Published on: 01/02/2023

Microsoft to remove up to 46 titles from Xbox 360 marketplace

Microsoft is set to delist up to 46 classic titles and their associated downloadable content (DLC) from the Xbox 360 marketplace. The removal will start on February 7, 2023.

“These titles will no longer be purchasable on the Xbox 360 Store only, and titles that are available to be purchased on the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S Stores will remain purchasable,” a Microsoft representative said.

“You will still be able to play discs or previously downloaded games on your Xbox 360 and modern consoles if they are backwards compatible titles.”

According to the Xbox maker, the number of delisted titles will vary across regions. There will be 46 titles delisted in the U.S. and 44 in the U.K. Some classic titles on the list are Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood and Blood of the Werewolf.

Before launching Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft aggressively marketed the console’s backward compatibility, referring to its ability to play various games from the previous versions, like the original Xbox and Xbox 360.

Many game titles take advantage of the new console’s ability to enhance game-playing and visual appeal because these titles perform better on Xbox Series X/S, which features FPS Boost, nearly doubling old games’ original frame rates.

Since October last year, however, Xbox Games with Gold — a benefit program of Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate — no longer supports Xbox 360 game titles. Players downloading Xbox 360 game titles before that time can still access these games on their personal accounts.

Microsoft said the recent decision was a part of its effort to improve the game-playing experience for the Xbox community. The company said it had already “reached the limit” of its capability of bringing new titles to the catalog due to various constraints.

The company remained committed to providing Xbox One titles through the Games with Gold.

Microsoft to launch two titles on Games with Gold in February

Microsoft is set to launch For the King and Guts N Goals for Xbox Games With Gold this February. Players can download For the King from February 1 to 28 for $25. Meanwhile, Guts N Goals will be available from February 16 to March 15 for around $15.

For The King is a strategy game with rogue-like elements developed by IronOak Games. Players get the online co-op option if they want to play the game in a group. In this game, they must restore peace to a kingdom following the murder of its king.

Guts N Goals is an arcade soccer game that offers several exciting features, including the ability to use bats to score goals and the inexistence of penalty cards. Players can choose among 30 heroes available on the list.

These two games follow January’s offering of Iris Fall and Autonauts. The latter is still downloadable until February 15.

Iris Fall is a puzzle mystery game with a “light and shadow” theme. Players join the adventure of a protagonist named Iris as she follows a black cat and solves mysteries she finds along the way. The game has a gothic atmosphere that suits fans of monochrome art style.

Meanwhile, Autonauts is a crafting game where players build a new civilization from scratch. They can do various in-game activities, including farming and fishing. They can also train worker bots to help perform these tasks for them.

The Xbox Game Pass has consistently launched new titles to attract players. Last week, the console suddenly introduced Hi-Fi RUSH, a rhythm-based game by Tango Gameworks, which received praise for its “fresh” marketing strategy and engaging game-playing.