Little-known Xbox feature hailed 'lightyears ahead of its time' as users demand its return

A lesser-known Xbox feature has been praised 15 years since it first appeared for being 'ahead of its time'.

There was once a time when Xbox towered over PlayStation as the superior gaming console, but ever since the Xbox One and PS4 came out in 2013, it has been neck and neck, with Sony's console arguably taking the cake with the PS5.

A number of reasons put Xbox at the top of the gaming console ladder - and this feature was one of them.

Xbox 360 users had the world at their feet, back in the day. (Emanuele Cremaschi/Getty Images)

It was the time of the 360, you could play Lego video games, maybe some Call of Duty, or perhaps you were lucky enough to have a Kinect for an active take on video games.

However, the Xbox 360 had more features that stretched beyond its gaming capabilities - a few of which not many know about.

As a former Xbox 360 owner, I can admit that I only found out about some of these hidden features after the fact.

But recently, a viral post featuring screenshots of the feature in question have started to do the rounds on social media.

The snaps showed the classic Xbox 360 Avatar characters kicking back and watching film classics such as The Dark Knight and King of California, bringing a wave of nostalgia to many video game enthusiasts out there - but what feature is on display?

You could watch films with your friends, wherever they were in the world. (Xbox)

Well, it's called Netflix Party Mode, and though many discovered party mode on streaming in services during the COVID lockdowns, this feature was implemented in 2009 and stuck around until 2011.

It meant that users could enjoy watching their favourite TV shows and films with their mates, all over the world, using the app.

The feature was around for long enough to leave a long-lasting effect on those who were fortunate enough to experience it.

Enough in fact, for people to call for its return on social media.

One fan said that the app was 'lightyears ahead of its time', while another said: "I'll keep saying it, the 360 era was the best era."

The Xbox 360 used to be the cream of the crop. (David Paul Morris/Getty Images)

A third shared: "Throwing popcorn at the screen with your avatar man I remember these nights vividly."

Meanwhile a fourth commented: "Only used this once, but it was wonderful."

And a fifth posted: "I still don't really get why they revamped xbox avatar when you don't use or really see them.

"Bringing Netflix Party back would be a fun way to utilise them."

A firmware update in December 2011 sadly removed the Netflix Party Mode forever - and they explained why at the time: "The new app platform on Xbox does not support the video party mode feature at this time, so it will not be available in any existing app partners that have updated their app and any of the new Xbox app partners."

RIP.