Xbox fans are saying goodbye to the Xbox 360 Marketplace, which is closing today after nearly 19 years since its launch.
The Xbox 360 Marketplace arrived on the Internet alongside the Xbox 360 in November 2005, bringing a familiar storefront to a generation of gamers.
Microsoft is shutting down the Xbox 360 Marketplace today, July 29. Not only does this mark the true end of an era for the Xbox 360, it also means that a ton of video games and add-ons exclusive to the digital store will no longer be available for purchase. That list includes Aegis Wing, Meteos Wars, Crimson Alliance, and more.
Fans have been nostalgic about the Xbox 360 Marketplace on social media, including former Microsoft employee Larry ‘Major Nelson’ Hryb, who wrote posts about Xbox 360 Marketplace sales and updates for many years and became the face of Xbox to many fans.
“It’s been almost 19 years, and all good things must come to an end,” Flibber said. Tweeted“We’ve had the pleasure of sharing thousands of Marketplace sales and updates over the years. Thank you for having fun, playing fair, and leaving your feedback.”
This weekend is the final weekend for the Xbox 360 Marketplace.
If I don’t buy it in the next two days, I’ll lose the opportunity forever, and it will be the end of an era for my favorite 7th generation system. pic.twitter.com/tqZo06NFXx
— Clement (@ClementJ64) July 27, 2024
Xbox 360 Marketplace pic.twitter.com/ereYEXaLCs
— Nostalgia without context (@nostalgiaooc) July 28, 2024
Before the Marketplace closes on Monday, I’ll be showcasing the last of my Xbox 360 digital library. While I still collect physical games, I’m sad to finally see support for the console I grew up playing as a kid end. pic.twitter.com/J9or5CPrcX
— Batty (@battybuh) July 27, 2024
The Xbox 360 Marketplace was permanently shut down today pic.twitter.com/0P6ADFDjCs
— Buster (@bustershii) July 29, 2024
Some are making final purchases, buying games and DLC that will be permanently discontinued.
Before the Xbox 360 Marketplace closed, you could get all of the MLG image packs.
The end of an era. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/1K2yovII7a
— Eric Hewitt / Ghost (@GH057ayame) July 28, 2024
Warning: Tonight is the last night you can get the $1 Sour Bill avatar shirt from the Xbox 360 Marketplace. This is no joke. pic.twitter.com/qRdsg4SKZr
— RayReviewer (@RayReviewer) July 28, 2024
The Xbox 360 Marketplace is shutting down. Snoop Dogg’s video games are gone forever.
Don’t say too much. pic.twitter.com/kcJGyntupq
— GNARFIELD (@Nintendont_64) July 28, 2024
Despite this closure, can You’ll be able to re-download previously owned titles and DLC, purchase backwards compatible games on the Xbox One and Series storefronts, and play them online on your Xbox 360. This means that only games that aren’t available in Xbox One/Series backwards compatibility, and your Xbox 360-era content like avatars, icons, and themes will be lost forever.
Ahead of the closure, Microsoft-owned video game developer Double Fine offered Xbox 360 owners a free digital code for the Happy Action Theater sequel Kinect Party. The developer of Psychonauts and Brütal Legend warned Xbox 360 players to download all their games before the closure. Because the Xbox 360 Kinect is not supported on subsequent Xbox hardware, Kinect Party is one of the games lost forever with the closure.
Double Fine also responded to some concerns that Microsoft’s closure of the Xbox 360 Marketplace would have a major impact on video game preservation. Tweeted“Alas, the digital preservation evangelists have been proven right once again.”
X/Twitter user Kaliyoshika They provided a helpful list of video games that didn’t escape closure, including The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai, Death Tank, and Diabolical Pitch.
Well, yes, everyone wants them, so here they are. I wrote a non-exhaustive thread about some interesting games and DLC that won’t survive the Xbox 360 Store’s demise on July 29, 2024. Some are on sale, some aren’t. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/a8Mn2pIX09
— Cal (@Kalyoshika) July 24, 2024
Do you have fond memories of the Xbox 360 Marketplace? Did you purchase something right before it was lost forever? Let us know in the comments.
Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Bloomberg via Getty Images.
Wesley is IGN’s UK News Editor. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can contact Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or wyp100@proton.me.
