Notes

Old Console, new Tricks: Getting the most out of your Xbox 360

If you're waiting for the Kinect-less Xbox One or you've already removed a new console, there's still plenty of life left in the Xbox 360. Microsoft will get its new console in place after another half dozen or more software updates, but for now it's all about getting all possible out of the older equipment. Nearly nine years after the fact, here's how to ensure that your Xbox 360 is aging gracefully.



Cancel your Xbox Live subscription



Microsoft is changing the way Xbox Live Gold works. But if your 360 is more of a Netflix machine than an online gaming platform it is possible to save money right now. If you decide to cancel your Xbox Live subscription before August 31st, you'll be able to claim a prorated refund of the time remaining This FAQ provides more information.



Keep your Xbox Live subscription active



But wait! Before you click that button, maybe it's time to determine whether you've been getting the value you pay for with Xbox Live Gold. It's not just about multiplayer gaming apps like Netflix or Vudu. You can save money by looking for discounts on your subscription. The standard price for Xbox Live Gold is $10 per month or $60 for the year. Check out deals at stores like Best Buy, Amazon and eBay, or even the Microsoft Store which could lower the entry cost by $10-20 or even $25. Check out this chart which outlines what's available to everyone, and what's required Xbox Live Gold after June.



Protip: Watch out for our updates on deals to get a heads-up. You can keep an eye on websites such as CheapAssGamer and FatWallet to see the dates when sales are scheduled to take place. Be sure to double-check any new games you purchase. They are often sold in bundles that lower the cost or contain a trial card that will give you the chance to satisfy your weekend Halo cravings.



Games with Gold



Microsoft added Games with Gold to its Xbox 360 package after Sony launched an Instant Game Collection in conjunction with PlayStation Plus, which gives away free games every month. The Xbox 360 version will get the freebies every month, but there is one major advantage over XB1 or PlayStation games: You can keep your games. You don't need to log in twice a month (on the 16th and the 1st) and after that, you can download the current offer. It's yours forever even if you decide to end Xbox Live Gold. The only downside? The only problem is that they've thus far included less-popular titles as well as older ones in comparison to the competitors. You can view the entire list of titles here. This month's games included Dust: An Elysian Tail, Saints Row: The Third and Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition. Subscribers can also get Dark Souls, Charlie Murder, and Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition for absolutely zero additional cost.
Minecraft


Protip: There's a further benefit to Deals with Gold that adds an ongoing rotation of discounted games, videos and DLC -Check out Major Nelson's blog to learn the current sale schedule and when.



Xbox 360 SmartGlass



In the years since the Xbox 360 launched, Microsoft added a new way to interact with the system beyond gamepads and remotes: your phone or tablet. The SmartGlass app (formerly known as My Xbox Live) can control games, apps, and movies on the Xbox 360, and even search content using Bing. It is best to use it with 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 upgraded keyboard than an add-on for the Xbox 360's controller. These apps are free to download and available for Android, iOS, Kindle Fire and Windows 8/Windows Phone.



Protip: Get a full list of games that are compatible with SmartGlass, apps and movies right here.



Clear your cache



Occasionally problems with your Xbox 360 (glitches in the dashboard, sign-in problems, problems with certain games) can be solved simply by clearing its cache. Clearing the cache on the Xbox removes temporarily downloaded games updates. It won't affect your game files, system updates, or any other data on your hard drive. After clearing the cache, you will be asked to download new game updates again when you log into Xbox Live. To do this, go to the Settings page, select a storage device (cache will be cleared across all devices) then press Y, select clear and say "Yes." Did you notice how simple it was? It was so easy.



Xbox Live Arcade



Microsoft may have added games from the indie genre alongside the big boys on Xbox One but there are still a few lesser-known gems on Xbox 360. More than 600 games have been added to XBLA at the time of launch, including well-known titles like Braid, The Walking Dead, Castle Crashers, Limbo, 'Splosion Man and Minecraft. Plus, they have demosavailable, and will likely only cost a few bucks to try out. Unfortunately, Microsoft's Destination: Arcade visual browser hasn't come back after a brief beta test in 2010 but we suggest trying out The Bridge, Bastion, N+, Super Meat Boy, Ascend: Hand of Kul and keeping your eyes peeled for upcoming titles like AirMech Arena and Slender: The Arrival. Have you discovered some gems that we've missed? Drop us a line in the forums to inform us.



[Image credit: momo_leif / Alamy]


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