Notes

Old Console, new Tricks How to get the most of your Xbox 360

There's still plenty of life in the Xbox 360, regardless of whether you're waiting for the Kinect-less Xbox One, or if you've already unpacked a brand new system. Microsoft will be capable of getting its new console running after some more software updates. However, until then, it's all about getting the most of older hardware. Here are some suggestions to make sure your Xbox 360 continues to age gracefully, nearly nine years after its release.



You can end your Xbox Live Subscription



Microsoft is changing the method by which Xbox Live Gold works. But if your 360 is more of an Netflix machine rather than an online gaming platform it is possible to save money today. If you cancel your Xbox Live subscription before August 31st, you'll receive a prorated refund for the amount remaining -- this FAQ has more details.



Keep your Xbox Live subscription active



But wait! Before you hit that button, maybe it's time to see whether you've gotten your money's worth from Xbox Live Gold. It's about more than just multiplayer gaming or apps like Netflix and Vudu. You can save money by searching for discounts on your subscription. The regular price for Xbox Live Gold is $10 per month or $65 per year. Be on the lookout for bargains at retailers such as Best Buy, Amazon and eBay or even the Microsoft Store that could lower the entry fee by $10-20 or even by $25. Check out this chart that outlines the benefits available to everyone and what still require Xbox Live Gold following June.



Protip: Keep an eye on our deals news for a heads-up or keep an eye on websites such as CheapAssGamer, FatWallet or SlickDeals to see when sales are happening. Be sure to double-check any new games you buy. They are often sold in bundles that lower costs or come with an initial trial that can help you satisfy your weekend Halo cravings.



Games with Gold



After Sony introduced an Instant Game Collection with PlayStation Plus that doles out free games each month, Microsoft responded by adding Games with Gold to its package. The Xbox 360 version will get the freebies every month, but there's one big advantage over the XB1 or PlayStation options: You get to keep your games. You don't have to log in twice per month (on the 16th and 1st), and then you can download the current offer. It's yours forever, even if you cancel Xbox Live Gold. The only downside? The only issue is that they have in the past included lesser-known games and older titles that aren't as popular with the competition. You can check out a complete list of games here. The games this month were Dust: An Elysian Tail and Saints Row: The Third, and in June, subscribers can get Dark Souls, Charlie Murder and Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition -- not a bad haul for zero extra cost.



Pro Tip: Deals with Gold offers an additional benefit, which includes a monthly rotation of discounted games as well as videos and DLC. Follow Major Nelson's blog for up-to-date details on what's available and when.



Xbox 360 SmartGlass



Microsoft has introduced a new way for you to interact with the Xbox 360 over the years. It's now possible to use your smartphone or tablet to interact with it. The SmartGlass app (formerly called My Xbox Live) can manage games, apps and movies on the Xbox 360, and even search content using Bing. The easiest method to use it is to use Xbox Live. Sending messages to your friends or checking their Xbox Live status is often quicker from the second screen, and your phone likely has an improved keyboard than an add-on to the 360's controller. The apps are free to download and are available on Android, iOS, Kindle Fire and Windows 8/Windows Phone.



Protip: You can find the complete list of SmartGlass-enabled apps films, games, and games here.
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Clear your cache



Clearing the cache could solve problems with your Xbox 360 (glitch in the dashboard problems with sign-in, issues with sign-in, or issues with specific games). Clearing the cache on the Xbox will remove any downloaded game updates. It doesn't affect your game files, system updates, or any other data on your hard drive. After clearing, you'll be asked to download updates for your Xbox every time you log back on Xbox Live. To do this, go to the Settings page, select any storage device (cache will be cleared across all devices) Press"Y," select clear, and then click "Yes." See how easy that was? It was so simple.



Xbox Live Arcade



Microsoft may have brought indie games with the big boys on Xbox One, but on Xbox 360, there are probably still a few smaller gems that you haven't yet played. More than 600 games were added to XBLA from the moment of launch, including well-known hits such as Braid, The Walking Dead, Castle Crashers, Limbo, 'Splosion Man , and Minecraft. They also have demos, and probably cost just a few dollars to try out. After a brief beta test in 2010 Microsoft's Destination: Arcade visual web browser hasn't returned. We suggest you play The Bridge, Bastion and N+, Super Meat Boy and Ascend: Hand of Kul. Keep on your watch for new games like AirMech Arena or Slender: The Attainment. Do you have any other hidden gems we've missed? Send us a message on the forums so that we can test them.



[Image credit: momo_leif / Alamy]


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