So you want to play Xbox One games and Xbox 360 games from the same source? Well, there's an unofficial way to make it happen and it's not actually for sale. Nevertheless, it's a really cool device called the Xbook Duo that combines the Xbox One and Xbox 360 into one central location. If that sounds kind of confusing it's because it's all kinds of Jerry-rigging awesomeness.
Ed Zarick – now (in)famous for turning the Xbox One and PS4 into portable gaming devices where you can take them with you wherever you go, plug them into a wall and game to your heart's content – is back with a new and improved Xbook Duo. Zarick seems to be bringing out these things like some kind of corporate holiday buying guide for hardcore gamers... except, you can't buy the Xbook Duo. It's just a prototype.
Eurogamer spotted the news along with a video from Ed showcasing how the device works. You can check out the video below.
Basically, you can switch between playing Xbox One and Xbox 360 games with the simple flick of a switch.
Of course, you have to first power-down the box, wait a few moments, flip the switch and then power up the other system.
Ed doesn't exactly say what happens if you don't wait long enough to power up the Xbox 360 or Xbox One if you didn't properly power-down the other system. I imagine it might blow the power brick inside? No idea; he doesn't say.
The thing is is that this is probably the only meaningful, backwards compatibility option for Xbox One owners. It's kind of silly when you think about it, though. I mean can you imagine how much more positive press Microsoft could have been basking in had they implemented some means of backwards compatibility instead of trying to pander to the limited consumer base who was interested in watching TV on their TV with a game console? A $500 mistake is what a lot of core gamers consider the Xbox One, and I can't blame them for that assessment. That's $300 short of the Maingear X-Cube that sports 4K gaming... especially when you consider that even at $500 the Xbox One struggles to hit 900p. Pathetic.
Nevertheless, Ed Zarick's Xbook Duo is likely to pick up a heck of a lot of enthusiast support from people who might consider getting an Xbox One or has a red-ringed Xbox 360 but don't want to re-buy the latter or purchase the former. You kind of get a two-for-one deal with the Xbook Duo... assuming it doesn't cost more than stuff like Alienware's Steam Machine or Maingear's home living room solution.
Anyway, the Xbook Duo is just in the prototype stage. If he can keep the price within a reasonable means and ensure that there's dummy-proof power-switching to keep the thing from malfunctioning, then he might have a real winner on his hands. You can learn more about the Xbook Duo by paying a kind visit to the official website.
