Can XBOX 360 games run on XBOX?

You guys are my last chance. I have 4 more hours to pull this off, otherwise, well, I don't know.

Things you should know:
I know nothing about computer games.
I am too old to learn.
It's 4PM, the stores close at 8PM

Question:
I'm doing my last minute Christmas shopping, and need to know if an XBOX 360 game can run on an older XBOX machine? Apparently the XBOX 360 is the latest game player, newer than XBOX?

I was at the store, and asked a couple of experts this question: the experts were 14 year old kids. Who should know better than them? They both said, yes, newer games will run on the older player.

Then a store employee (about 50 years old) unlocked the case to get a game, and I asked him the same question. He said, absolutely not.

I should have asked here to begin with, but this is the last gift on my list, for a special kid.

Thanks -

Originally posted by jsobecky
Question:
I'm doing my last minute Christmas shopping, and need to know if an XBOX 360 game can run on an older XBOX machine?

Like the older dude said "absolutely not" The 'old' Xbox doesnt have the power to run a xbox 360 game.
Those 14 year old kids are messing with you.

Thanks much - that's all I needed to hear.