Xbox 360 Dashboard Update Now Promotes Newer Xbox Consoles
▼ Summary
– A recent Xbox 360 dashboard update fixed a bug causing distorted game thumbnails but also added prominent ads for Xbox Series X|S consoles.
– The ads include images of the new consoles and a QR code linking to Microsoft’s website, urging users to upgrade.
– Clicking the ads does nothing; users must scan the QR code manually to visit the upgrade page.
– Microsoft’s last major Xbox 360 update removed obsolete menus after the online store shutdown in July 2024.
– The Xbox 360, launched in 2005, remains Microsoft’s best-selling console with 84 million units sold and maintained popularity even after newer models released.
Microsoft has quietly rolled out a new Xbox 360 dashboard update that not only fixes display issues but also pushes ads for its newer consoles. Longtime fans of the aging system were surprised to find promotions for the Xbox Series X and S prominently featured on their home screens this week, sparking discussions across gaming forums and social media.
The update resolves a persistent bug that distorted game thumbnails and box art, a problem introduced during Microsoft’s previous dashboard overhaul in July 2024. That earlier refresh removed defunct storefront elements after the company shuttered the Xbox 360 digital marketplace. While players welcome the visual fixes, many are less thrilled about the unmissable upgrade prompts now baked into the interface.
Two distinct ads appear on the refreshed dashboard. One displays the sleek silhouettes of the Series X and S consoles without any accompanying text, while the other features a QR code linking to Microsoft’s official Xbox site. Scanning the code directs users to a page extolling the benefits of “next-gen performance,” though tapping the ads directly on the 360 does nothing, forcing players to use a separate device to explore upgrade options.
Despite being nearly two decades old, the Xbox 360 retains a dedicated fanbase. With over 84 million units sold worldwide, it remains Microsoft’s most successful console to date. Its longevity is remarkable; the platform maintained relevance even after the Xbox One launched and held strong in markets like Mexico well into the Series X|S era. The company supported online services for an unprecedented 19 years, underscoring the system’s enduring appeal.
This latest move suggests Microsoft hasn’t forgotten its legacy hardware users but is gently nudging them toward modern alternatives. Whether longtime 360 owners will heed that call, or simply ignore the ads as they have with previous upgrade prompts, remains to be seen.
(Source: The Verge)
