The digital store for Microsoft’s iconic Xbox 360 game console is closing today. Announced in August 2023, this closure means a big change for gamers. Starting today, the Xbox 360 store will no longer be available to purchase new games. However, you can still buy some games for the last time before the store closes.

Microsoft is offering last-minute discounts and deals for the closing Xbox 360 store

Microsoft has heavily discounted a number of Xbox 360 games ahead of the store’s closure. These discounts include popular titles such as DMC: Devil May Cry, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, the Resident Evil series, Street Fighter x Tekken and various Lego games. However, some of these games are not backwards compatible, so they can only be played with an Xbox 360 console.

Xbox 360 owners will still be able to download previously purchased games after the store closes. Online multiplayer modes will also not be affected by the store closure. Therefore, you can continue to enjoy your existing library of games.

Many 360 games were released as physical copies, so you can still buy some at your local used game store. However, Xbox 360 Arcade (digital only) games will be lost forever if they don’t have backwards compatibility. Some games fall into this category, such as Call of Duty Classic, The Dishwasher series, Renegade Ops and various arcade and Sega ports.

Microsoft’s decision to close the Xbox 360 store was disappointing among gamers. In 2021, Sony faced a huge backlash when it tried to shut down the PlayStation 3 store, so it decided to keep it open. It’s understandable that the closure of the Xbox 360 store could be related to technical and financial difficulties, but hopefully the same fate won’t befall the Xbox One store in the future.

The closure of the 360 store is seen as an important milestone in the future of digital game sales and services. Microsoft’s decision sends a message to other major players in the industry about the sustainability and longevity of digital game stores.