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There is no single Xbox Series X game that is best for everyone. These 28 picks cover racing, role-playing, action, shooters, strategy and story-driven adventures, so you can choose by mood, preferred play style and appetite for challenge. Check each game’s current platform listing and Game Pass status before you buy: subscription catalogs, regions and editions can change.
How to choose a game you’ll actually enjoy
Use genre as a starting point, then consider whether you want a solo campaign or multiplayer, how much complexity or difficulty you enjoy, and how much time you want to invest. Xbox’s games page groups titles by genres such as action/adventure, racing, role-playing, shooter and strategy. It also explains that Series X|S-optimized games can offer enhanced performance, visuals and faster loading; confirm optimization on the listing for the specific game.
Game Pass can change whether a game is worth buying outright. Inclusion depends on the live catalog, plan tier and region, and may change. The Microsoft Store’s filtered catalog combines Series X|S-optimized listings with Game Pass labels and paid options. Check the current listing rather than relying on an older roundup.
28 Xbox Series X games to consider
This is a recommendation list, not an objective ranking. The GamesRadar+ and TechRadar lists below provide editorial context and descriptions; they do not establish that every reader will prefer the same games. Confirm current Series X compatibility and the edition you want before purchasing.
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#1 Best Overall
Grand Theft Auto VI - Xbox Series X|S (Code in Box, Delivers 11/12/26, Playable 11/19/26)
- This product contains a download code inside the box — no disc is included. Customer shipments will begin arriving November 12 for pre-load; game is playable starting November 19.
- Pre-order to receive the Vintage Vice City Pack.
- Grand Theft Auto VI is a single-player experience.
Racing and open worlds
- Forza Horizon 6 — A 2026 release set in open-world Japan, according to GamesRadar+. Consider it if you want open-road racing and exploration rather than a tightly linear campaign.
- Forza Horizon 5 — A long-running open-world racing choice for players who want varied driving and a broad map to explore. Check its current listing for platform and access details.
Role-playing games and expansive adventures
- Baldur’s Gate 3 — GamesRadar+ identifies Larian Studios as its developer and publisher and ranks it among its leading RPG choices. Its appeal is the role-playing and decision-making experience; check the current Microsoft Store listing for the edition and purchase options.
- Elden Ring — FromSoftware and Bandai Namco’s 2022 action RPG is a strong fit if you want exploration and demanding combat. GamesRadar+ ranks it highly; the Microsoft Store catalog showed it as a paid listing when accessed on October 8, 2026.
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 — TechRadar Gaming Editor Dashiell Wood calls it “a triumph, weaving complex systems together in an incredibly immersive medieval world”. It suits players looking for a detailed medieval role-playing experience.
- Starfield — A science-fiction role-playing option named in GamesRadar+’s recommendations. Check its live listing for current access and platform details.
- Avowed — Another role-playing pick in the GamesRadar+ list. Verify its current listing and any subscription inclusion before deciding whether to buy.
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — Included among GamesRadar+’s recommendations and its dated list of games available through Game Pass. Confirm the current catalog, plan and region.
Action, adventure and shooters
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle — A story-led action-adventure recommendation in GamesRadar+’s list. Its dated availability snapshot included it with Game Pass; check current access before subscribing or purchasing.
- Gears 5 — GamesRadar+ names it among its recommendations and titles included in Game Pass at the time of its article. A natural option for players after a shooter; verify current catalog status and platform listing.
- Star Wars Jedi: Survivor — Listed by GamesRadar+ as a recommendation and included in its dated Game Pass snapshot. Check the live listing for current inclusion and edition information.
- Deathloop — GamesRadar+ includes it among recommended games and in its dated list of Game Pass titles. Its listing is worth checking if you want an action game with a distinctive time-loop premise.
- Alan Wake 2 — GamesRadar+ recommends it but listed it as unavailable through Game Pass when its article was written. That is a dated status, not a guarantee of today’s catalog; check before buying.
- Resident Evil 4 Remake — A survival-horror recommendation from GamesRadar+. Its article listed it as unavailable on Game Pass at the time; verify current availability and edition.
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows — Included in GamesRadar+’s recommendations, but its list said it was not available through Game Pass at publication. Check its current store listing and access options.
Co-op, multiplayer and shared worlds
- It Takes Two — A co-op choice in GamesRadar+’s list. The article listed it as unavailable through Game Pass at the time; confirm current access and whether the edition suits your setup.
- Sea of Thieves — GamesRadar+ names it among its recommendations and its Game Pass-included titles at the time of writing. Check the current listing, plan and region if you want to play through a subscription.
- Grounded — A GamesRadar+ recommendation that appeared in its dated Game Pass availability list. Consider it for a shared survival adventure, and verify current inclusion before relying on it as part of a subscription.
- Gears 5 — For players weighing a shooter with shared play against a solo campaign, this is also worth considering; its current multiplayer and catalog details should be checked in the listing.
Strategy, inventive worlds and other distinctive picks
- Pentiment — GamesRadar+ includes it among its Game Pass titles at the time of its article. It is a different kind of pick from a blockbuster action game; check its listing for current access.
- Psychonauts 2 — A GamesRadar+ recommendation listed as included with Game Pass in that article’s dated snapshot. Check the current catalog and Series X listing.
- The Alters — GamesRadar+ names it among its recommendations and its included Game Pass games at the time. Confirm current access and platform details.
- Diablo 4 — A GamesRadar+ recommendation that its article listed as unavailable through Game Pass at the time. Because subscription status can change, check the live store before purchasing.
- Cyberpunk 2077 — Another GamesRadar+ recommendation listed as unavailable through Game Pass in its dated snapshot. Confirm current catalog status, platform and edition.
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered — A GamesRadar+ list pick for players considering a role-playing adventure. Check the live listing for current platform and access details.
- Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown — GamesRadar+ includes it among its recommendations. Verify its current platform listing and whether it fits the kind of action-adventure you want.
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth — A role-playing recommendation in GamesRadar+’s list. Check the listing for edition, compatibility and current purchase options.
- Metaphor: ReFantazio — Another RPG named in GamesRadar+’s recommendations. Confirm the current Series X listing and edition before buying.
Should you buy a game or use Game Pass?
GamesRadar+’s availability statements are a snapshot from when its 2026 list was written, not a current catalog guarantee. Its article named Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Gears 5, Grounded, Pentiment, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, The Alters, Sea of Thieves, Starfield, Deathloop, Psychonauts 2, Forza Horizon 6, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and Avowed as included titles. It listed Alan Wake 2, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, It Takes Two, Diablo 4, Cyberpunk 2077, Resident Evil 4 Remake, Baldur’s Gate 3 and Elden Ring as unavailable through Game Pass at that time. Use the current Microsoft Store catalog to confirm availability, plan and region.
For a game you expect to replay, a separate purchase may make more sense than relying on a changing subscription catalog. For a short-term interest or a game you are unsure about, check whether it is currently included before paying separately. No price, physical stock level or edition is established here, so compare the current listing for the version you intend to play.
Rank #2
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 | Standard Edition | XBOX Series X
- BONUS 2X OFFER — Purchase Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 at Amazon and receive 5 hours of Double XP.**
- PRE-ORDER BONUS — Pre-order and unlock the Hunter Killer Operator Skin and the Gilded Pearl Camo Pack.*
- GLOBE‑SPANNING CAMPAIGN — Fight across the Korean Peninsula, New York, Paris, and Mumbai in a high‑stakes narrative where global conflict escalates and survival depends on tactical precision.
- MULTIPLAYER BUILT ON CONTROL — Engage in grounded, precise combat where fluid movement, player choice, and refined mechanics give you greater control in every firefight.
- TACTICAL DMZ OPERATIONS — Deploy behind enemy lines as an off‑the‑books asset, making high‑risk decisions on objectives and extraction in a dynamic mode where every run counts.
What to verify before you choose
- Platform: Confirm that the specific game and edition support Xbox Series X; some listings may cover multiple Xbox generations or editions.
- Optimization: Check whether the listing identifies the game as Series X|S optimized if enhanced performance, visuals or loading matter to you.
- Access: Verify Game Pass inclusion, required plan and region on the live catalog. Subscription availability is not permanent.
- Play style: Check whether the experience is primarily solo, co-op or online if that affects your decision.
- Edition: Compare editions and included content before purchasing; a title name alone does not identify what a listing contains.
More Xbox Series X recommendations
For a different editorial perspective, see TechRadar’s Xbox Series X games list (updated May 14, 2026), GamesRadar+’s 2026 recommendations and GameSpot’s 2026 recommendations. Their selections and rankings are editorial judgments; use them to discover options, then confirm platform and availability in the current store.
Quick Recap
Bestseller No. 1
Bestseller No. 2
Bestseller No. 3
Bestseller No. 5
Best Value
NBA 2K27 - Xbox Series X
- THE CITY: Put The City on your back and lead a new era of MyPLAYERs fueled by basketball. Let your passion power your unique style on and off the court, team up with friends to form a Crew, and dominate the courts at The REC, Park, and beyond.
- MyCAREER: Create a MyPLAYER and experience a legacy-defining story in MyCAREER, where you’ll be tested on your path to becoming the greatest player of all time. Shatter expectations, compete against legends of the sport, and leave your mark on NBA history.
- POWERED BY ProPLAY: Master your skills with lifelike gameplay animations directly translated from real NBA action. Use an array of ProPLAY features to cook defenders with ankle-breaking crossovers, show off your range with enhanced shooting mechanics, and become a matchup nightmare every time you step on the court.
- MyTEAM: Collect your favorite NBA and WNBA stars with ease and build a fantasy squad for the ages. Grow your collection and assemble endless lineup combinations; take control of your MyTEAM and put it to the test in single-player and multiplayer modes.
Rank #4
Sale
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced- Xbox Series X
- BECOME A FEARSOME PIRATE- Strike fear in your foes as you board and sink enemy vessels as Edward Kenway, captain of the Jackdaw. Whether blending into crowds or leading daring assaults, switch between silent takedowns and fierce brawls as you effortlessly wield swords, pistols, and the Hidden Blade. With a cast of historical pirate legends at your side, defy empires amidst the age-old conflict opposing Assassins and Templars.
- A CLASSIC REBUILT FOR AN ENHANCED EXPERIENCE- Combat has been rebuilt for more dynamic encounters, emphasizing parries and takedowns, while stealth and parkour have been improved for smoother escapes and assassinations. Continuously upgrade the Jackdaw to face powerful enemy ships with enhanced naval mechanics featuring new alternate fire modes. Quality-of-life additions also address previous pain points, ensuring your experience is improved.
- THE CARIBBEAN LIKE NEVER BEFORE- Whether you’re sailing the open seas or journeying across untamed lands, discover a seamless open world built with the latest Anvil engine. Take in sweeping vistas as you brave stormy waters, dive into underwater shipwrecks, or push through dense tropical jungles. Enhanced by features such as Dolby Atmos and ray tracing, every scene feels more immersive, bringing the world’s beauty to life.
- EXPANDING EDWARD’S ADVENTURE- Building on top of the original story, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced introduces exclusive new content. Familiar faces will return, with new storylines dedicated to fan-favorite characters such as Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet. Unexpected allies will also cross your path, as three officers join you on your journey as part of the main narrative. More surprises await, such as new sea shanties, pets, a photo mode, and more.
Rank #3
007 First Light - Specialist Edition - Xbox Series X
- ONLY AT AMAZON - SPECIALIST EDITION
- EARN THE NUMBER - Discover a new James Bond origin story, and the events that led a young maverick to become the best MI6 agent.
- A THRILLING ESPIONAGE ADVENTURE - Embark on missions in breathtaking locations, drive iconic vehicles, and dive into a cinematic adventure in pursuit of a rogue agent who’s always one step ahead.
- SPYING, YOUR WAY - Go silent or go loud. Whether fighting with fists or firepower, using gadgets to infiltrate, or bluffing your way past guards, the approach is entirely up to you.
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.
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