Microsoft knows you want the Xbox 360 dashboard's blades back, but it ain't happening

Xbox 360
(Image credit: Future)

Sorry gang, the Xbox 360's classic "blades"-style home screen won't be coming back any time soon.

That's according to Microsoft's director of programming Larry Hyrb (also known as Major Nelson), speaking earlier this week on the Official Xbox Podcast (thanks, TrueAchievements). "No, you can't have the blades back," Hyrb says very plainly, when the topic of conversation turns to the Xbox 360 home screen. Talk about pouring cold water on an idea.

"They were lovely, they were nice, but you can't have them back because they don't scale, as we say in the business, to what we want to do," Hyrb continues. This is Hyrb shutting down speculation that the two unreleased Xbox home screens, which are currently undergoing testing, could be related to the blades home screen.

If you're unfamiliar with the blades screen, they were a home screen style that initially debuted for the Xbox 360. The console's separate screens were distinguished by vertical tabs, bordered by silver blades around the edges, hence where the nickname of the home screen's style comes from.

The blades were understandably popular, contributing to the overall aesthetic of the much-beloved Xbox 360, a console juggernaut for Microsoft back in the day. It's easy to see why some long-time Xbox fans would want the feature to return, but it isn't happening in the foreseeable future according to Larry Hyrb. We'll have to wait and see how the two unannounced home screens shake out, if they are released to the public at all.

Check out our Xbox Series X restock updates guide for a complete list of all the retailers with the latest Xbox console. 

Hirun Cryer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.