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 2023. Enjoy.
- XBOX SERIES X & FORZA HORIZON 5 PREMIUM: Explore the vibrant and ever-evolving open world landscapes of Mexico in the world’s greatest cars.
- XBOX SERIES X: The fastest, most powerful Xbox ever. Explore rich new worlds with 12 teraflops of raw graphic processing power, DirectX ray tracing, a custom SSD, and 4K gaming.*
- FORZA HORIZON 5 PREMIUM EDITION: Fully loaded with Forza Horizon 5, add-ons include: Rally Adventure expansion, Hot Wheels expansion, Welcome Pack, VIP Membership, Car Pass.
- FASTER LOAD TIMES: Make the most of every gaming minute with Quick Resume, lightning-fast load times, and gameplay of up to 120 FPS – all powered by Xbox Velocity Architecture.
- LOOKS AND PLAYS BEST: Enjoy thousands of games from four generations of Xbox, with hundreds of optimized titles that look and play better than ever.
- 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.
- English (Subtitle)
- Break off more big plays - New 360° Cuts give you the freedom and fluidity as the ball-carrier to hit the gaps you want to, plant-and-go, and elude defenders.
- Drop dimes all over the field - Lead your receivers open, drop back-shoulder throws into tight windows, and place every pass where only your receiver can catch it.
- Wreak hit-stick havoc - Redefining defensive pursuit, new Hit Everything mechanics let you be more disruptive on defense.
- Win the battle off the line - A suite of new wide receiver release moves and defensive back counter press mechanics make for some fancy footwork and 1-v-1 battles.
- The next evolution of ultra-real gameplay has arrived on New Gen with NBA 2K23
- The City is yours for the taking in the most immersive MyCAREER journey to date.
- Step back in time with era-specific visuals that captured Michael Jordan’s ascent from collegiate sensation to global icon with immersive Jordan Challenges chronicling his career-defining dominance.
- Ball without limits as you collect and assemble a bevy of legendary talent from any era in MyTEAM.
- Reawaken a Classic – Resident Evil 4 preserves the essence of the original game, now reconstructed using Capcom’s proprietary RE Engine to deliver realistic visuals and additional narrative depth to the iconic story that was not possible at the time of the original release.
- Modernized Gameplay – The team from 2019’s Resident Evil 2 returns to build upon the series’ modern approach to survival horror. Engage in frenzied combat with the Ganados villagers, explore a European village gripped by madness, and solve puzzles to access new areas and collect useful items for Leon and Ashley’s constant struggle to survive.
- Overwhelming Hordes – Face hordes of rabid enemies that threaten to overwhelm Leon with even more diverse methods of attack than in the original release.
- Survive on a Knife’s Edge – Years of intense training have taught Leon new ways to use his knife, helping to even the odds against the unrelenting onslaught of enemies. By parrying enemy attacks, you can avoid debilitating damage and evade lunging enemies seeking to grab Leon and hold him in place. Make smart use of scavenged knives to deliver precise finishing moves on vulnerable enemies, and even use the element of surprise to quietly dispatch unsuspecting foes before they break.
- Reimagined Story – Resident Evil 4 dials up the original release’s key feelings of loneliness and the fear of enemies blinded by zealotry, while providing more nuanced depictions of the character motivations and relationships that defined the 2005 survival horror icon.
- All graphics fully remastered in HD, bringing the game to the latest console generationPre-order now to receive the SOLDIER Materia Set: Dark Fire, Dark Thunder, and Dark Blizzard; See description below for full details
- Renewed 3D models, including characters and backgrounds, enriching the visual experience
- Improved battle system providing a vastly smoother gameplay experience
- Fully voiced dialogue in both English and Japanese
- A newly arranged soundtrack from the original composer, Takeharu Ishimoto
![Hogwarts Legacy: Standard Edition - Xbox Series X|S [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Yu5j3rQRL._SL160_.jpg)
- EXPLORE AN OPEN WORLD - The wizarding world awaits you. Freely roam Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, and the surrounding Overland area.
- BE THE WITCH OR WIZARD YOU WANT TO BE - Learn spells, brew potions, grow plants, and tend to magical beasts along your journey. Get sorted into your house, forge relationships, and master skills to become the witch or wizard you want to be.
- EXPERIENCE A NEW WIZARDING WORLD ADVENTURE - Experience the wizarding world in an unexplored era to uncover a hidden truth from its past. Battle against trolls, Dark Wizards, goblins, and more as you face a dangerous villain threatening the fate of the wizarding world.
- Officially Licensed by Microsoft for Xbox
- Proprietary, Lag-free 2.4GHz Wireless Connection
- Upgraded, 24+ Hour Battery Life
- Gen 2 Mic for Clear chat with teammates
- Powerful, amplified 50mm speakers tuned for surround sound
- Dead Island 2 takes players across the most iconic locations of the City of Angels, now stained with horror, in an exciting pulp journey from the verdant suburbia of Beverly Hills to the quirky promenade of Venice Beach
- Combat delivers the most intense, visceral and gory first person experience possible, with plenty of weapons and tactical (and brutal) options to chew your way through the zombie horde
- There are 6 characters to choose from, each with their own unique personality and dialogues - You can fully customize the abilities of each Slayer, with our brand-new skill system allowing you to re-spec instantly and try out the craziest builds.
- Our LA is crawling with zombies that look & react realistically - These mutated wretches are the reanimated, rotten heart of Dead Island 2 with dozens of distinct zombie types, each with their own mutations, attacks & hundreds of LA-themed variants
- Day 1 Edition includes the Memories of Banoi Pack - Banoi War Club, Memories of Banoi Baseball Bat, Weapon Perk – balanced, Personal space skill card
- EXPLORE AN OPEN WORLD. The wizarding world awaits you. Freely roam Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, and the surrounding Overland area.
- BE THE WITCH OR WIZARD YOU WANT TO BE. Learn spells, brew potions, grow plants, and tend to magical beasts along your journey. Get sorted into your house, forge relationships, and master skills to become the witch or wizard you want to be.
- EXPERIENCE A NEW WIZARDING WORLD ADVENTURE. Experience the wizarding world in an unexplored era to uncover a hidden truth from its past. Battle against trolls, Dark Wizards, goblins, and more as you face a dangerous villain threatening the fate of the wizarding world.
- Please note that although this game is Region Free or Region Unlocked and will work on all systems, this is the international version and may differ from the local version in age rating, labeling or instructions.
Last update on 2023-05-28 at 18:54 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
