It’s a pretty sad time for Xbox 360 fans, as Microsoft has recently announced that the official storefront of this iconic console is going to shut down on July 29, 2024. This store was a pioneer in the world of digital gaming.
With this console, the era of Xbox Live Arcade began, which marked the rise of today’s trend of digital storefronts for games. To commemorate the end of this fascinating storefront, Microsoft has recently added a nostalgic aspect to its console, which will surely fill your eyes with tears.
Microsoft Adds Xbox 360 Blades Dynamic Background to Its Consoles
Microsoft has released a background with a home theme reminiscent of Xbox 360’s Blade UI. Seeing this background, one thought will surely pop up in your head: “Takes you back, doesn’t it?”
Takes you back, doesn’t it?
Enjoy some sweet nostalgia with the new Xbox 360 Blades dynamic background, available today. pic.twitter.com/AYElkktM9K
— Xbox (@Xbox) July 16, 2024
This background was seen in the iconic dashboard of the console, which featured a tabbed interface that allowed players to navigate the console by switching between different blades to access the console’s games, media, marketplace, and many more. This feature was launched in November 2005 and was later replaced by the New Xbox Experience, or NXE, in 2008.
To tune into this nostalgic background, you just have to follow some simple steps:
- Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.
- Navigate to Profile & System > Settings > General > Personalization > My background > Dynamic backgrounds.
- Choose Xbox 360 Blades under Featured or Xbox Dynamic Backgrounds.
- Select the background art you want using the A button.
However, the new background is not like the previous one, as it’s not a fully functional, swappable UI option to navigate things. Still, if you have been a loyal flag bearer of the company since the second console of the company and have witnessed the golden period of Xbox’s history, then it will surely give you goosebumps and make you realize what a beautiful story it was that is about to end soon.
Bidding Adieu to the Official Digital Storefront of Xbox 360
Microsoft has recently revealed on their official FAQ page about the storefront closure of Xbox 360. This means players won’t be able to purchase and download any games and DLCs on this fan-favorite console.
This accounts only for the digital versions of the games, as the physical formats of the games are still available across different stores to buy and play.
The whole store closure has lashed onto a total of 59 games, which will be lost forever. All of these games are non-backward compatible, so there’s no way these games can be played on newer generation consoles as well. Besides gaming, fans will be missing out on a variety of other things, like add-ons, trials, avatar items, subscriptions, video content in the Movies & TV app, and many more.
However, if you have already owned a digital version of the game, then it is absolutely safe. All you have to do is rush to the download history and enjoy that game.
There’s still some time left to secure some of the gems on these legendary consoles. What’s your opinion on the store closure and the tribute by Microsoft? Let us know in the comment section.
