The best Xbox Series X|S games feature a little bit of everything. From adaptations of beloved movies, great entries in legendary Xbox franchises, and breakout indie gems, there’s a little something for everyone.
Thanks to Xbox Game Pass, gamers can choose from a variety of great games, but which are the best for today’s Xbox consoles?
We’re here to help, highlighting first-party releases and third-party gems every Xbox owner should experience.
As of August 2026, these are the best games for Xbox Series X|S, presented in no particular order.
Indiana Jones and The Great Circle
The newest entry is a cinematic action-adventure experience. For those looking for a modern Indiana Jones story worthy of the franchise’s legacy, look no further.
The Great Circle features a surprisingly good story, backed by the thrilling action we know and love from the Indiana Jones movies. What’s remarkable isn’t how much better it is than the two modern sequels; that’s not exactly a hard accomplishment. Instead, its crowning achievement is how well it compares to the Indiana Jones trilogy.
Rumor is that we could be in store for more Indiana Jones games. If they’re anything like The Great Circle, sign us up.
Alan Wake 2
The long awaited sequel to the Xbox 360 survival horror game, Alan Wake 2 is an experience that needs to be seen to be believed.
It’s not afraid to get too meta, pushing the boundaries of the gaming medium while refusing to buckle under the weight of its ambition.
Focusing on more of a survival horror experience works exceptionally well, adding to the game’s tension as it draws players in on the edge of their seats.
There aren’t many games like Alan Wake 2 that exist, and we are better for it existing.
007 First Light
One of 2026’s biggest surprises is also one of the year’s best Xbox games.
I don’t think that anyone would have thought that 007 First Light was going to be bad; IO Interactive, the developer for the game and makers of the Hitman franchise, have an excellent track record. I just don’t think anyone expected 007 First Light to be this good.
Everything just works so well, not just in terms of an excellent stealth action game, but also as a proper entry in the James Bond franchise. Is it better than GoldenEye 007? Honestly…yes. Yes, it is.
Follow us on MSN for more of the content you love.
Elden Ring
FromSoftware‘s magnum opus combines everything we know and love about the Dark Souls games with an open world environment.
The freedom players have to see and do what they want is impressive, albeit at times as daunting as the game’s enemies. Yet nothing is as rewarding as vanquishing a challenging foe.
Gorgeous visuals, haunting music, and perfect gameplay all come together in one of the most impressive video games ever made.
Baldur’s Gate 3
You know a game is good when you can spend over 300 hours playing and still routinely discover something new.
Baldur’s Gate 3 offers an impressive amount of player freedom, providing infinite possibilities.
No other game can deliver an RPG experience like this. Featuring some of the best writing ever seen in a video game, extraordinary characters, and a deep, strategic combat system, Baldur’s Gate 3 deserves every ounce of praise it has ever received.
Halo Infinite
Halo Infinite‘s campaign is a delight to play through. The franchise embraces the open-world sandbox design. Combined with fast-paced gameplay and a surprising amount of creativity, it’s easy to overcome any issues involving the game’s story.
However, the real treat is the game’s multiplayer. It may not reach the heights of the original trilogy, but it’s pretty darn close.
The grappling hook is a welcome addition, adding a much welcomed twist to Halo combat that pays off in spades. Halo multiplayer is back, and hopefully, the series’ next entry can capitalize on its momentum.
Forza Horizon 6
The Forza Horizon series has always been an excellent combination of open-world arcade racing with the realistic look and feel of the Forza Motorsport franchise.
For a while, Forza Horizon 5 was the benchmark of the racing genre, delivering an unforgettable open world along with unparalleled racing physics. Finally, after several years, the king has been dethroned.
Forza Horizon 6 takes everything you know and love about the franchise and ramps it up to eleven. Exploring Japan is a dream come true, giving you every chance to explore the country’s natural beauty. Throw in a seemingly endless amount of things to see and do, including some over-the-top moments, and you have the makings of one of the best racing games of all time.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
One of the best games from the Xbox 360 era is remastered for modern consoles, and we’re better for it.
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is the definitive version of the Mass Effect games.
From the improvements to the original game to the inclusion of the DLC in Mass Effect 3, this is the ultimate way to experience one of gaming’s best sagas.
Grand Theft Auto 5
While we (im)patiently wait for Grand Theft Auto 6, Grand Theft Auto 5 continues to be the gold standard for open world gaming.
Rockstar Games proves they’re at the top of their game with this impressive showcase. Looking back, I’m not sure how this game ever ran on an Xbox 360; it feels like it was always made for modern consoles.
Add in the endless support and bevy of content within Grand Theft Auto Online, and you have more than enough to see and do until Grand Theft Auto 6 releases.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Or, you could trade in the streets of the San Andreas region for a trip through the Old West.
As good as Grand Theft Auto 5 is, Red Dead Redemption 2 is arguably Rockstar’s magnum opus. Not only have they once again perfected open-world gameplay, but the storytelling here is second to none.
If there’s been one weakness of the modern era of Rockstar Games, it’s that their storytelling hasn’t always found a way to stick the landing. That’s not an issue here. Arthur Morgan’s story is gripping, emotional, and heartbreaking. While it’s easy to hope that GTA 6 takes inspiration from its predecessor, we’re hoping that Grand Theft Auto 6 can exceed the heights of Red Dead Redemption 2.
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk‘s troubled launch remains a topic of discussion years later, but thankfully for CD Projekt, it’s usually followed by words of positivity about their determination to keep working on the game and turn things around.
Everyone remembers their first time in Night City. You quickly become fully immersed in the grimy technological dystopia, and the player has a lot of freedom to choose how they make them. The writing shines through and through, especially regarding the characters. Johnny Silverhand, in particular, stands out, with Keanu Reeves giving a fantastic performance packed with grit and emotion.
While we wait patiently for Witcher 4, there is no better time than now to play one of the best RPGs of the decade and dive back into Night City.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
2019’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order proved single-player games from licensed properties can still succeed in today’s gaming landscape.
Its 2023 sequel, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, expands on everything that made the original great.
Refined and polished to near perfection, it’s not just a brilliant action game but also one of the best Star Wars games of all time.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
2024 has been a year of incredible achievements in gaming, but the most impressive might be Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
It’s a bold new direction for the Yakuza series, but one that pays off.
Thanks to stellar writing, Infinite Wealth takes you on a goofy, dramatic ride that will leave you thinking about its story well after the credits roll. Provided you can peel away from the nearly infinite amount of side-content available.
Hades II
Hades II is just more Hades, and that’s all it really needed to be if I’m being honest.
Each run is more exciting than the last, the characters are better than ever, and there’s so much personality oozing from the screen that you can’t help but be impressed.
The real standout, though, is the combat, which is arguably better than ever. What was already one of the best action games of all time is now better than ever with the sequel. There’s a reason why it’s one of the best-reviewed games of the decade. Hades II is just that good and ceratinly deserves a place among the best Xbox games.
Resident Evil Requiem
Following the disaster that was Resident Evil 6, Capcom went back to the drawing board to return the franchise to its roots with Resident Evil 7. They’ve yet to look back.
After the exciting and still terrifying Resident Evil Village, Requiem combines the best of both worlds: old-school classic survival horror, thanks to Grace Ashcroft, and the incredible action coming from Leon S. Kennedy.
What makes Requiem even more impressive is that the story plays on the franchise’s past through both Ashcroft (her mother, Alyssa Ashcroft, is from Resident Evil Outbreak) and Leon’s return to Raccoon City. It all adds up to not only one of the best Resident Evil games of all time, but one of the best games for Xbox Series X|S.
Follow us on MSN for more content you love.
Read more:
- 11 of the best Nintendo franchises, ranked
- 10 games that need to be remastered
- 10 retro video game ads from a simpler time
