Xbox’s Surprise 360 Update Is A Great Reminder That Nothing Is Sacred Anymore

I can’t remember the last time I picked up an Xbox controller, or booted up an old Halo game, so I was shocked to learn that the Xbox 360 recently received a new update. This was especially surprising to learn, given that the Xbox 360 store had been shut down nearly a year ago at this point. However, from what I’ve seen reported online by players who still use their old consoles, there was actually some need for a new update to the Xbox 360 dashboard.

Apparently, game thumbnails were being displayed incorrectly, appearing stretched as if they were the wrong aspect ratio. There was also apparently just a massive blank space on the dashboard from where the store tiles used to be. Although I’m sure Xbox 360 users were pleasantly surprised to have the dashboard updated to fix these aesthetic issues, the update did also come with another addition that was likely less welcomed. Not only did the new update include something that is likely annoying, but it also just doesn’t make a lot of sense when you stop to think about it.

Xbox 360 Has New Ads In Its Update

Xbox 360 Has Two New Tiles Advertising Newer Systems

The website TrueAchievements, which is also where I learned about the issues plaguing the Xbox 360 dashboard, recently shared an image of the console’s new dashboard, which had originally been posted by Reddit user Trackwalker. The image shows the new Xbox 360 dashboard, which is mostly made up of green tiles, with a tile for the now-fixed game thumbnails at the top left. However, there is another, less welcome addition front and center on the dashboard: two massive ads for the Xbox Series X|S. These ads aren’t just a big eyesore, but also a somewhat nonsensical inclusion.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand Microsoft’s mentality here. This blank space on the dashboard was unused, so why not put some free advertising for their latest console generation there. Still, I doubt these ads are really going to tip the scale for anyone and be the reason they buy an Xbox Series X|S if they haven’t already. Never say never I suppose, but I highly doubt anyone is booting up their Xbox 360 simply because they don’t know that a newer Xbox console has come out in the 20 years since the console originally launched.

I would imagine it’s also a little frustrating that the game thumbnails aren’t given priority here. I’d much rather my screen were dominated by the well-designed artwork for a video game than a dull advertisement for a five-year-old console. While these ads are ultimately nothing more than a slight annoyance, it is still a sad reminder of how prevalent ads have become on the home screens of video game consoles.

Console Ads Are Sadly The Norm Now

All Modern Consoles Feature Ads On Their Dashboards

The new Xbox 360 dashboard is far from unique when it comes to advertising on consoles. When I boot up my Switch 2, there’s a sidebar trying to sell me new games. My PlayStation 5 is constantly letting me know about new sales going on, and when I open Steam on my PC, I get a pop-up slideshow of games the platform wants me to buy. It’s hard not to feel nostalgic for older game consoles where you simply booted them up and immediately started playing a game.

However, if this new Xbox 360 update has taught us anything, it’s that even older consoles aren’t safe from this invasion of ads, at least if they can connect to the internet. I suppose I’d have to dig out my old N64 or GameCube if I wanted an ad-free gaming experience at this point. This wouldn’t exactly kill my enjoyment of playing an older console, but it is somewhat annoying that I can’t just boot up Halo 2 without someone trying to hawk me a new Xbox that I don’t want.

Source: TrueAchievements, Reddit