Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • GamesRadar+ Replay
  • Mario Day deals
Don't miss these
Marathon runner shell assassin with hood and pink-on-black eyes
FPS Games Marathon's "fontslop merchant" says "don't think for a second we'll remove the sauce" from the FPS's controversial UI
Xbox Series X and controller.
Hardware Project Helix "might be Microsoft's last attempt to make their hardware business work," analyst suggests
Xbox Project Helix logo on black background
Xbox Xbox Project Helix announced, "next generation console" will "play your Xbox and PC games," Microsoft says
Xbox Project Helix logo on black background
Hardware Everything we know about Xbox Project Helix - the next-gen Xbox console
The new GamesRadar+ logo on a dark background adorned with crosses in orange and grey
Games The next generation of GamesRadar+ is here
Xbox Elite Series 2 controller
Gaming Controllers The best Xbox Series X controller in 2026
The lighthouse looks at a twisting tree in Keeper
Games Best Xbox exclusives you need to own
Marathon runner shooting at red tick bugs
FPS Games "The first ever fontslop game": Marathon players are already sick of looking at the upcoming Bungie shooter's UI
Marathon automaton looking up
FPS Games Bungie wants more feedback on Marathon's controversial UI to make sure players can "read what's happening mid-fight"
best Xbox One games
Games The best Xbox One games of all time
Xbox Project Helix logo in front of Series X silhouette with Game Pass box art in backdrop.
Xbox The next-gen Xbox is basically being pitched as a Steam Machine rival
Xbox Gamescom 2023 logo featuring a stylized city skyline in green
Games Xbox will be "sunsetted" under new CEO, co-founder expects: "Her job is going to be as a palliative care doctor"
Xbox Series X
Xbox Microsoft CEO says "we'll always" keep investing in gaming amid Xbox's announcement of mysterious Project Helix
Avowed new screenshot xbox series x
Games Best Xbox Series X games: The 25 greatest Xbox games to play in 2026
Marathon cinematic shot of assassin runner
FPS Games Marathon's UI is a headache that I fear will send me right back to Arc Raiders – tedious even for Bungie's standards
  1. Games

Xbox 360's cluttered interface led to Microsoft starting from scratch with Xbox One

News
By Hollander Cooper published 20 September 2013

Starting over is sometimes the best option

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

When you boot up the Xbox One you'll likely note that it's much more streamlined than the one you're used to on the Xbox 360--and there's a reason for that. Instead of continuing to iterate on the Xbox 360's guide, as Microsoft opted to do for this entire past generation, Microsoft decided it was best to start over when working on the Xbox One.

In a platform demo at the Tokyo Game Show we talked to Albert Penello, Microsoft's Sr. Director of Product Management and Planning, who admitted that the Xbox 360's interface became cluttered as time went on. With the Xbox One, the team began anew, drawing inspiration from Windows 8 and Windows Phone's more simplistic, user-friendly appearance.

Now, you're able to see just about everything with relative ease. The main page looks pretty much as it does now, with a few large icons letting you quickly get into a game, but hitting left or right provides a much different experience. Left will bring you to a customizable screen where you're able to "pin" different games or apps. It changes depending who is logged in, creating a place where you're able to create your own personal dashboard of sorts.

You may like
  • Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S How to set up your Xbox Series X to get gaming as quickly as possible
  • Xbox Project Helix logo in front of Series X silhouette with Game Pass box art in backdrop. The next-gen Xbox is basically being pitched as a Steam Machine rival
  • The new GamesRadar+ logo on a dark background adorned with crosses in orange and grey The next generation of GamesRadar+ is here

Hitting right drops you right into the Store, but the menu appears significantly more user friendly than the Xbox 360's was. Everything has been simplified, with Games, Movies, Music, and Apps being broken into different sections.

Being simplified is important, as this main page replaces the Xbox 360's "Guide" button. That's right--you're thrown back to the main page when you want to view your friends list or browse Achievements. This is a major change, especially with how synonymous the Guide became with the Xbox 360 experience.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
Xbox Xbox One Platforms
Hollander Cooper
Hollander Cooper
Social Links Navigation
Former Features Editor at GamesRadar+

Hollander Cooper was the Lead Features Editor of GamesRadar+ between 2011 and 2014. After that lengthy stint managing GR's editorial calendar he moved behind the curtain and into the video game industry itself, working as social media manager for EA and as a communications lead at Riot Games. Hollander is currently stationed at Apple as an organic social lead for the App Store and Apple Arcade.

Read more
Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S
How to set up your Xbox Series X to get gaming as quickly as possible
 
 
Xbox Project Helix logo in front of Series X silhouette with Game Pass box art in backdrop.
The next-gen Xbox is basically being pitched as a Steam Machine rival
 
 
The new GamesRadar+ logo on a dark background adorned with crosses in orange and grey
The next generation of GamesRadar+ is here
 
 
ROG Xbox Ally X sitting on orange beanie next to white Xbox wireless controller with Fallout New Vegas main menu on screen.
The next Xbox will apparently use Windows, and that's the last thing I want to hear
 
 
Halo
Xbox co-founder says Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has "a hammer called gen AI" and "there's a nail with an Xbox logo"
 
 
Halo TV series
Xbox faces "no directive" from Microsoft to use AI, Matt Booty insists, despite new CEO's background
 
 
Latest in Games
Peak mesa biome
Peak came about after a bet between Content Warning and Another Crab's Treasure leads to see whose game would see more
 
 
Mass Effect
"F***ing Colonel Shepard dies in Mass Effect 3, and that makes us the Worst Company in America," former EA exec laments
 
 
a ditto human sitting on some logs with pikachu and pichu
Pokopia's unhinged dialogue is tempting me away from Animal Crossing: "It's a pretty nice butt, don't you think?"
 
 
A lady looks shocked.
55-year industry vet made the first CRPG, got laid off, went bankrupt, but "I don't care": "Business does not love you"
 
 
Dragon Quest 11
Dragon Quest creator says English is "a simple language," so "the flavor tends to get lost" when translating games
 
 
Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Requiem is too scary for series veteran Hideki Kamiya, who argues Capcom "should make a 'non-scary' mode"
 
 
Latest in News
Peak mesa biome
Peak came about after a bet between Content Warning and Another Crab's Treasure leads to see whose game would see more
 
 
Jin, Mugen, and Fuu standing in a row
Samurai Champloo is getting a live-action Netflix series from One Piece studio, and the original creator is on board
 
 
Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise in the It: Welcome to Derry finale
It: Welcome to Derry season 2 is officially in the works, as showrunner promises "something greater" than season 1
 
 
Mass Effect
"F***ing Colonel Shepard dies in Mass Effect 3, and that makes us the Worst Company in America," former EA exec laments
 
 
a ditto human sitting on some logs with pikachu and pichu
Pokopia's unhinged dialogue is tempting me away from Animal Crossing: "It's a pretty nice butt, don't you think?"
 
 
A lady looks shocked.
55-year industry vet made the first CRPG, got laid off, went bankrupt, but "I don't care": "Business does not love you"
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise in the It: Welcome to Derry finale
    1
    It: Welcome to Derry season 2 is definitely in the works, as showrunner promises to "deliver something that is greater" than season 1
  2. 2
    14 years later, former EA exec is still mad about getting the "Worst Company in America" award over BP and Bank of America just because "f***ing Colonel Shepard dies in Mass Effect 3"
  3. 3
    55-year games industry vet helped make the first CRPG, got laid off, went bankrupt, but said "I don't care" as long as he got to keep crafting games: "A business does not love you back, unless you are a business person"
  4. 4
    I thought nothing could replace Animal Crossing for my nightly cozy vibes, but Pokopia's delightfully unhinged dialogue is very tempting: "It's a pretty nice butt, don't you think? So shiny!"
  5. 5
    The Asus ROG Azoth 96 HE has returned to take the magnetic crown, but that price tag is going to be a problem

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...