Key Takeaways
- Fans dislike new Xbox 360 dashboard changes; iconic features removed.
- Nostalgic fans miss Blades, New Xbox Experience, and Metro dashboards.
- Limited Dashboard after Xbox Store closure disappoints users.
Fans are disappointed in the new Xbox 360 dashboard. As the Microsoft Store on the Xbox 360 closed down earlier this year, big changes were introduced to the system. The biggest change involved how the home screen and dashboard were presented because several icons and features were removed altogether.
The Xbox 360 Dashboard had some iconic and memorable looks over the years. The very first one was referred to as the Blades Dashboard which many consider a nostalgic classic. There was also the New Xbox Experience, or NXE, which was more customizable and took advantage of the avatars feature. However, before the transition to the generation that followed, the Metro was the final Dashboard which gave the Xbox 360 home screen a nice visual while providing the Blades’ functionality. Part of what made all of these options work was the slew of options available, which made the console feel very alive. Unfortunately, recent changes to the Dash have received negative reactions from fans.
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Reddit user Numerous-Bath-993 wanted to verify stories from Xbox 360 owners in other countries wherein a new Dashboard was reportedly available. They set their console to the “Other” locale and logged on Xbox Live to check, only to be disappointed by the visual confirmation. Many onscreen elements were already previously removed because of the Xbox 360 Store removal earlier this year, and this regional update took away even more content. It is important to note that some commenters who reside in the US region retained access to more icons, meaning that the change could be exclusive to those whose consoles are set in the Other locale. Fan speculation is that Microsoft is encouraging gamers to get the newer system as many of the Xbox 360’s services have become limited in other regions. A few fans shared the negative reaction, even comparing the situation to returning to a childhood home with all the furniture gone.
What Made The Xbox 360 Dashboards Special?
With how the Dashboard has changed over the years, it’s no secret that fans hold specific ones close to their heart. Many fans nostalgically miss the Xbox 360’s Blades era as it reminded them of simpler times, back when the console was first launched. Many also consider it to be the glue that connected the original Xbox to the Xbox 360 as it followed a similar vibe. Similarly, the Metro and Kinect update were also special to other gamers as they became the most associated with the console due to its sleek appearance and number of icons and buttons.
While many consider the Xbox 360 era over, there have been instances where lucky collectors have been able to find Xbox 360s with rare Dashboards. Though it may be mostly for nostalgia purposes, a few fans have been able to purchase Xbox 360s which kept the previously mentioned updates to their Dashboards. Granted, these will mostly only serve as a good memory of a time when many considered the Xbox 360 to be in its prime.
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 was Microsoft’s successor to its original Xbox video game console. The seventh-generation device was built as a direct competitor to consoles like Sony’s PS3 and Nintendo’s Wii.
- Brand
- Microsoft
- Original Release Date
- November 22, 2005
- Original MSRP (USD)
- $299, £209, €299
- Weight
- 7.7 lbs