If you are lucky enough to have found one of the new Xbox Series X or S consoles available for purchase for yourself or to give to someone else as a gift then you are probably interested in knowing more about some of the best games that are available for these consoles as well as finding out about upcoming releases.
This new generation of Xbox consoles is able to give you an awesome gaming experience. Games that are designed for the unique specifications of the Series X|S offer some of the most incredible visuals and gameplay you will ever encounter.
But you don’t have to limit yourself to new games that were created specifically for the Series X and S consoles. Thanks to their backward compatibility you can play virtually every game that was made for the Xbox One on the Series X|S consoles. In fact, you can play literally thousands of games from across four generations of Xbox consoles on the Series X and S consoles. So when you are shopping for games you can also feel free to check out some classic games from the past.
Whether you are looking to buy a game for yourself, as a gift for a loved one, or to treat your kids to a new game when they have a break from school you should think about the following criteria to find out which top video games are the best for you or the person your are shopping for.
- Stick with your favorite genres or series. For example, if you love first-person shooters then you will probably be happier picking up some of the best FPS games for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S than if you bought sports games. In a similar way, if you are a fan of any particular game franchise then you will want to consider the next release in that series.
- Make sure that the content is age-appropriate. If you are buying a game for your kids then you need to know the content so you can be confident that it is appropriate for them. A good way to do this is to make sure you check the game’s ESRB rating before purchasing any game. This will help you avoid any surprises. ESRB ratings are found on the game box.
- Look at what games are popular. In the past, playing video games was something most people did by themselves, but now playing your favorite games is a social activity for a lot of people. Since most video games these days have an online component, you will probably want to play online with your friends to ensure that you get to experience the best multiplayer gaming available. So you may want to think about which games your friends have or are planning on getting. If you don’t know what games your friends are playing look at the best-selling games in the stores you frequent. This will give you an idea of what games people are buying and could give you a clue as to which games might be most popular with your friends.
- Keep in mind what console you are buying the game for. Remember that this latest generation of Xbox consoles has two versions the Series X and the Series S. The Xbox Series S does not have a disc drive, which means that it can’t play physical copies of video games making digital copies of games your only option. Conversely, in addition to its’ SSD drive, the Xbox Series X also has a disc drive, which means that it can play both digital as well as physical copies of games. If you are buying a game for the Series X and aren’t sure whether you should buy digital or physical copies of a game you can check out our article where we compare physical video games vs. digital video game copies and discuss the pros and cons of each.
Before we get to our list of the most popular games we wanted to highlight for your a few games that we really enjoy. Some of these might be on your list and others may not, but all of them could be great as birthday or holiday gifts. If you want to skip directly to the list of the most popular games, click here.
Here Are Some of Our Favorite Xbox Series X & S Video Games
The Sonic the Hedgehog franchise is a long-running and popular video game series known for its fun and age-appropriate games for gamers of all ages. The latest entry in the franchise, Sonic Frontiers, launched on August 17, 2022.
Sonic the Hedgehog’s latest adventure finds him stranded on an ancient island full of unusual creatures. Sonic must search for the missing Chaos Emeralds while navigating the massive Starfall Islands. This open zone platforming adventure is packed with action, adventure, and mystery, and will require Sonic to use all of his speed and agility to overcome the challenges and puzzles around every corner.
NBA 2K23 came out on September 8, 2022, and is considered by many to be the best basketball video game out there. If you are an NBA fan or a basketball fan in general NBA 2K23 should be on your must-have video game list. So if you are looking for a video game for that basketball fan in your life NBA 2K23 will give them hours of entertainment.
Link to buy a digital copy of NBA 2K23
Released on October 7, 2021, Far Cry 6 is the sixth offering in the Far Cry series. The action takes place on the fictional Caribbean island of Yara, which is ruled as a dictatorship by “El Presidente” Antón Castillo who is raising his son Diego to follow in his rule. Players of Far Cry 6 play as Dani Rojas, who is a guerilla fighter trying to overthrow the Castillo regime. If you are looking for an action-adventure first-person shooter game set in an open-world environment Far Cry 6 is a popular option.
Link to buy a digital copy of Far Cry 6
Here is a promotional video that gives you a feel for the game’s storyline.
Every year football fans and video game fans, alike, eagerly await the latest version of the Madden NFL franchise. This year it arrived on August 19, 2022. Madden NFL 23 is sure to please both football and sports video game fans alike.
Link to buy a digital copy of Madden NFL 23
The FIFA Soccer franchise from EA Sports is one of the most polished sports video games out there. FIFA 23 is a must-have video game for that soccer player in your life. It was released on September 27, 2022.
Link to buy a digital copy of FIFA 23
If you are looking for a party game and like music and dancing, Just Dance 2023 is a terrific game to consider. Released on November 2, 2022, this new version is great fun for families as well as holiday gatherings or other get-togethers.
Link to buy a digital copy of Just Dance 2023
The latest LEGO Star Wars video game, The Skywalker Saga, was released on April 5, 2022, for the Xbox Series X/S consoles.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is a great choice for both young and old Star Wars fans. The game is based on the nine-part Skywalker saga, featuring over 300 playable characters and over 100 vehicles, and is full of puzzles to solve and enemies to defeat. The game also features cooperative multiplayer modes, making it a great choice for family gaming sessions.
Link to buy a digital copy of LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
We’ve been waiting on this game for quite some time, and Halo Infinite arrives on December 8, 2021! This is the latest installment in the Halo series, which has always been known as a top-notch first-person shooter franchise, but Halo Infinite is poised to take things to another level. The long-awaited return of the legendary series offers the most expansive Master Chief campaign yet, with a showdown against the most ruthless foe he’s ever encountered. Plus, Halo Infinite offers a groundbreaking free-to-play multiplayer experience.
Link to buy a digital copy of Halo Infinite
Here is the official Halo Infinite Launch Trailer.
Over the years Star Wars has not only provided us with a multitude of movies, toys, and more recently spin-off series like The Mandalorian, and it has also given us several Star Wars inspired video games. The most recent game is Star Wars: Squadrons, which was released on October 2, 2020. If you or the person you are shopping for have ever watched one of the Star Wars movies and ever wished that you could be a pilot in one of the X-wing fighters, TIE fighters, or ships from any of the other starfighter classes from both the New Republic and Imperial fleets, this is the video game for you. You can play the thrilling Star Wars single-player story set in the time after Return of the Jedi. You can also compete online in multiplayer modes (Dogfight, Fleet Battles, and Custom Matches).
Link to buy a digital copy of Star Wars: Squadrons
The Official Reveal Trailer (below) gives you a great feel for what the game is like.
HERE-The Xbox One exclusive, Sea of Thieves is an action-adventure video game where you get to live the pirate life as you sail and fight together, hunt for treasure, and create your own legends. You can experience a world of unspoiled islands, mythical monsters, and treasures. In this game, you have the freedom to decide how you approach the world as well as the other players.
Link to buy a digital copy of Sea of Thieves
The 18th and newest game in the Call of Duty series is Call of Duty: Vanguard, which was just released on November 5, 2021. This visually impressive first-person shooter is set during WWII where you will experience combat around the globe.
Any game franchise that has been around this long has a large fanbase and with that fanbase comes high expectations meaning these Call of Duty (COD) games have a lot to live up to. To be fair we should mention that with COD: Vanguard some diehard fans feel that it is too similar to some past titles, while others believe the game offers too little innovation in the gameplay department. That said, between its campaign, multiplayer, and zombie modes Call of Duty: Vanguard most people will find that it is a very fun game to play.
Link to buy a digital copy of Call of Duty: Vanguard
Below is a trailer that gives you a feel for the game.
If WWII isn’t your cup of tea, maybe you will find the Cold War period of the 1980s more interesting. Taking place in the depths of the Cold War’s volatile geopolitical battle of the early 1980s, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War puts you in locations like East Berlin, Vietnam, Turkey, Soviet KGB headquarters, and more. Offering tactical, grounded gameplay and player choice, it is hard to go wrong with the Call of Duty franchise for online combat fans.
Link to buy a digital copy of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
Here is a promotional video that gives you a flavor of what the game is like.
HERE-Between allowing players to turn their imaginations loose playing in creative mode and going on adventures in survival mode the action in Minecraft never ends. You can play alone or with friends in split-screen multiplayer and online. That is why Minecraft has been a favorite on the Xbox One since it was released. Know that you need the Xbox Live Gold Membership in order to play Minecraft online. Minecraft is rated: E for Everyone 10+
If you enjoy racing video games Forza Horizon 5 is hard to beat. The Forza racing and driving video games, which are exclusive to Xbox consoles, have long been favorites on the Xbox One and that hasn’t changed with Forza Horizon 5. This newly updated title, which was released on November 9, 2021, is a surefire winner for that car or racing enthusiast on your list.
Below is the launch trailer that will give you get a better feel for what the game is like.
If you are looking for an affordably priced video game that is different from so many of the games out there Ori and the Will of the Wisps, which was released on March 11, 2020, is a beautifully crafted game where you explore a vast, beautiful, immersive, and dangerous world filled with gripping enemy encounters, challenging puzzles and thrilling escape sequences as you unravel Ori’s true destiny. This engaging, story-driven adventure is the follow-up to the 2016 release Ori and the Blind Forest is exclusive to Xbox consoles. Rated E for Everyone, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is appropriate for gamers of all ages.
Link to buy a digital copy of Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Red Dead Redemption 2 is an epic tale of life in America at the dawn of the modern age. Set in 1899 America, the end of the wild west era has begun as lawmen hunt down the last remaining outlaw gangs. Those who will not surrender or succumb are killed. Even though Red Dead Redemption 2 was released on October 26, 2018, this immersive game continues to be very popular and was still one of the top-selling games during the 2020 holiday season.
Below is our list of the Top 10 Most Popular Xbox Series X and Series S Games for 2024. Enjoy.
- Dominate the league in EA SPORTS Madden NFL 26.
- Years of NFL game data powers next-level coaching, QB authenticity, and explosive gameplay.
- Every game is a new challenge on your path to becoming an NFL legend.
- THE NEW STANDARD OF FPS COMBAT: With overhauled gunplay and tactical movement, from crouch sprint to drag and revive, every shot and movement is more instinctual and precise.The ultimate all-out warfare experience.This is Battlefield 6.
- MULTIPLAYER Victory, however you envision it. Battlefield 6 has more ways to win than ever before.
- GLOBAL SCALE CAMPAIGN Join an elite squad of Marine Raiders fighting relentlessly to save a world on the edge of collapse.
- PORTAL Battlefield Portal is a massive sandbox where creators and players can push Battlefield to the limit. Take unprecedented control of your environment by moving, scaling, and duplicating objects.
- POWERED BY ProPLAY: Dominate every possession with immersive technology that directly translates NBA footage into realistic gameplay. Feel more connected to every dribble and crossover with revamped size-ups and experience fast-paced, dynamic movement with all-new ProPLAY features.
- SQUAD UP IN THE CITY: Build a transcendent MyPLAYER and climb the competitive ranks to reach the pinnacle of NBA stardom in an all-new MyCAREER journey. Team up with friends in a stunning, streamlined City, earn recognition and increase your REP, and battle rival squads for Park supremacy.
- UNITE STARS IN MyTEAM: Collect and compete with past and present legends of the game in MyTEAM. Assemble a star-studded roster, put your dream team to the test in new single-player and multiplayer modes, and acquire new cards to make your MyTEAM fantasy a reality.
- YOUR TEAM, YOUR STORY: Lead an NBA franchise as a General Manager in MyNBA. Choose from all 30 teams, experience 30 unique MyGM storylines with real-world inspiration, and chase the ultimate goal: to win a championship. Influence the future of the sport and leave an indelible mark on the league.
- English (Subtitle)
- Ignite your passion and build your very own path to greatness—from high school all the way to the Hall of Fame! Along the way, connect with iconic baseball stars in fan-favorite modes – updated with new ways to play.
- Begin your RTTS journey by playing High School and College games in The Amateur Years.
- Collect and earn player cards in Diamond Dynasty: 360, as you craft your very own lineup – with no more time-limited season restrictions.
- Experience exciting new gameplay in all modes: featuring a variety of all-new RTTS Impact Plays, G.O.A.T difficulty for the ultimate challenge, all-new Ambush Hitting for a more realistic “plan of attack” at the plate, faster online gameplay and hundreds of new animations for extreme realism – and much more!
- Celebrate history in Storylines while you learn about baseball legends and their amazing tales.
- Bring Glory Home in EA SPORTS College Football 26
- Experience college football from high school recruit to the Heisman
- Forge your legacy as a coach.
- BE A BADASS: Become an unstoppable force of battle, blasting through enemies with an all-new arsenal of outrageous weaponry. Move across the Borderlands like never before—double jumping, gliding, dodging, grappling, and more—dealing death from every direction. Explode each encounter with devastating Action Skills that unleash your Vault Hunter's unique abilities. Craft your perfect build with branching skill trees and a deep, rewarding loot chase full of wild weapons and powerful gear.
- FIGHT SOLO OR CO-OP: Wreaking havoc across Kairos is awesome alone and even better with friends in 2-player splitscreen or up to 4-player online co-op.* Borderlands 4 is designed for co-op from the ground up; whether you're hunting for loot, tackling missions, or wandering freely, level scaling and individual difficulty keeps the party together and having fun.
- LESS BORDERS, MORE LANDS: Freely explore a vast and dangerous world rife with warring factions. Hop on your hover bike and ride through lush fields, towering peaks, and deadly deserts full of fearsome enemies, dynamic events, and engaging quests with unforgettable characters. Unite the people of Kairos and ignite a revolution, tackling this adventure however you see fit in a seamless Borderlands experience.
- English (Subtitle)
- ELDEN RING is a fantasy action-RPG adventure set within a world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki—creator of the influential DARK SOULS video game series; and George R.R. Martin—author of The New York Times best-selling fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire
- Danger and discovery lurk around every corner in FromSoftware’s largest game to-date
- HIDETAKA MIYAZAKI: President and Game Director of FromSoftware Inc. Known for directing critically-acclaimed games in beloved franchises including Armored Core and Dark Souls
- GEORGE R. R. MARTIN: the #1 The New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including the acclaimed series A Song of Ice and Fire—A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast For Crows, and A Dance with Dragons
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- REAL FEEL: Swing your swing and play your game with new EvoSwing mechanics—new shot types, ball flights, roll physics, and visual improvements.
- MAJOR TOURNAMENTS HAVE ARRIVED: The U.S. Open Championship, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship make their 2K Franchise debut.
- MyCAREER AND MyPLAYER, YOUR WAY: Step into the most immersive MyCAREER yet. Dynamically simulate rounds, play through training and pre-tournament events. Be your authentic self in MyPLAYER with diverse customizations, a new Attributes Points system, upgraded Skill Trees, and an all-new Equipment Progression system.
- UNLEASH YOUR INNER COURSE ARCHITECT: Design your dream course with Course Designer! New tools, surfaces, objects, and more control with higher-res terrain. Show off your courses in all their natural beauty with an all-new camera system.
- ONE PIECE ODYSSEY is an RPG project filled with the unique elements of adventure from ONE PIECE that has been highly desired by fans
- Enjoy what you love about RPGs but with your favorite characters and an original touch from the ONE PIECE universe
- Defeat new enemies, unravel mysteries, and unearth a whole adventure with your favorite Straw Hats
- In addition to Luffy, you can play as Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Chopper, Robin, Frankie, and Brook
- English (Playback Language)
- POWERED BY ProPLAY - Bring your game to life with ProPLAY, immersive technology that directly translates NBA footage into engaging gameplay. Get up close and personal with your favorite NBA superstars and immerse yourself in clutch moments, as ProPLAY powers the most authentic NBA experience to date.
- COMPETE IN THE CITY - The City is the ultimate proving ground; hit the park for some competitive streetball fun and compete at various new venues. Pay homage to legends of the game in MyCAREER as you eclipse their milestone achievements and usher in the greatest dynasty basketball has ever seen. Let your talents shine in a bustling City and etch your name among the greats.
- BUILD YOUR DYNASTY - Build a dynasty that transcends eras and redefine what it means to be the best as a General Manager in MyNBA. Explore the unique challenges that come with overseeing an NBA front office and cherish the ultimate reward of winning a championship, or multiple. Choose from six Eras, including an all-new Era, and become the next mastermind to change the game forever.
Last update on 2025-10-28 at 22:11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
