In August 2023, Microsoft announced the closure of the Xbox 360 online store, with the shutdown set for July 2024. That date has arrived, marking the end of an era for the iconic console.
With the online store now closed, players can no longer purchase or download digital Xbox 360 games, films, or TV series. This closure signifies the end of a significant chapter for the Xbox 360, which was launched on November 22, 2005, and became known for hit titles like Halo 3 and Gears of War 2. Although the console was succeeded by the Xbox One in 2013 and officially discontinued in 2016, users could still buy and download games until now.
Despite the closure, many Xbox 360 games remain playable on newer consoles like the Xbox Series X thanks to backward compatibility. However, the challenge of preserving games from older systems continues for the gaming industry.
Continued Play for Existing Games: Existing Xbox 360 game owners can still play their installed games, and multiplayer features may remain available if developers haven’t shut down their servers. Microsoft also promises that game saves can be transferred from the cloud, though the longevity of this feature is uncertain.
Interestingly, as the store neared its end, disc versions of Xbox 360 games saw a spike in value, with popular titles like Tomb Raider and Call of Duty becoming 14% more expensive on average. As Microsoft shifts focus to digital offerings and services like Xbox Game Pass, which includes many new titles on release day, the reliance on physical copies continues to diminish.
