On the Xbox 360, you can play games on multiple systems using the system link feature, but did you know that you don’t necessarily need the system link cable to use it?
The Xbox 360 networks a lot like a computer does, so in order to use system link, you just need your multiple Xbox 360’s networked properly.
The system link cable takes care of this easily, because it’s technically what you would call a crossover cable in the computer world, which is similar to an ethernet cable, but the wires are reversed so that two computers can connect directly instead of going through a hub or router. That’s why if you try to use your system link cable as an ethernet cable to connect to your router, it won’t work.
Ok, enough of the computer lingo. So how do we use system link without a system link cable?
Simple, you just plug both Xbox 360’s into your router, either by ethernet cables or by wireless connection.
I have personally had troubles connecting through system link when one Xbox 360 is wired and the other is wireless to my router. I’m not sure why this is, and it may depend on the router, but food for thought anyway.
The nice thing about this too is that you don’t have to setup anything, since your router automatically assigns IP addresses and such. I have an old router I take with me when I take my Xbox 360 somewhere as well to make system linking even easier, since I can connect 4 different Xbox 360’s to it by wires, or as many as I want via wireless connection.
