Notes

Old Console and new Tricks How to get the most Value from Your Xbox 360

There's still plenty of excitement in the Xbox 360, regardless of whether you're waiting for the Kinect-less Xbox One, or if you've already gotten rid of a new system. Microsoft will have its new system in place after another half dozen or more software updates, but until then, it's all about getting the best that we can from older hardware. Here are some suggestions to make sure your Xbox 360 continues to age gracefully for nearly nine years.



You can end your Xbox Live Subscription



Microsoft is changing the way Xbox Live Gold works. If your Xbox is more of an Netflix machine than a gaming platform, you can 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! Before you click that button, maybe it's time to determine whether you've been getting your money's worth from Xbox Live Gold. It's not just about multiplayer gaming or apps like Netflix and Vudu. You can save money by looking for discounts on your subscription. The regular price for Xbox Live Gold is $10 per month or $60 per year. Keep an eye out for bargains from retailers such as Best Buy, Amazon, eBay or even the Microsoft Store that cut the entry cost by $10, $20 or even $25. Then, check out this chart that outlines the options open to everyone, and what will remain requiring Xbox Live Gold following June.



Protip: Take a look at our deals updates to get a heads-up or keep an eye on sites like CheapAssGamer, FatWallet or SlickDeals to know when sales are happening. Double-check all new games you buy. They often come in bundles that reduce costs or come with the chance to try a trial version that will help you satisfy your weekend Halo cravings.



Games with Gold



After Sony introduced an Instant Game Collection that is part of PlayStation Plus that doles out free games each month, Microsoft responded by adding Games with Gold to its package. Yes, the free games every month are coming to Xbox One, but the Xbox 360 version has one big advantage over the XB1 and PlayStation options you can keep the games. That's right, all you have to do is sign every two months (on the 1st and the 16th) to begin a download of whatever is being provided and it's yours for the duration of the subscription even if you choose to decide to cancel Xbox Live Gold later. The only problem? So far, they've included lower-profile and older titles in comparison to their competitors, but you can see 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 an awful deal at no extra cost.



Protip: There's an added benefit of Deals with Gold that adds the opportunity to rotate monthly discounted games videos, DLC and more- check 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 called My Xbox Live) can manage games, apps and movies on the Xbox 360, and even search content using Bing. It is recommended to use it with Xbox Live. Sending messages to friends or checking their Xbox Live status is often quicker using the second screen, and your phone likely has an improved keyboard than an add-on to the Xbox 360's controller. These apps are free to download and are available for Android, iOS, Kindle Fire and Windows 8/Windows Phone.



Protip: Find an entire list of SmartGlass-enabled apps films, games, and games here.



Clear your cache



Occasionally problems with your Xbox 360 (glitches in the dashboard, sign-in problems or issues with specific games) can be solved just by clearing its cache. Clearing the cache on the Xbox will remove any downloaded game updates. It won't affect your game files, system updates or any other files on your hard drive. After clearing the cache, you'll be asked to download new game updates again when you log in to Xbox Live. To do this, go to the Settings page, highlight any storage device (cache will be cleared across all devices) then press"Y," select clear, and then click "Yes." See how easy that was? It was so easy.



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 you've not yet played. More than 600 games have been added to XBLA from the moment of launch, including well-known titles such as Braid, The Walking Dead, Castle Crashers, Limbo, 'Splosion' Man, and Minecraft. Better yet, they have demosavailable, and will likely cost just a few dollars to test. After an unspecified beta test in 2010 Microsoft's Destination: Arcade visual web browser hasn't been reintroduced. Minecraft servers We suggest you test The Bridge, Bastion and N+, Super Meat Boy and Ascend: Hand of Kul. Keep an eye out for new titles such as AirMech Arena or Slender: The Attainment. Are there any hidden gems we've missed? Send us a message on the forums to tell us about it.



[Image credit: momo_leif / Alamy]


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