Your Old Xbox 360 Just Got a Surprise Update

If you still have an Xbox 360 collecting dust under your TV, you might want to boot it up. Microsoft just rolled out an unexpected update for its nearly two-decade-old console—and it’s not just a bug fix or security patch. This time, they’ve gone in and tidied up the dashboard, complete with a flashy new advert nudging players toward the Xbox Series X/S. There's even a scannable QR code baked in, leading directly to the Microsoft Store where the newer consoles (now with steeper price tags) await.

A Cleaner, More Polished Dashboard Experience

This move comes after Microsoft officially shuttered the Xbox 360 Marketplace last year, clearing out all traces of store-related clutter from the interface. The result? A cleaner, slightly more modern dashboard that doesn't feel like a forgotten relic every time you turn it on.

No More Funhouse Box Art

And yes, they actually fixed something too. The main game tile, which used to stretch box art like a funhouse mirror, finally displays titles the way they were meant to be seen. No more squished covers staring back at you.

A Nod to Loyalty as the 360 Turns 20

As the Xbox 360 prepares to turn 20 this November—having launched in 2005—this mini refresh feels oddly sentimental. Microsoft clearly knows there’s still a pocket of loyalists who haven’t unplugged their 360s. And based on the reaction online, those fans noticed.

“It finally looks better!” one player posted.
“It doesn’t look depressing anymore.”
“They didn’t have to do it—but they did. That’s why I still love Xbox.”

Microsoft Balances Nostalgia With the Next Generation

Meanwhile, Microsoft has its eyes on the future, teasing new next-gen hardware and giving us a glimpse at the Xbox Ally X handheld, developed in partnership with Asus. No firm release dates yet, but the brand is definitely playing both ends—nostalgia and next-gen—at the same time.

Still Plugged In? You’re Not Forgotten

And for Xbox 360 owners? Turns out, you’re not totally forgotten.