Xbox 360 Gets Surprise Dashboard Update in 2025, Nearly Two Decades After Launch

Xbox 360 console dashboard

The Xbox 360 has just received a new dashboard update in 2025, nearly two decades after its original release in 2005.

Despite Microsoft shutting down the Xbox 360 Marketplace in July 2024—effectively ending digital purchases for games, DLCs, and other content—this legacy console still isn’t done. As first spotted by TrueAchievements, users on the r/xbox360 subreddit began noticing visual changes to their dashboard earlier this week, sparking buzz among the console’s longtime fans.

The biggest change? Game thumbnails now display properly. For years, the artwork for installed titles appeared awkwardly stretched and misaligned on the Home screen. With this update, the key art now fits neatly into its designated space, making the interface look cleaner and more polished than it has in a long time.

But that's not all. Microsoft also snuck in a couple of promotional ads. One of them showcases the Xbox One S, Series X, and Series S consoles, while the other includes a QR code with the message: "Experience next-gen performance. Upgrade today." So while it's a refresh, it’s also a nudge to move on from the aging platform.

Multiple users have since confirmed similar updates on their end, indicating the rollout is widespread.

This move comes months after the Xbox 360 dashboard was stripped down following the Marketplace closure, which left the interface feeling noticeably emptier. While there’s no official word from Microsoft yet on why the update was released, it’s clear the company hasn’t completely forgotten about its old workhorse.