July 26th 2024.
It's a sad day for Xbox fans as the beloved console's best days are coming to an end. In just a few days, on July 29th, the Xbox 360 online store will be shutting down. This means that if you've been eyeing some great deals on digital games, you only have this weekend left to make your purchases.
This closure was announced last year by Microsoft, and it means that after July 29th, it will no longer be possible to buy certain Xbox 360 games digitally. However, don't worry if you already own games from the store, as you will still be able to play them. The only difference is that you won't be able to purchase any new games, DLCs, or other content from the Xbox 360 store or the web equivalent, Xbox 360 Marketplace.
In anticipation of the store's closure, Microsoft has been slashing prices on a wide range of Xbox 360 games since May. From popular titles like Batman: Arkham Asylum to Bulletstorm, there's been no shortage of bargains for gamers to take advantage of. However, there are a few things to keep in mind as the actual closure approaches, so be sure to check out our guide below for all the details.
First, you may be wondering what time the Xbox 360 store will close on July 29th. Unfortunately, Microsoft has not confirmed an exact time, but they have stated that support will end on Monday, July 29th. So it's best to make any purchases before 11:59 PM on Sunday, July 28th, just to be safe.
After July 29th, you will no longer be able to buy any Xbox 360 games, DLCs, or other content through the Xbox 360 store or Xbox 360 Marketplace. However, don't worry, as you will still be able to purchase Xbox 360 games through the online stores on Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One. Keep in mind, though, that this list only includes games that are supported through backwards compatibility, not the entire Xbox 360 library. You can find a list of available games on these consoles on our website.
Sadly, some games will disappear entirely with the closure of the Xbox 360 store. Twitter user Kalyoshika has compiled a list of these games, including Frogger: Hyper Arcade Edition and Fusion: Genesis. On a brighter note, there are also some games that will be available for free ahead of the store's closure, such as Double Fine's Kinect Party.
If you're worried about still being able to play Xbox 360 games online, fear not. Microsoft is only shutting down the store, not online multiplayer services as a whole. So any online game you have downloaded or own physically will still be playable after the closure. However, some games may no longer work if the publisher has separately shut down online services. This was the case with EA, who recently made several Battlefield games unplayable by turning off online support.
Unfortunately, this is becoming a common trend as more and more online stores are being shut down in the name of game preservation. Just last year, Nintendo closed the Wii U and 3DS eShops, cutting off access to many games. It seems to be the fate of every console once it becomes more than a generation or two old.
But don't despair, as there are still plenty of classics to be found in the Xbox 360 store's sale. And if you have any Inbox letters or Reader's Features you'd like to submit, be sure to use our Submit Stuff page for a hassle-free process. And don't forget to sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on all the latest gaming content and releases.
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