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.
- Only at Amazon! Limited Edition Content* - The Rogue Infiltrator Character Pack includes cosmetics for Kay and Nix.
- Discover a galaxy of opportunity. Explore distinct locations with bustling cities and cantinas. Race across sprawling outdoor landscapes on your speeder. Each location brings new adventures, unique challenges, and enticing rewards if you’re willing to take the risk.
- Experience an original scoundrel story. Live the high-stakes lifestyle of an outlaw. Turn any situation to your advantage with Nix by your side: fight with your blaster, overcome enemies with stealth and gadgets, or find the right moments to distract enemies and gain the upper hand.
- Embark on high-stakes missions. Take on high-risk, high-reward missions from the galaxy’s crime syndicates. Steal valuable goods, infiltrate secret locations, and outwit enemies as one of the galaxy’s most wanted. Every choice you make influences your ever-changing reputation.
- Jump into the pilot seat. Pilot your ship, the Trailblazer, as you engage in thrilling dogfights with the Empire and other foes. Find the right opportunities to chase, evade, and attack to get the upper hand.
- CampusIQ – Immerse yourself in authentic, fast-paced, college football gameplay with CampusIQ.
- Homefield Advantage – Game-altering homefield advantages rattle your rivals in college football’s toughest places to play. Test your squad’s road game composure and confidence levels as you play through distractions like screen shaking, missing pre-play icons, and moving play art.
- Iconic Atmospheres – From The Big House to the Swamp. From Tuscaloosa to College Station. Experience the decibel-shaking soundscape of college football putting you inside the stadium, alongside all the iconic rituals and traditions that make you feel right at home.
- Wear & Tear – With the new Wear & Tear system as the hits add up, players wear down. Manage your players’ health, limit fatigue, assess risk of injury, and avoid on field mistakes by using strategic substitutions to ensure your players are at their best when it counts the most.
- BOOM Tech - Hit like you mean it with FieldSENSE powered by BOOM Tech. Experience how a physics-informed dynamic tackling system, reengineered Hit Stick, and Ball Carrier Balance unlock realistic collisions & new gameplay animations on both sides of the ball.
- Physics-Based Tackling - Cut loose and attack the ball with powerful Hit Sticks, Cut Sticks, trucks, dives, and stiff arms with more control and realism than ever.
- Reloaded Hit Stick - Bring power in every phase of the game. The reengineered Hit Stick uses a timing-based mechanic to provide harder-hitting control determined by your angle of impact, stick-skill, and accuracy.
- Ball Carrier Balance - Run the rock with confidence and command. A new Ball Carrier Balance and Recovery System gives you control to absorb a big hit, break the tackle, and recover your balance.
- NFL Immersion - A refreshed Franchise experience and new broadcast teams featuring Mike Tirico, Greg Olsen, Kate Scott and Brock Huard immerse you in NFL action like never before.
- Start your journey by customizing your appearance and deciding your Background and Traits
- Venture through the stars and explore more than 1000 planets
- Pilot and command the ship of your dreams.
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- Bonus Content: Order Halo Infinite and receive the exclusive VK78 Commando Rifle Skin only while supplies last. Codes will be distributed after eligible order is placed. In some cases, it may take up to 24-hours after release date for available codes to be distributed.
- The legendary Halo series returns with a groundbreaking multiplayer experience and the most expansive Master Chief campaign yet.
- Campaign: When all hope is lost and humanity’s fate hangs in the balance, the Master Chief is ready to confront the most ruthless foe he’s ever faced. Step inside the armor of humanity’s greatest hero to experience an epic adventure and explore the massive scale of the Halo ring.
- Multiplayer: Halo’s celebrated multiplayer returns, reimagined and free to play. Seasonal updates evolve the experience over time with unique events, new modes and maps, and community-focused content.
- Cross-generation and cross-platform gaming: Halo Infinite provides an amazing experience across the Xbox One and newer family of consoles with stunning graphics and world-class cross-platform play. On Xbox Series X, enjoy enhanced features like up to 120 FPS and greatly reduced load times creating seamless gameplay that ushers in the next generation of gaming.
- Both new and returning characters (32) are stunningly portrayed in high-detailed character models
- TEKKEN 8 continues the tragic saga of the Mishima and Kazama bloodlines and their world-shaking father-and-son grudge matches
- TEKKEN 8 will feature exciting new gameplay focused on “Aggressive” tactics including the new “Heat System”
- In the new single-player mode ‘Arcade Quest’, players can create their own avatar and conquer their rivals in a variety of different arcades
- With a wide variety of customizations to playable characters, avatars, HUD elements, and music – players can tailor their own experience
- DISCOVER UPDATE 2.0: Experience new and overhauled gameplay mechanics to fulfill your wildest cyberpunk fantasies. The free Update 2.0 brings brand new ways to play Cyberpunk 2077, including totally redesigned perks and cyberware systems, pulsating vehicle combat and car chases, a revamped police system, enhanced enemy combat AI, and more.
- CREATE YOUR OWN CYBERPUNK: Become an urban outlaw equipped with cybernetic enhancements and build your legend on the streets of Night City. · EXPLORE THE CITY OF THE FUTURE: Night City is packed to the brim with things to do, places to see, and people to meet. And it’s up to you where to go, when to go, and how to get there.
- BUILD YOUR LEGEND: Go on daring adventures and build relationships with unforgettable characters whose fates are shaped by the choices you make. · EQUIPPED WITH NEXT-GEN FEATURES: Immerse yourself in Night City like never before thanks to faster load times, improved visual and gameplay features, ray tracing and dynamic 4K support, and more.
- CLAIM EXCLUSIVE ITEMS: Claim in-game swag & digital goodies inspired by CD PROJEKT RED games as part of the My Rewards program.
- PHYSICAL EDITION GOODIES: The physical version of Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition includes an exclusive set of stickers and a rewards leaflet with a Wild Hunt Jacket and a Scorch Pistol!
- 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
- Continue Cal’s Journey - No longer a Padawan, Cal has come into his own and grown into a powerful Jedi Knight.
- Go Beyond Your Training – The cinematic combat system returns with additional Force abilities and new lightsaber fighting styles.
- Explore an Untamed Galaxy – Discover new planets and familiar frontiers in the Star Wars galaxy, each with unique challenges, and enemies.
- The Dark Times are closing in – with enemies surrounding him, Cal will need to decide how far he’s willing to go to save those closest to him.
- Some features may require an internet connection and an online subscription.
- Classic Experience Built for a Modern Era: With all core gameplay modes present, plus two brand new modes and enhanced visuals, Street Fighter 6 redefines the classic fighting game genre.
- Distinct Fighting Styles to Master: 18 diverse characters including legendary World Warriors and exciting brand new characters add their own flair to the game at launch, with more to be added post-launch.
- Brand New Game Modes: The Street Fighter franchise continues to hone its skills and redefine the fighting genre with the introduction of three new foundational modes – Fighting Ground, World Tour and Battle Hub.
- In-Game Commentating: Street Fighter’s first-ever Real-Time Commentary Feature, supported with subtitles in 13 languages, incorporates the voices of popular Fighting Game Community (FGC) commentators like Vicious and Aru directly into the game to narrate what is happening on-screen just like a real tournament.
- Two New Control Schemes: Classic Controls returns alongside two brand new options: Modern Controls allow you to perform special attacks with simple button combinations and are designed for players who want to fight without memorizing and practicing special move button combinations first. Dynamic Controls only require a press of the Auto-Attack button to perform attacks and is a great control type to use when you have friends and family over for a quick, casual game.
Last update on 2024-09-20 at 18:00 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
