Xbox Series X games list: All confirmed launch games on release plus Xbox Series X exclusives explained

Publish date: 2022-08-31

Xbox Series X games are slowly being announced - giving us an idea of what we'll be playing when the system launches from November 2020.

There are plenty of confirmed Xbox Series X games around launch and beyond (many which are also on the PS5 games list), giving us a firm idea of what we'll be playing around launch - as well as how Microsoft is handling exclusive Xbox Series X games and Xbox Series X enhanced upgrades for existing Xbox One games.

And for clarity, the following list all run on Xbox Series S, Microsoft's smaller, cheaper next-gen console - just at a lower rendering resolution.

On this page:

We know several other things about Microsoft's new console - including Xbox Series X specs, the Xbox Series X controller details and the Xbox Series X console design.

All exclusive and first-party Xbox Series X games and Xbox Series S games confirmed so far

Though there won't be any purely Xbox Series X exclusive releases from first party studios in the near future - end of this page for more details on why - Microsoft has still confirmed several Xbox Series X / S (and PC) only releases which, though are a few years away, give you something to look forward to.

Here's the first-party Xbox Series X games and Xbox Series S games from Microsoft we know coming so far, as well as any exclusives from third-party or partner studios, timed or otherwise:

Halo Infinite - Announced alongside (what was then called) Project Scarlett during E3 2019, this "spiritual reboot" (which has been delayed into 2021) will offer a 60 frames per second campaign on Xbox Series X, as well as a release on PC and Xbox One.

Fable - A reboot of the fantasy franchise is in development by Forza Horizon studio Playground Games. It has yet to be given a release date, but will be coming to Xbox Series X and PC.

State of Decay 3 - A sequel in the open-world zombie series from Undead Labs is in early development, coming to Xbox Series X and PC.

Forza Motorsport - The next (and unnumbered) entry in the Forza series from Turn 10 Studios will introduce ray tracing alongside 4K, 60 frames per second racing. It has yet to be given a release date, but will be coming to Xbox Series X and PC.

Everwild - The new property by Rare, which is "inspired by the beauty of the natural world around us", will be coming to Xbox Series X and PC.

Avowed - A first-person role-playing game set in the Pillars of Eternity universe from Obsidian Entertainment is to Xbox Series X and PC.

As Dusk Falls - Created by new studio INTERIOR/NIGHT in partnership with Microsoft Game Studios, this is a "multi-generational story set in the American Southwest about resilience, sacrifice and how the mistakes of the older generation transmit to the younger". Coming to Xbox Series X, Xbox One and PC.

Psychonauts 2 - Developed by the now Microsoft-owned Double Fine, this is confirmed to be coming to Xbox Series X alongside other platforms, including PS4, Xbox One, PC, Mac and Linux.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 - The next entry in the survival horror shooter series will be coming to PC and making its console debut on Xbox Series X.

Tetris Effect: Connected - Enhance's Tetris Effect (Eurogamer's Game of 2018) introduces new co-op and competitive online modes, and will be launching as an Xbox console exclusive on Xbox One and Series X, as well as PC, in 2020, before to other platforms (including PS4) in summer 2021.

The Gunk - A new franchise from Steamworld developer Image and Form, this adventure sees you "encounter terrifying enemies and challenging puzzles on your quest to unravel the mystery of a forgotten planet". Coming as an Xbox console timed-exclusive for Xbox Series X, Xbox One and PC in September 2021.

The Medium - Blooper Team's psychological game features the work of Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka and Arkadiusz Reikowski. Coming to PC and Xbox Series X in 2020 as an Xbox console timed-exclusive on December 10th:

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide - From Vermintide developer Fatshark, this is a four-player co-op adventure coming to PC and Xbox Series X as an console timed exclusive.

CrossfireX - In development between Microsoft and Smilegate Entertainment - and with a campaign developed by Alan Wake studio Remedy Entertainment - the hit PC franchise will be launching on Xbox One and Xbox Series X in 2020.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II - Unveiled alongside the Xbox Series X console design with an in-engine trailer, and is a sequel to Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, from the now Microsoft Game Studios-owned Ninja Theory, which is "being built to leverage the full power of Xbox Series X". Of course, as mentioned, except it to appear on Xbox One and PC also.

Scorn - An atmospheric first-person adventure developed by Ebb. An Xbox Series X console exclusive at launch, it will also be coming to Xbox Game Pass.

As well as the above, there are 15 ID @ Xbox games which are Xbox console timed exclusives, all also coming to Xbox Series X:

There are, of course, other Microsoft titles development which line-up with the Xbox Series X's debut and beyond - Ninja Theory's Project MARA, Microsoft Flight Simulator, DLALA and Rare's Battletoads among them - which, though not confirmed for Xbox Series X, are all possible to each receive Series X enhancements.

Third-party Xbox Series X games list

Here are other Xbox Series X games confirmed so far which are also coming to other platforms - whether it's PC, Xbox One or PlayStation 4 or PS5:

Mørkredd - From Aspyr and Hyper Games, this sees you "use light and shadow to solve puzzles in a dark world inspired by long winters and Nordic culture", and will be coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S and PC in December. It'll also be available on Xbox Game Pass.

Bright Memory 1.0 - You can play the original first-person action game developed by FYQD-Studio ahead of Bright Memory Infinite on Xbox Series X / S's launch.

Cuisine Royale - The free-to-play battle royale game from Darkflow Software "with realistic weaponry, mystic traps and demonic rituals" will have an Xbox Series X / S version at launch.

The Falconeer - Described as "the birdiest game ever" in our hands-on, this will have an Xbox Series X / S version at launch.

King Oddball This physics-puzzle adventure with over 120 levels will have an Xbox Series X / S version at launch.

Manifold Garden - This multiplatform space and physics puzzle game will have an Xbox Series X / S version at launch.

The Touryst (Xbox Game Pass) - After arriving on Xbox One and PC in August, this voxelised adventure has an Xbox Series X / S version on the system's debut.

War Thunder - This free-to-play combat game will have an Xbox Series X / S version at launch.

Yes, Your Grace - This kingdom management role-playing game was released on Xbox One in June 2020 and will have an Xbox Series version at launch.

Doctor Who: Edge of Reality - This reimagining of VR game Edge of Time is coming to current gen consoles and PC in Spring 2021, while the BBC has said to "stay tuned for... next-gen console support":

Football Manager 2021 - A "specifically tailored" version of the long-running management series is coming to Xbox devices - including Xbox Series X and S - from November 24th, with cross-save Xbox Store support.

Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition - Coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X / S - but not PC - this introduces Vergil as a playable character, as well as the Legendary Dark Knight mode, Turbo Mode (20 per cent gameplay speed increase) and support for ray-tracing.

Immortals Fenyx Rising - Formally Gods and Monsters, this Ubisoft open-world action platformer is coming to PC, current and next-gen consoles on December 3rd, 2020.

Riders Republic - this new extreme sports franchise from Ubisoft featuring bikes, boards, skis and wingsuits is coming to PC, current and next-gen consoles.

RIDE 4 - The next game in the two-wheel racing series will see next-gen versions on January 21st, 2021, after a current-gen and PC release on October 8th, 2020.

Graven - This spiritual successor to Hexen 2 is developed by Slipgate Ironworks and co-published by 3D Realms and 1C Entertainment, and is coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch and PC in 2021.

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga - The next Star Wars Lego will land in spring 2021 and be available on PS5, PS4, Switch, Xbox One and Xbox Series X.

Poker Club - From Ripstone Games and billed as "the most immersive poker simulation ever made", this is coming to PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PC and Switch in 2020.

White Shadows - This stylised black-and-white platformer will feature a story "that is dark yet funny, gripping and relevant to players' lives today", and is coming to PC, Xbox Series X and PS5 in 2021.

Haven - From Furi developer The Game Bakers comes Haven, a "love story of a couple trying to stay together" as they explore a deserted planet, for Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Switch, PS4, PS5 and PC.

Dragon Age 4 - We can't expect to see the next instalment in the Dragon Age series till 2022, but we do know that it be available on the PS5 and Xbox Series X.

Little Nightmares 2 - The horror sequel from Tarsier Studios will become available for both the PS5 and Xbox Series X on February 11th 2021, with a free next-gen upgrade for anyone who's already purchased the game.

Bridge Constructor: The Walking Dead - Coming to Xbox Series X, Xbox One PS5, PS4, Switch and PC in 2020, this game sees you constructing bridges to escape the zombine hordes.

Unknown 9: Awakening - From Reflector Studios, this game is yet to receive an announcement date. The debut trailer follows a young Indian girl with supernatural powers.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War - The latest in the Call of Duty series will be avaliable on the PS5, with the option of a next-gen upgrade available for those buy it for the current generation, though any related fees still need to be confirmed.

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 - Coming to Xbox One, Series X and Switch on December 8th (as well as PS4, PS5 before the end of 2020, and PC in 2021), the Puyo Puyo Tetris sequel will support Smart Delivery on Xbox consoles.

Gotham Knights - This new Batman story, playable either solo or in two-player, follows Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin protect Gotham in the wake of Batman's death, and is coming to PC, current and next-gen consoles in 2021.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League - A continuation of Rocksteady's Arkham universe, this is set in an open-world Metropolis and can be played solo or up to four players, and is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X and PC in 2022.

Braid: Anniversary Edition - A remastered version of the Xbox Live Arcade game will have redrawn visuals and developer commentary when it launches on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Switch and PC in 2021.

TemTem - The creature collecting multiplayer game, currently in early access on PC, will make its console debut on PS5 on December 8th, and will also come to Xbox Series X and Switch sometime in 2021.

Hood: Outlaws and Legends - Coming to PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One and PC in 2021, this is a PC, PvPvE multiplayer game from Sumo Newcastle, the team behind Eve: Valkyrie that Sumo Digital picked up from Eve Online maker CCP back in 2018.

Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis - This "redesigned" version of the MMORPG series is coming to Xbox Series X, Xbox One and PC in 2021.

People Can Fly AAA project - People Can Fly, the team behind Bulletstorm, has its New York studio working on "a highly ambitious, groundbreaking action-adventure title that takes PCF's nearly two decades of development expertise in a new direction" for next-gen consoles. The team is scaling up over the next year or two, so don't expect this to release anytime soon.

Earthlock 2 - The sequel to the Snowcastle Games adventure inspired by 90s JRPGs returns to Umbra, a planet where half the world is in darkness and the other in sunlight, and will launch on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One and PC.

Echo Generation - This turn-based adventure game follows a gang of kids investigate the super-natural. Coming to Xbox One and Xbox Series X with enhancements in spring 2021.

Balan Wonderworld - An action platformer from Sonic creator Yuji Naka and Square Enix studio Balan Company sees "memories and vistas from the real-world mix with the things that people hold dear", and is coming to Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, Switch and PC in Spring 2021.

ExoMecha - A free-to-play online competitive shooter set an exotic planet, coming to Xbox Series X, Xbox One and PC.

Hello Neighbour 2 - From tinyBuild Games is a sequel to the stealth horror original is coming to Xbox Series X, Xbox One and PC in 2021.

Overcooked: All You Can Eat - A compilation of the first two Overcooked games is coming to next-gen consoles, complete with cross-play, 4K and 60fps performance.

Far Cry 6 - Coming to current, next-gen consoles and PC on February 18th, 2021, this open-world sequel features Breaking Bad and The Mandalorian's Giancarlo Esposito as its antagonist Anton Castillo, a brutal dictator who rules over the game's Cuban-influenced setting.

Watch Dogs: Legion - Launching first on current-gen consoles and PC on October 29th, there will be a next-gen version when new consoles arrive.

Marvel's Avengers - Following the release of the Square Enix adventure on PS4 and Xbox One on September 4th, there will be a free next-gen upgrade, which includes the transfer of game progress, same-generation crossplay, and performance improvements, including "extremely fast load times, boosted resolution and fidelity" and more.

PES - The 2021 PES game is being designed for PS5 and Xbox Series X, with the series' tech moving to Unreal Engine and an estimated release in the latter half of the year.

Steelrising - From GreedFall and The Technomacer studio Spiders is an action game involving "King Louis XVI's automata army terrorising the citizens of Paris", and is coming to PC and next-gen consoles.

Recompile - This Metroidvania-style platformer sees you play a virus infiltrating a facility. Coming to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X.

New projects from EA studios Dice, Motive and Criterion - The long-anticipated sequel from BioWare has been teased for next-gen consoles, as part of a wider glimpse for what EA is working on for new consoles during EA Play 2020. This includes a new project from Motive, Dice (likely Battlefield) and Criterion (likely Need for Speed).

FIFA 21 - this game is the next entry in the annual EA sport franchise, offering "blazing fast load times, deferred lighting and rendering, enhanced animation technology, off-ball humanisation, and more". Purchases on Xbox One will see a free upgrade to Xbox Series X, along with most game progress.

Madden 21 - The next entry in the annual EA sports franchise will feature an free upgrade offer from the Xbox One version, if purchased by December 31st, 2020 and redeemed by March 31st, 2021.

Cyberpunk 2077 - Due out in November, there will be a patch at launch with light next gen improvements, followed by a more substantial one later to make better use of the enhanced hardware. For Xbox One owners, an Xbox Series X version for free "when available" as part of the same purchase.

Planet Coaster: Console Edition - Frontier is releasing Planet Coaster on next-gen consoles as well as PS4 and Xbox One when the park simulation game releases in late 2020.

Cris Tales - Described as "a love letter to classic JRPGs", this 2D drawn adventure has you use the past, present and future to shape the world around you.

Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One: Developer Frogwares returns with an origin story for the famous detective, this time moving away from Victorian London to a Mediterranean-inspired island. Coming 2021.

Dustborn - A storied, single-player action adventure from Dreamfall Chapters and Draugen Red Thread Games coming 2021.

NBA 2K21 - The next instalment in the basketball series from 2K Sports is coming Fall 2020.

Hitman 3 - IO Interactive sees Agent 47 return for the "most intimate and professional contract" of his career in the conclusion of the 'World of Assassination' trilogy. It's releasing January 2021 on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and PC.

Resident Evil Village - Also known as the eighth title in the series, this keeps the first-person perspective of Resident Evil 7 and launches in 2021.

Metal: Hellsinger - Developers by The Outsiders (the studio co-founded by former Battlefield 3 lead designer and Payday 2 director David Goldfarb), Metal: Hellsinger is a rhythm FPS that's coming to PC, Xbox One, PS4, and next-gen consoles in 2021.

Chivalry 2 - Coming to PC, current generation and next generation consoles, this will support full cross-play between all platforms.

Demon Turf - Developed by Fabraz, the developer of Slime-san, this is a 3D adventure also coming to Xbox One, PC and Switch.

Pragmata - A mysterious new game from Capcom coming to next-gen consoles in 2022.

Paradise Lost - an "emotion driven mystery" from Polyamorous Games about a boy exploring a bunker in a post-war landscape. Also coming to PS5 and PC.

Yakuza - Like a Dragon - Coming to PS4, Xbox One and Windows 10 at launch, next-gen versions will be available, with an Xbox Series X edition arriving alongside the console's launch. The PS5 edition, meanwhile, arrives March 2nd, 2021, and won't support cross-generation save support.

Bright Memory Infinite - a first-person action game developed by FYQD-Studio. Also coming to Xbox One, it will feature ray tracing support on Series X:

Dirt 5 - the latest in the long-running rally driving series from Codemasters, and will have Smart Delivery support with the Xbox One version , and up to 120FPS support on Xbox Series X.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 is a sequel to a fan-favourite published by Paradox. It offers Smart Delivery support with the Xbox One version, and is coming 2021.

The Ascent - This co-op supported shooter from Curve Digital will have Xbox Smart Delivery support with the Xbox One version:

Scarlet Nexus - A Japanese action game developed by Bandai Namco, with Xbox Smart Delivery support with the Xbox One version.

Second Extinction - A three-player co-op shooter in a world overrun by mutated dinosaurs, offering Xbox Smart Delivery support with the Xbox One version.

Call of the Sea - A first-person adventure mystery published by Raw Fury, this is coming to Xbox One with Xbox Smart Delivery support in 2020, and will be available on Xbox Game Pass.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla - The latest entry in Ubisoft's long-running series, which is teased to reshape the series' brand of RPG storytelling, will be available at launch. This is also another non-Microsoft Xbox Smart Delivery game, giving you a Series X version with an Xbox One version purchase.

Observer: System Redux - A next-gen remaster of Bloober Team's 2017 science-fiction horror game, due out for release in 2020.

Chorus - A story driven, single-player space shooter published by Deep Silver. With Smart Delivery with the Xbox One version and ray tracing support on Xbox Series X, it's dated for 2021:

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum - this game will follow Gollum's adventures, as the evil influence of the One Ring and the remnants of Sméagol battle for his mind. Developed by Daedalic Entertainment, it will be released in 2021 and it was first revealed in the February 2020 edition of Edge.

Outriders is a one-to-three player co-operative shooter created by Bulletstorm studio People Can Fly, set for release by the end of 2020.

WRC 9 from Kylotonn will be coming to new consoles after debuting on PS4, Xbox One and PC in September.

Beyond that, there have been a lot of other studios confirmed to be working on Xbox Series X games - here's a preview of which, in an image supplied by Microsoft:

Which existing current-gen games will be enhanced on Xbox Series X?

As well as the above new releases, existing games will also see Xbox Series X enhancements.

Though not confirmed in every case, expect many of these (particularly from first-party studios) will receive upgrades for free through the Xbox Smart Delivery initiative.

It should be noted this is different to standard Xbox backwards compatibility support - with the following games are confirmed to be optimised for next-gen consoles.

Though not confirmed yet, there are bound to be many other first-party games - especially ones which see regular updates, such as Minecraft and Bleeding Edge - which are likely to also receive Xbox Series X enhancements.

All Xbox Series X launch games on release

Here are the confirmed Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S games confirmed to launch alongside the console on November 10th, 2020:

These games are optimised for the new consoles, Microsoft said, and are in addition to the thousands of Xbox backwards compatible games available at launch.

Beyond that, we can expect the following to release on the following dates:

Unconfirmed, but likely, Xbox Series X games

Xbox Series X game announcements are few and far between, but we can have some educated guesses of what will be coming to the system in the coming months and years:

Interested in learning more about Microsoft's next-gen plans? Here is everything we know about Xbox Series S vs X, the full set of confirmed Xbox Series X specs and features and the console design, size, dimensions and ports, the Xbox Series controller and confirmed Xbox Series games, including those which support Xbox Smart Delivery. The Xbox Series line of consoles will also support the ongoing library of Xbox Game Pass games. When you're ready, you can look for some Xbox Series X/S stock.

Are there going to be any first-party Xbox Series X exclusive games?

Microsoft said it won't release any exclusive Xbox Series X games at launch from its roster of first-party studios - with big hitters such as Halo Infinite also releasing on Xbox One and PC.

"As our content comes out over the next year, two years, all of our games, sort of like PC, will play up and down that family of devices," Xbox Game Studios boss Matt Booty explained to MCV.

"We want to make sure that if someone invests in Xbox between now and [Series X] that they feel that they made a good investment and that we're committed to them with content."

This makes sense when you take into account Microsoft's drive to see Xbox as more of a service - with many first-party games in recent years having cross-save and cross-platform play across Xbox One and PC.

That's not to say Xbox Series X exclusives aren't on the way. During the July 2020 games showcase, Microsoft revealed the likes of Fable, State of Decay 3, Forza Motorsport and Avowed for Xbox Series X and PC, and not Xbox One. However, with the above quote in mind, it's possible these won't arrive a good year or two after the Xbox Series X launches.

Additionally, Microsoft will leave it up to other publishers to make Xbox Series X exclusivity a decision for their own games.

Regardless of Xbox Series X exclusivity, Microsoft games coming to Xbox Series X will see improvements, which will "take advantage of all the features" of the new system, with Halo Infinite among those titles.

"It's the first time in over 15 years that we'll have a Halo title launching in sync with a new console," Booty said. "And that team is definitely going to be doing things to take advantage of [Series X]."

Tying into this is Microsoft's Xbox Smart Delivery feature which, for supported games (such as Xbox's own first-party titles) you only need to purchase a game once, and it'll run the best possible version on the Xbox you own.

Third-party developers can also use this, allowing them to release Xbox One games with Xbox Series X upgrades down the line.

Expect more game announcements to come in the weeks and months ahead. In the meantime, if you're looking for more information on Microsoft's next console, we have pages on Xbox Series X specs, the Xbox Series X console design and the Xbox Series X controller.

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