Xbox 360 is closing its virtual store today: how does this affect you?

If you have Xbox 360 and you still enjoy playing with it, keep in mind that Your virtual store is closing today. This means that starting Monday, July 29, it will no longer be possible to purchase games or expansions on either Microsoft’s iconic console or through the web version of the Marketplace.

Thus, the Redmond residents confirm their intention to turn the page and end the almost 20-year journey associated with the Xbox 360. It is worth remembering that the company announced the closure of the virtual store for this console almost a year in advance, since the initial announcement took place in August 2023.

While the decision to close the Xbox 360 Marketplace makes sense, was not free from criticismWhile Microsoft offers backward compatibility for a significant number of games on the platform on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, the reality is that many other games they will disappear forever.

According to the analysis conducted VGK Last year, around 220 Xbox 360 games will no longer be available because they lack backward compatibility or physical versions. Many video game preservationists openly criticized Microsoft for the decision. However, it is worth noting that the company has discounted several games in recent months to encourage downloading until the store finally closes.

How the Xbox 360 Virtual Store Closure Will Affect You

As we already indicated at the beginning of the article, from today it is possible buy games or DLC in the Xbox 360 virtual store. However, games for this console will still be available for purchase on Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S if they are included in the backward compatibility catalog.

Another interesting thing to keep in mind is that you will be able to continue playing games that are already part of your library normally, whether they are in physical or 100% digital format. Not only that, but if you delete a previously purchased video game and want to play it again, you can download it without any problemseven after this Monday, the 29th.

Xbox 360 Marketplace Shutdown This will not affect multiplayer either. games you have installed. Microsoft has warned from the start that this will not change and that the ability to play online will remain available until the developers of each game decide to shut down their servers.

What will stop working on Xbox 360 from today is the app Cinema and TV. This means that the movies and TV shows in your library will no longer be playable on your console. However, the content will still be available on both Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, as well as Windows 10 or Windows 11 PCs.