2. Select CreateAd-Hoc Network.
        3. Enter the name of what you want to call the wireless network, and then select Done.
           
           The wireless ad-hoc network has now been created. Each player can connect to this network from their console by selecting the wireless network name you created from the Available Network screen.
      • If you are using an older version of the Xbox Dashboard, select Configure Network, then:
        1. On the Basic Settings tab, select Wireless Mode.
           
           
           
        2. Select Scan for Networks.
        3. Select Create Ad-Hoc Network, enter the name of what you want to call the wireless network, and select Done.
        4. Exit System Settings.
           
           Each player can connect to this network by selecting Scan for Networks, and then selecting the wireless network name that you created.
5. Follow the game instructions to start system link play.
   
   Note For system link play, all linked consoles must have the same game, game version, maps, and mission updates.

6. Xbox Support

   Please visit the following website for information about how to contact Xbox Support: