Xenia is an experimental Xbox 360 emulator for Windows. This quick reference explains keyboard controls you can use while running games via Xenia, how to map keys to controller inputs, and tips for smoother gameplay.
In racing games, you may find it hard to maintain steady speeds.
Important distinction: Some PC ports of Xbox 360 games support mouse + keyboard natively (e.g., Minecraft). Xenia does not pass your mouse/keyboard as a true PC input device. It emulates a controller. Therefore, you will never get 1:1 mouse-aim like a native PC shooter unless you use third-party translation tools.
For the best experience with Xenia, use an actual Xbox 360 or Xbox One controller. Keyboard controls are limited (no analog triggers, no vibration, no pressure-sensitive face buttons). If you must use keyboard, consider mapping LT/RT to mouse buttons (using third-party software) for better shooting/driving control.
For turn-based JRPGs, visual novels, or puzzle games, Xenia with keyboard controls works flawlessly. For action games, racing sims, or competitive shooters, you will struggle without analog input or mouse aiming.
While the Xenia emulator is designed primarily for XInput controllers, you can still play using your keyboard by editing the configuration files or using third-party tools. Default Keyboard Controls
For first-person shooters, you can force Xenia to treat mouse movement as the right analog stick. This requires: