With over 20 years of history now behind it, the Xbox brand has seen thousands of amazing games land on its consoles. There have of course been a few stinkers along the way, but the best Xbox games are undoubtedly some of the most important ever released. From genre defining shooters to epic RPGs and some that created their own genres, the Xbox console has had it all over the years. Now there are hundreds of great Xbox Series X games you can play right now, with most also being available on the Series S as well. The best of the best can be found below.
Top Xbox Games
The current Xbox consoles already have just about every type of game you can imagine, with the only exceptions being ones that really need a keyboard and mouse to play. This means the current generation of consoles, the Series S and the more powerful Series X have massive catalogues to choose from.
There’s also a big list of backwards compatible games from the older generations you can play. Not every game from the Xbox’s history is playable on modern day hardware, but a good chunk of them are, adding even more options to play. Because of that, this list features only games you can play on the Series X and Series S, be that natively, through backwards compatibility or via the cloud. Games on this list will be the best of the best, based on critical success and cultural impact.
20. Microsoft Flight Simulator
Released on Xbox in 2021, this hardcore flight simulator uses real world map data to let you fly anywhere in the world as realistically as possible. It was developed by Asobo Studio and is the choice if you want to try a realistic flight simulator without spending thousands of dollars.
19. Resident Evil 4 Remake
The 2023 remake of this 2005 horror classic might just be the definite horror game on Xbox, with a tense zombie filled story and some solid action and survival gameplay. If you want a spooky adventure, then Capcom’s Resi 4 remake is your best bet, and perfect for zombie fans.
18. Fable II
Lionhead Studios’ 2008 game is the best Fable has ever been, and with backwards compatibility it still holds up incredibly well. An action RPG that lets you choose if you’re good or bad, Fable II is an epic adventure for those who want to live in a mediaeval fantasy world.
17. Stardew Valley
If you want a chill life where you run a farm and make some friends, then Stardew Valley is for you. Concerned Ape’s 2016 life sim is a cosy game that essentially becomes a second life, and is just a very wholesome time. If you’ve wanted to be a farmer, this is a great option.
16. Diablo IV
Blizzard’s most recent Diablo sends you back to hell to fight a load of demons with some incredibly satisfying ARPG gameplay. Released in 2023 it’s perfect for people who want to kill lots of things in satisfying ways and try to find the rarest loot. You can even do it with friends in co-op.
15. Gears Of War Ultimate Edition
The best third person cover shooter ever was remastered in 2015 and is as good as ever. You run around as giant soldiers, shooting a lot in an epic story that is surprisingly good for a bro shooter from Epic Games. Anyone wanting a good co-op shooter should play this.
14. Batman: Arkham Collection
Getting three great games in one bundle is never bad, and when those games let you live out your fantasy of being Batman it’s even better. Run around as the caped crusader taking down bad guys in this package from 2018 that lets you experience all his Rocksteady adventures. It’s perfect for Batman fans.
13. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition
Bethesda’s Skyrim 10th anniversary package from 2021 is the definitive version of one of the best fantasy RPGs ever made that really is a must-play for everyone. With an incredible world, gripping story and hundreds of hours of content, it doesn’t matter if it’s your first play through or 100th, you’ll find plenty to do.
12. Forza Horizon 5
Drive around a fictionalised Mexico in some of the coolest cars in the world in this 2021 open world arcade racing game that is simply fun to play. Playground Games’ title is one for car fanatics or people who just like going really fast without the real life risks.
11. Cyberpunk 2077
Forget what you know and go into Cyberpunk 2077 fresh, and these days you’ll experience a great RPG from CD Projekt RED in a world that steals the show. Create your cyberpunk self and run around doing crimes and living what looks like an interesting life. Cyberpunk fans will love this one from 2020.
10. Portal 2
One for people who love a mind-bending puzzle, 2011’s Portal 2 teaches you how to think with puzzles, so naturally you’ll feel like a genius multiple times during this experience. You’ll need to complete some of the best designed Valve puzzles ever to beat this, and there’s more than a few laughs along the way.
9. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Another epic RPG, The Witcher 3 by CD Projekt RED is a game like no other, with one of the best open worlds and story combos ever. Combat is surprisingly good with a variety of mediaeval-style options, and just exploring is great fun. RPG fans or readers of the books will love this 2015 game.
8. Hades
Supergiant’s 2020 action rogelike is, for me, all about the incredibly satisfying combat. Darting around slaying mythological foes is brilliant, and with lots of weapons and power ups no two runs are the same. History buffs will enjoy the Greek mythology vibe and story, while others will love the incredible art.
7. BioShock: The Collection
The first BioShock is a game that will stay with you forever, with a world that is mesmerising and a story that keeps you on your toes. Yes, it’s technically a shooter, but the BioShock games are much more than what you expect. Getting all three in this 2016 package from 2K is a steal.
6. Red Dead Redemption 2
Rockstar’s 2018 cowboy open world experience is phenomenal. You ride around a beautiful world living life as a cowboy, which is perfect for western fans who want to be more involved. If you can imagine it, you can probably do it in this world, which is very liberating.
5. Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Bioware’s Mass Effect trilogy is the ultimate space opera, telling a massive story across hundreds of hours. It’s a competent RPG shooter, but it’s the characters and world that keep you playing, making it one for those who can invest in an epic world. This 2021 bundle includes all three main games.
4. Minecraft
The ultimate sandbox from Mojang that launched in 2009, Minecraft is the ultimate game for doing whatever you want. From building epic creations to exploring caves or building a farm, there’s a lot to do, and you are free to do what you want. That makes it the ultimate game for kids, and big kids.
3. Baldur’s Gate 3
A D&D style RPG that is as epic as you’d expect. Larian’s 2023 game is a masterpiece in writing, world design and character creation. You’ll need to be a fantasy fan to enjoy this, but if you are, this is the ultimate game for you, with hundreds of hours of dice rolls and exploration.
2. Elden Ring
From Software’s best “Souls” game isn’t even in the Souls franchise, but 2022’s Elden Ring keeps the core of fantastic combat and brutal difficultly, while making it much more accessible for newcomers. This game is all about trying to clear seemingly impossible enemies, but it’s the most satisfying thing ever when you do.
1. Grand Theft Auto V
Rockstar’s best game, GTA V, is the ultimate crime simulator, giving you a city to run around and commit whatever crimes you can think of, or at least the fun ones. 2013’s GTA V does a great job of being fun at all times, making it enjoyable for everyone over 18.
Bottom Line
These days, the Xbox consoles have a massive catalogue of great games, and it would be impossible to list them all. There’s something for everyone, and if you start with the titles on this list, you can’t really go wrong.
