Notes

Old Console New Tricks, Old Tricks How to get the most Value from Your Xbox 360

Whether you're holding out for the Kinect-less Xbox One or you've already unpacked a brand new system there's plenty of life left in the Xbox 360. Microsoft will have its new system on the right track after another half dozen or so software updates, but for now, it's all about getting everything we can out of older equipment. Nearly nine years later, here's how to make sure your Xbox 360 is aging gracefully.



You can end your Xbox Live subscription



Microsoft is changing the method by which Xbox Live Gold works. But if your 360 is more like a Netflix machine than an online gaming platform it is possible to save money right now. You'll receive a prorated refund when you cancel your Xbox Live subscription prior to August 31st. This FAQ provides more information.



Keep your Xbox Live subscription active



But wait! But wait! It's not just about multiplayer gaming, apps like Netflix or Vudu. The first way to save money is by checking for deals on the subscription itself. The normal cost for Xbox Live Gold is $10 per month or $65 per Year. Keep on the lookout for offers from retailers such as Best Buy, Amazon, eBay or even the Microsoft Store that reduce the entry cost by $10, $20 or even $25. Next, check out this chart that lays out the options available to everyone, and what's required Xbox Live Gold after June.



Protip: Keep an eye out for our deals updates to be alerted. You can also keep an eye on websites such as CheapAssGamer and FatWallet to find out the dates when sales are scheduled to take place. Otherwise, double-check the new games you purchase, as they frequently are or are available as bundles that shave some of the cost, or even include an opportunity to try the game for free to allow you to satisfy that weekend craving for Halo.



Games with Gold



After Sony announced an Instant Game Collection in conjunction with PlayStation Plus that doles out free games each month, Microsoft responded by adding Games with Gold to its package. Yes, the monthly freebies are coming to Xbox One, but the Xbox 360 version has one important advantage over XB1 and PlayStation games: You can keep the games. It's true, all you need to do is sign at least twice per month (on the 1st and 16th) to begin a download of whatever is being offered and it's yours for good even if you decide to end your subscription to Xbox Live Gold later. The only downside? The only issue is that they have so far included lower-profile titles as well as older ones that aren't as popular with the competitors. You can see the complete list of games here. This month's games were Dust: An Elysian Tail and Saints Row: The Third, and in June, subscribers can pick up Dark Souls, Charlie Murder and Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition -- not an awful deal at no additional cost.



Protip: There's an added benefit of Deals with Gold that adds the opportunity to rotate monthly discounted games videos, DLC and moreCheck out Major Nelson's blog for details on the current sale schedule and when.



Xbox 360 SmartGlass



Microsoft has introduced a new method 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, previously known as My Xbox Live, can manage games, apps, and movies on the Xbox 360. It also allows you to search for content using Bing. The most straightforward way to use it is via Xbox Live. Sending messages to friends or checking their Xbox Live status is often faster from the second screen and your phone has an improved keyboard than an add-on to the 360's controller. The apps are free to install and are available on Android, iOS, Kindle Fire and Windows 8/Windows Phone.



Protip: You can find an entire list of apps, games, and movies here.



Clear your cache



Occasionally, issues with your Xbox 360 (glitches in the dashboard, sign-in errors, problems with specific games) can be resolved simply by clearing the cache. Clearing the cache on the Xbox removes temporarily downloaded games updates. It doesn't affect system updates, game files, or any other data on your hard drive. After clearing, you'll be asked to download updates for your Xbox each time you're playing on Xbox Live. To do this, go to the Settings page, highlight any storage device (cache will be cleared across all devices) then press"Y," then select clear and then click "Yes." It was so simple! It was so easy.



Xbox Live Arcade



Microsoft may have added indie games alongside the big boys on Xbox One but there are still a few lesser-known gems on Xbox 360. More than 600 games were added to XBLA at the time of launch, including well-known titles like Braid, The Walking Dead, Castle Crashers, Limbo, 'Splosion' Man, and Minecraft. MINECRAFT SERVERS They even have demos available and are free to download. Unfortunately, Microsoft's Destination: Arcade visual browser hasn't been updated since a brief beta test in 2010. however, we recommend trying 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. Do you have any obscure gems we've missed? Drop us a note in the forums to inform us.



[Image credit: momo_leif / Alamy]


Read More: https://gslist.net/minecraft-servers/