There's plenty of fun 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 be capable of getting its new console in operation after some more software updates. But until then it's all about getting the most value out of the older hardware. Here are some tips to ensure your Xbox 360 continues to age gracefully for nearly nine years.
You can end your Xbox Live Subscription
You've likely heard that Microsoft is changing how Xbox Live Gold works next month however, if your Xbox 360 is more of an Netflix machine rather than an online gaming platform and you're interested in saving money now. If you cancel your Xbox Live subscription before August 31st, you'll get a prorated refund of the time remaining -- this FAQ has more information.
Keep your Xbox Live subscription active
But wait! Before you click the button, perhaps it's time to determine whether you've gotten the value you pay for with Xbox Live Gold. It's about more than just multiplayer gaming or apps like Netflix and Vudu. You can save money by looking for discounts on your subscription. The standard cost for Xbox Live Gold is $10 per month or $60 per Year. Check out deals at stores like Best Buy, Amazon and eBay, or even the Microsoft Store which could lower the entry fee by $10-20, or even $25. Then, check out this chart that outlines the options available to everyone, and what will remain requiring Xbox Live Gold following June.
Protip: Watch out for our deals updates to be alerted. You can also check websites like CheapAssGamer and FatWallet to find out when sales are taking place. If you're not sure, double-check any new games you purchase, as they frequently are or are available as bundles that shave some of the cost, or include an evaluation card that will help you sate that weekend craving for Halo.
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Games with Gold
After Sony introduced an Instant Game Collection with PlayStation Plus that doles out free games each month, Microsoft responded by adding Games with Gold to its package. The Xbox 360 version will get the monthly freebies, but there's one big advantage over the XB1 or PlayStation options: You get to keep your games. You don't have to log in twice per month (on the 16th and the 1st), and then you can download the latest offer. It's yours forever even if you decide to cancel Xbox Live Gold. The only issue? The only issue is that they've so far included lower-profile games and older titles in comparison to the competition. You can see the complete list of games here. This month's games included Dust: An Elysian Tail, Saints Row: The Third and Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition. Subscribers can also download Dark Souls, Charlie Murder and Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition for absolutely zero 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 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 console that isn't limited to gamepads or remotes: your phone or tablet. The SmartGlass app (formerly known as My Xbox Live) can control apps, games and movies on the Xbox 360, and even search for content with 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 improved keyboard than an add-on to the Xbox 360's controller. These apps are free to download and available for Android, iOS, Kindle Fire and Windows 8 and Windows Phone.
Protip: Get a full list of games, apps, and movies right here.
Clear your cache
Sometimes, issues with your Xbox 360 (glitches in the dashboard, sign-in errors or issues with specific games) can be resolved simply by clearing its cache. Clearing the cache on the Xbox removes temporarily downloaded games updates. It won't affect your system updates, game files or any other data on your hard drive. After clearing, you'll be required to download game updates every time you log back connected to Xbox Live. Go to the Settings page and highlight the storage device (cache is cleared across all devices) and then press"Y. Select clear, and then select "Yes." Did you notice how simple it was? It was so simple.
Xbox Live Arcade
Microsoft may have thrown indie games alongside the big boys on Xbox One, but on Xbox 360, there are likely to be a few lesser gems you've not yet played. More than 600 games were added to XBLA from the moment of launch, including well-known hits such as Braid, The Walking Dead, Castle Crashers, Limbo, 'Splosion Man and Minecraft. Plus, they offer demos and 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. We recommend that you try The Bridge, Bastion and N+, Super Meat Boy and Ascend: Hand of Kul. Keep on your watch for new games like AirMech Arena or Slender: The Attainment. Do you have any obscure gems we've missed? Send us a message on the forums to tell us about it.
[Image credit: momo_leif / Alamy]