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Xbox 360 Blades background hits Series X/S, here’s how to use it

It’s been a challenging year for Xbox enthusiasts, but there’s a nostalgic treat in store as a new “Xbox 360 Blades” dynamic background has arrived for the Xbox Series X/S; here’s how to get it and use it

The new background, called ‘Xbox 360 Blades,’ is now available for free to all Xbox Series X/S owners. The Xbox 360 is a cherished console for many gamers. Released in 2005, it introduced groundbreaking graphics and a strong focus on online multiplayer gaming. It was a game-changer of a console, marking a high point for Microsoft’s Xbox, going punch-for-punch in sales with Sony’s PlayStation 3.

The “blades” menu epitomized much of what made the Xbox 360 groundbreaking. Now fans can relive the Xbox’s glory days once again.

How to get and use the Xbox 360 Blades Background on Xbox Series X/S

The Xbox 360 Blades background is free to all Xbox Series X/S owners and can be set up through the Personalization menu in the Xbox Series X/S settings.

Simply follow the instructions below:

  1. Press the Xbox button to open the guide
  2. Select Profile & system > Settings > General > Personalization > My background > Dynamic backgrounds
  3. Choose ‘Xbox’
  4. Choose the ‘Xbox 360 Blades’ background

This will convert the Xbox Series X/S home menu to the classic Xbox 360-style background as soon as players navigate back to it.

The Xbox 360 stands as a beloved chapter in the brand’s history. That was in large part due to the console’s cutting-edge UI, which was adopted to varying degrees by multiple competitors. Players could browse their gaming library, invite friends to parties to chat, and queue up in games, and show off their progress with Xbox Achievements, all connected to their Xbox Live account. It felt fluid, powerful, and radically next-gen compared to the original Xbox.

But that’s a long time ago. In the nearly two decades since the Xbox 360‘s debut, the gaming landscape has evolved significantly.

Platform exclusives have become rarer, and the necessity of physical consoles is something Microsoft is seemingly pushing back against. These changes have hit Xbox the hardest. The console’s first-party offerings haven’t been as commercially or critically successful as those of PlayStation. The Nintendo Switch, which with its lower price point and its vast lineup of exclusives, has a dedicated customer base while still drawing in PlayStation and Xbox fans.

Nonetheless, the release of the Xbox 360 Blades background allows Series X/S owners to revisit the golden days of Xbox. However, be warned, it’s more style than substance, as the Blades aren’t functional. For those who need it, though, it provides a comforting dose of nostalgia.

Written by Steven Rondina X Twitter Logo

Steven Rondina has been playing video games since he was a toddler and appreciates every genre out there. He has earned the platinum trophy in every Soulsborne game, is regularly Master Ball-ranked on the competitive Pokemon ladder, and has spent thousands of hours missing shots on Dust 2. His work has previously been featured by Bleacher Report and The Washington Post, and he was an Assistant Editor at WIN.gg. You can follow him on Twitter / X at @srondina.

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