Xbox 360 users surprised with 'unexpected' update that gamers are raving about

If you're one of the very few people still clinging on to your Xbox 360 then you're in luck, as Microsoft has just dropped a major new update that has left fans and gamers stunned.

Patches, hotfixes, and updates have become common practice in the digital age of gaming as developers are constantly tweaking their titles and adding new features and content for players to experience.

That only really became a thing in the seventh generation of home console releases though with the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, as connecting to the internet suddenly became a thing that most people wanted to do.

While there are plenty of collectors hanging on to their old Xbox 360 consoles as they're only increasing in value over time, many have moved on to the Xbox One or current Xbox Series X|S - but that hasn't stopped Microsoft from dropping a new update that has shocked everyone.

What is the new Xbox 360 update?

As reported by TrueAchievements, a surprising new update for the Xbox 360 dropped on June 25, 2025 - nearly 20 years after the console's first release in North America.

While many thought the console to be completely abandoned by Microsoft after the store officially shut down last year and the dashboard was stripped back, last night's update has given it an unexpected fresh coat of paint.

Downloading the update provides a visual refresh to the home dashboard screen of the console, fixing an issue with game thumbnails that has been plaguing the device since the store shut down, and adding a couple of new ads for the Series X and Series S.

"Experience next-gen performance," reads a large ad on the dashboard now, prompting players to "upgrade today" alongside images of Xbox's current console line up.

How have gamers reacted to the new Xbox 360 update?

Understandably many have been left in shock at the dashboard refresh, with comments on a r/xbox360 post shared by u/trackwalker revealing the different responses that people had.

"I wondered why they didn't bother putting ads for the Series X|S, and I guess someone finally thought out it," wrote one user, with another adding: "I love the wording of the ad for the Series X|S, which implies that the people still actively playing 360 wouldn't have already upgraded or are somehow unaware of themselves being two generations behind."

Others have indicated that it's "way better" now, but simultaneously urge Microsoft to "just freaking stop touching it." It would be an even bigger shock if the two decade-old console somehow managed to get another update on top of this one, but with the arrival of this refresh who's to say another isn't around the corner?

If you've still got an Xbox 360 lying around that hasn't succumbed to the dreaded red ring of death quite yet, it might be worth checking this new update out for yourself.