Microsoft has quietly pushed a new update to the Xbox 360 dashboard, fixing a long-standing issue with distorted box art—but not without drawing attention for something else.
The update, first reported by Reddit users and confirmed by Kotaku and TrueAchievements, also introduces prominent advertisements for the Xbox Series X and Series S. These new ad placements include:
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A visual-only ad showcasing the current-gen consoles.
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A QR code that redirects users to an Xbox Series X / S landing page encouraging them to “Experience next gen performance.”
While the ads don’t do anything when clicked via the console, scanning the QR code with a smartphone takes users to the official Xbox website.
Why It Matters
This marks one of the first visible nudges from Microsoft encouraging Xbox 360 users—who’ve held onto the 2005-era console—to finally upgrade. The Xbox 360, which sold over 84 million units globally, still sees occasional usage, especially in regions like Mexico, even after Microsoft shut down the Xbox 360 store in July 2024.
Despite being a gentle push toward the future, many fans view the added advertising as an unwelcome intrusion on a beloved legacy platform.
