The only viable way to run this ROM is via Xenia, the open-source Xbox 360 emulator.
Current Status as of 2025:
Because the ROM is useless without portal functionality, most emulation enthusiasts recommend the Dolphin Emulator (Wii U/PC version) instead, as it has mature Skylanders plugin support. However, for the purist seeking the Xbox 360 ROM specifically, you are in for a debugging nightmare. skylanders giants xbox 360 rom
If you are looking for an Xbox 360 ROM, you are likely intending to play it on a PC using an emulator like Xenia or RPCS3 (the PlayStation 3 emulator, which often handles the game better), or on a modified Xbox 360 console (RGH/JTAG). The only viable way to run this ROM
This is the number one misconception about Skylanders Giants ROMs. Unlike a standard ROM (say, Super Mario Bros.), where the entire game is on the disc, Skylanders works via a "gate" system. Because the ROM is useless without portal functionality,
If you download Skylanders_Giants_XBOX_360_ISO.zip and boot it, you will hit the "Place a Skylander on the Portal" screen instantly. Without emulated NFC chips or a physical portal with figures, you cannot progress past the title screen.
Community Workarounds: