After an uneven console cycle with the Xbox One, Microsoft’s latest consoles are aimed at getting the ship back on course. The Xbox Series X is a next-generation powerhouse that rivals gaming PCs, while the Xbox Series S is an affordable stopgap for those who are curious about trying new games.
There’s no shortage of games to play on either console thanks to Xbox Game Pass, which gives players immediate access to a library of titles old and new. That built-in catalog is an extra value on top of all the new games available on the system that take advantage of its impressive technical specs. When it comes to first-party exclusives, the Series X is still growing. Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 gave a good boost to the console’s library following a somewhat sparse first year. More games are also on the way. Microsoft’s Bethesda acquisition will bring exclusives like Starfield and the potential addition of all Activision Blizzard games would further bolster that list, but the console’s real strength lies in third-party support.
We’ve combed through the current batch of new Xbox games to put together an updated running list of titles that new console owners shouldn’t miss. And don’t forget to check out the best upcoming Xbox Series X games as well.
Shooters
Resident Evil 4
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II
Overwatch 2
Halo Infinite
Remnant II
HITMAN 3
Destiny 2
Control: Ultimate Edition
Resident Evil Village
High on Life
From the creators of the hit animated sci-fi show Rick and Morty, High On Life is a surprising shooter that delivers a fun, space-y adventure with that classic hit-or-miss Justin Roiland humor. The story finds a nameless protagonist and their sister flung in the middle of an alien conflict while their parents are on vacation. We won’t spoil the story here but it’s a lovely little adventure full of hijinx, shootouts, and in-jokes.
Adventure and RPGs
Starfield
Bethesda’s latest RPG sends players into space to pilot their own spaceship and explore hundreds of star systems. While the game may not be as expansive as players had originally hoped, it has been a massive success. A No Man’s Sky doppelganger with a Fallout 4 style, anyone who has enjoyed previous Bethesda titles or loves sci-fi adventures will enjoy losing themselves in this game.
Diablo IV
Marvel's Midnight Suns
Elden Ring
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a sequel to 2019’s excellent Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and expands on it in almost every way. The story feels more ambitious and personal at the same time, as all of the worlds players can explore as Cal are more densely packed with content than before, and combat has been refined to be even more fun thanks to new stances and perks players can use.
It’s an entirely single-player Star Wars adventure, and a meaty one at that. This game can easily keep you entertained for 20 hours or more and tells the most engaging Star Wars narrative since Andor. This is one of the best Star Wars games ever made, so fans of the franchise shouldn’t miss out on it.
Sea of Thieves
Scarlet Nexus
Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Like a Dragon: Ishin!
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Immortals Fenyx Rising
Tunic
If there’s one franchise just about everyone wants but can only get on one console, it’s Nintendo’s Zelda titles. While we can’t actually get the official adventures of the tunic-wearing hero of Hyrule, we can get games heavily inspired by them, with one of the best being Tunic. This game has you take control of a little fox in a green, well, tunic, wielding a sword and shield. If you imagine Link, only with fox features, that’s the main character. And the inspiration doesn’t just stop at the visual design, but the gameplay, too. You explore a big, confusing world full of puzzles and monsters to fight while learning the distinct language of the land. The twist of collecting the game’s manual in the game itself is a simple but fantastic way to really engross you in the experience.
Pentiment
In a year that lacked many compelling Xbox Series X exclusives, Pentiment stands out as a narrative-focused adventure RPG set in 16th Century Europe. Sporting a unique art style and engaging story for murder, mystery, and impactful choices, Pentiment is one of the best games published by Xbox Game Studios in some time. Its a bit subtler on the RPG front with its persuasion system and character backgrounds, but it should appeal to fans of that genre just as much as it would to adventure game fans.
Platformers
Psychonauts 2
It Takes Two
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Sim, puzzle, and more
Street Fighter 6
Forza Horizon 5
Crusader Kings III
Microsoft Flight Simulator
Tetris Effect: Connected
Gears Tactics
Editors' Recommendations
- Xbox Game Pass gets one of 2021’s best games today
- All cross-platform games (PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)
- Starfield isn’t going multiplatform, but 4 Xbox games are
- Best Stratagems in Helldivers 2
- The best weapons in Helldivers 2