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The best Xbox One games of 2016 depend on what you want to play: Forza Horizon 3 for open-world racing, Dishonored 2 for stealth and experimentation, or Titanfall 2, Battlefield 1 and Overwatch for distinct kinds of shooting. This guide starts with GameSpot’s five selections, then adds Gears of War 4 and Inside as notable alternatives supported by Xbox Wire. It is a source-attributed shortlist, not a universal ranking.
What were the best Xbox One games of 2016?
GameSpot’s Chris Pereira selected five games in a December 13, 2016 feature: Forza Horizon 3, Dishonored 2, Titanfall 2, Battlefield 1 and Overwatch. The article does not present its picks as a numbered ranking. Its introduction calls 2016 “A fine year for shooters,” but the list also includes open-world racing and stealth action. Read GameSpot’s selections and descriptions.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Madden NFL 24 - Xbox Series X and Xbox One | $17.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Grand Theft Auto V: Premium Edition (Xbox One) | $24.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Mortal Kombat 11 - Xbox One | $21.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Red Dead Redemption 2 (XBox One) | $25.16 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
SEGA Genesis Classics - Xbox One | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Xbox Wire offers a broader platform-holder view: its January 2017 recap says Xbox One owners had nearly 400 new games to play in 2016, including the console exclusives Gears of War 4 and Forza Horizon 3. That figure and the outlet’s related superlatives are Xbox Wire’s reporting, not an independently audited comparison. Read Xbox Wire’s 2016 recap.
Choose by the kind of play you want
| Game | Genre and structure | Best fit if you prefer |
|---|---|---|
| Forza Horizon 3 | Open-world racing with races, challenges and free exploration | Driving and roaming through varied environments |
| Dishonored 2 | Stealth action with two playable characters and flexible levels | Planning, experimentation and alternative approaches |
| Titanfall 2 | Shooter with a single-player story and multiplayer | Fast movement, wall-running and varied combat encounters |
| Battlefield 1 | World War I-era shooter with a multi-story campaign and large multiplayer battles | Vehicles, changing battlefield conditions and large matches |
| Overwatch | Character-based team shooter | Coordinated team play and adapting by switching characters |
These distinctions describe the emphasis in GameSpot’s editorial coverage; they are not claims that one genre or play style is objectively better. All five games were listed with Xbox One among their platforms. GameSpot gives these release dates: Overwatch (May 23), Forza Horizon 3 (September 23), Battlefield 1 (October 21), Titanfall 2 (October 28) and Dishonored 2 (November 10), all in 2016.
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- SAPIEN TECHNOLOGY – A leap forward in character technology introduces new anatomically accurate NFL player skeletons that are more responsive and true-to-life player motion.
- INCREASED CONTROL AND REALISM – The newest iteration of FieldSENSE provides an enhanced gameplay foundation giving you greater control and delivering realism to all the ways you play.
- YOUR STARDOM. YOUR STORY. – Achieve greatness in your NFL career with game-changing control. Select your position, body type and customize your Superstar and build your legacy.
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- DUAL ENTITLEMENT - Madden NFL 24 includes Dual Entitlement, which lets you upgrade your copy of Madden NFL 24 from Xbox One to Xbox Series X|S. *Conditions apply.
GameSpot’s five picks
Forza Horizon 3: open-world racing and exploration
Set in Australia, Forza Horizon 3 moves between the outback, jungles, beaches and countryside. GameSpot highlights more than racing: players can seek out hidden cars, tackle stunts and challenges, or explore freely. It is the natural choice here for someone who wants driving to be the route into a broad world rather than a sequence of only structured races.
Xbox Wire later called it the best-selling and highest-rated racing game of 2016 and the biggest Forza launch to that date. Those are Xbox Wire’s own retrospective claims; the article does not provide the underlying dataset. Its figure of more than 14 million players refers to the Forza franchise across Xbox One and Windows 10, not sales or players of Forza Horizon 3 alone.
Rank #2
- Includes the complete grand Theft Auto V story experience
Dishonored 2: stealth built for experimentation
Dishonored 2 offers two playable characters with distinct skills, and its levels support different ways of approaching a mission. For players who enjoy testing routes and abilities rather than following one prescribed solution, that flexibility is the central appeal. GameSpot attributes the phrase “as much a toy box as it is a game” to reviewer Scott Butterworth’s review.
Titanfall 2: a story campaign as well as multiplayer
GameSpot emphasizes that Titanfall 2 pairs a substantial single-player story with multiplayer. Its movement, especially wall-running, and the distinct Titans give the shooter a particular rhythm and combat variety. It suits players who want a campaign as well as competitive or social matches, rather than a multiplayer-only recommendation.
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- The all new custom character variations give you unprecedented control to customize the fighters and make them your own
- The new graphics engine showcasing every skull shattering, eye popping moment, brings you so close to the fight you can feel it
- And featuring a roster of new and returning Klassic Fighters, Mortal Kombat's best in class cinematic story mode continues the epic saga over 25 years in the making
Battlefield 1: separate war stories and large battles
Battlefield 1 sets its shooter action in the First World War. The campaign is divided into five separate stories, while multiplayer centers on large matches shaped by vehicles and changing weather. This makes it a different fit from Titanfall 2: choose it if the draw is large-scale battles and varied wartime settings.
Overwatch: team strategy through character choice
Overwatch is a team-based, character-driven shooter. Its roster gives players different roles and abilities, and players can change characters after dying. GameSpot’s description makes team composition and adaptation the key appeal, so it is the clearest choice here for someone seeking coordinated multiplayer rather than a solo campaign.
Rank #4
- From the creators of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption
- The deepest and most complex world Rockstar Games has ever created. 4K Ultra HD not available on Xbox One or Xbox One S consoles
- Covers a huge range of 19th century American landscapes
- Play as Arthur Morgan, lead enforcer in the notorious Van der Linde gang
- Interact with every character in the world with more than just your gun
Two more Xbox One games worth considering
Gears of War 4: campaign, Horde and Versus
Xbox Wire included Gears of War 4 among its critically acclaimed console exclusives of 2016. Its recap points to three different ways to play: campaign, Horde 3.0 and Versus multiplayer. Consider it if you want a shooter with both a story mode and dedicated cooperative or competitive options.
Inside: atmospheric platforming and environmental puzzles
Inside is a dark platformer built around environmental puzzles, a useful alternative if you want something unlike the year’s prominent shooters. In a July 2016 feature, Xbox Wire reported a Metacritic average of 92 at that time; that is a dated snapshot, not a current score. The feature also quotes Giant Bomb reviewer Brad Shoemaker praising the careful placement of the game’s visual and animation details. Read Xbox Wire’s contemporary feature on Inside.
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Best Value
- SEGA's collection of Genesis classics comes to a new generation of consoles - and players.
- Over 50 titles across all genres from all-time classics like Sonic and Streets of Rage 2 to deep RPGs like the Phantasy Star series; arcade action, shooters, puzzlers, old favorites and hidden gems.
- New features bring modern convenience to the classics. Save your game at any time, rewind those slip-ups, or customise your controls. Earn bragging rights with online multiplayer and achievements.
- The largest collection of retro classics on console in one great package!
How to narrow the shortlist
- For exploration: start with Forza Horizon 3.
- For stealth and player-led problem-solving: choose Dishonored 2.
- For a shooter campaign plus multiplayer: compare Titanfall 2 and Gears of War 4.
- For large multiplayer battles: look at Battlefield 1.
- For roster-based team tactics: consider Overwatch.
- For a platformer rather than a shooter or racer: try Inside.
The sources support these games as strong, distinct options from the year, not as a single agreed-upon top seven. Forza’s sales and rating distinctions, Xbox Live engagement totals and the Inside score are all tied to their original Xbox Wire reporting dates; they should not be read as current availability or present-day rankings.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
