How to Download and Install a Game on the Xbox 360

Last Updated: March 5, 2022

The Xbox 360 provides access to a stunning array of downloadable content to enrich and expand your gaming and entertainment experience. Thousands of full games and game demos are available through the Xbox Live dashboard.

Steps

1
Sign up for Xbox Live - a free membership is sufficient to access downloadable games.
2
Power up your Xbox 360 and sign into Xbox Live. If your Xbox does not automatically sign into Xbox Live, you can use our game controller arrow buttons to arrow over to the center block. Pressing A selects that box and will sign you into Xbox Live.

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3
Arrow up until you see the "Home" category highlighted. Then arrow to the right until "Games" is highlighted. Arrow down twice to highlight "Games Marketplace" and press A. This will open the Games Marketplace and the main dashboard for accessing game content on Xbox Live.
4
The dashboard will direct you to new games, demos, add-ons, and games that are popular right now. You can arrow through the different categories until you find a game or demo you want to download.
5
If you know what content you want to download, hit Y to enter the search feature. By navigating back and forth through the alphabet and selecting letters (with A), you can search for the game you're looking for. Each letter will further narrow down your search.
6
When you've found the game you want to download, use the arrow pad to highlight it and A to select it. This will open the download screen. Arrow to "Confirm Download" and select with A.
7
Do not turn your Xbox off while the file is downloading. Xbox will alert you when it's finished.
8
Return to the Xbox 360 home screen (either by pressing the center Xbox "Guide" button and selecting Xbox Home or by pressing B repeatedly). Arrow back to the Games menu and select "My Games" - your new game will be waiting for you in that menu!

Community Q&A

Question

I can't find Xbox marketplace on my 360. What can I do?

Community Answer

Make sure you are connected to the internet, and logged into a Microsoft account on your Xbox. Then, simply go to the games tab on your Xbox dashboard, and select browse games.