Microsoft Will Remove Xbox 360 Titles from Games with Gold Come October

Microsoft has confirmed that beginning October 1st, 2022, Xbox Games with Gold will no longer include Xbox 360 games in its monthly free game list.

Microsoft announced today, July 5th, in a mass email to Xbox Live subscribers, that Games with Gold will no longer offer Xbox 360 games. The email by Microsoft states, “We have reached the limit of our ability to bring Xbox 360 games to the catalog,”. This further goe's on to mention “Games with Gold will continue to include exciting Xbox One titles and exclusive savings each month.”. While it's encouraging that this will have no effect on other Xbox consoles or games, it still feels like a stepping stone towards the end of an era for the legendary Xbox 360.

The news isn't all that detrimental as you'll still be able to access your previously downloaded Xbox 360 games. That means any Xbox 360 games that you've bought, downloaded or redeemed through Games with Gold. The only kicker is they have to be downloaded or claimed in your library, before October 1st, 2022. And even if you cancel your subscription, these games are yours to keep. So while Microsoft may be shunning the Xbox 360 out of the spotlight, you can keep the dream alive.

Looking Into the Future

In the future, there will only be four more Xbox 360 games available through Games with Gold. We will see two in August, and another two in September, marking the final inclusions of Microsoft's limited catalog. We highly suggest you download them and any prior ones because come October 1st, you won't have the chance.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Xbox Live Gold members can enjoy Beasts of Maravilla Island, Relicta, Thrillville: Off the Rails, and Torchlight as part of July's Games with Gold! Details here: https://t.co/BG94uaGA95

— Xbox Wire (@XboxWire) June 28, 2022

This couldn't be released at a more troubling time for Microsoft, as their latest unveil of Games with Gold for July received tough criticism. Mainly for lacking in their uninspiring lineup of free games. Although one game, Torchlight, a critically acclaimed indie platformer, would argue otherwise. It's an excellent title, but it was released in 2009, so some more recent variety would be appreciated. Torchlight is one of the two Xbox 360 games apart of July's Games with Gold lineup, the latter being Thrillville: Off the Rails.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with Microsoft's decision? Will you continue to pay for Games with Gold? Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here!