How to Play XBox 360 Games From a USB

Microsoft's Xbox 360 allows users to go online through Xbox Live to play online with other gamers from around the world and also download videos, music, video games, and system updates. A recent update allows users to use USB memory devices to save Xbox 360 content, such as Xbox 360 video games. By configuring a USB memory device, a user can download an Xbox 360 video game from the Xbox Live Marketplace for $19.99 or $29.99, and save it to the USB memory device to play on their system, or any other Xbox 360.

Configure Your USB Storage Device

Plug in your USB storage device into one of the USB ports on your Xbox 360 console, and turn on your Xbox 360.

Go to the "My Xbox" tab, then scroll over and select the System Settings window.

Select the "Memory" option.

Select the "USB Storage Device" option.

Select the "Configure Now" option, and confirm that you want to erase any existing data on the device. You can also select the "Customize" option and move the slider for Reserved Storage to select the amount of storage space on the USB storage device. The device will configure, and you will be able to use it as an Xbox 360 storage device.

Downloading and Playing Xbox 360 Games

Sign into Xbox Live with your gamertag by pushing the Guide button on your Xbox 360 controller, and selecting the "Sign In" option.

Scroll left to the Marketplace tab on the Guide window, and select the "Game Marketplace" option, then the "Games on Demand" option.

Scroll down to "All Games on Demand," and select the "Browse Through 360 Games" window.

Select an Xbox 360 video game to purchase and download, then select the "Change Storage Device" option.

Select the USB memory device.

Select the "Confirm Purchase" option. The video game will begin to download to your USB memory device, and your Xbox Live account will be billed for the game. Once the game is downloaded, you can access it through your USB memory device.