PlayStation, Xbox, or PC? It’s the question that has long plagued gamers even before the popularity of the Nintendo Switch and recently embraced cross-play and porting functionalities. But Microsoft is betting big on the release of the Xbox Series X console in November 10, 2020. Big releases like Far Cry 6, Dying Light 2, and Cyberpunk 2077 won’t come out until after launch. Moreover, titles like the hotly anticipated Fable game don’t yet have release dates.
Even updates of long-released games like Grand Theft Auto 5 won’t pop up until well after the launch of the console. But, that doesn’t mean players will be twiddling their thumbs in the meantime. With the newly announced lower-spec Xbox Series S coming in at just $299, gamers will have options if they don’t want to spend the rumored $499 - $599 on the Xbox Series X. Explore all the video game titles available at launch for the Xbox Series X console ranked by fan excitement.
41 Xbox Series X Launch Title: Madden NFL 21 (Smart Delivery)
Fans of the series of games have not been pleased with recent entries into the franchise. As such, this game has been significantly review bombed with a score below 1 on Metacritic. Still, it will be available for Xbox Series X.
40 Xbox Series X Playable Title: Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes Of An Elusive Age
This Square Enix RPG released originally all the way back in 2017 for the Nintendo 3DS and the PlayStation 4. But Windows and the Xbox One will gain access in December 2020. Fans with the Xbox Series X console can play it thanks to backward compatibility.
39 Xbox Series X Launch Title (Updated): Rainbow Six Siege (Smart Delivery)
A classic in the competitive shooter scene, Rainbow Six Siege gets dusted off and gussied up for the Xbox Series X console release. Players with discs from the Xbox One should be able to have cross-generation play and progression for the new console with their old discs.
38 Xbox One, Xbox Series X, And PC Exclusive: The Ascent (Smart Delivery)
Despite being released after the initial showcase in May 2020, fans eagerly await this Diablo inspired top-down style and combat that seems loot-driven. The game also features a cyberpunk setting and a release date of “2020.”
37 Xbox Series X Launch Title (Updated): Destiny 2 (Smart Delivery)
Despite being a 3-year-old game now, Bungie plans a new DLC and an updated version for the Xbox Series X. Players can enjoy new subclasses even if their favorite weapons got sunsetted. With no new games announced, Bungie will likely keep pushing updates for Destiny 2 and (hopefully) push the limits when it comes to graphics.
36 Xbox Series X Launch Title: Haven
In costumes that look a bit like the ones the original characters from Divinity: Original Sin wear, Haven follows two lovers: Yu and Kay.
They hope to find someplace to settle down amidst their search of the lush and colorful planet. However, gamers can play solo or co-op. Like other games, it has a vague release date of “2020.”
35 Xbox One, Xbox Series X, And PC Exclusive: The Artful Escape
With the tagline “Discover Who You Aren’t”, Annapurna Interactive’s The Artful Escape tells the tale of Francis Vendetti. The release date is enigmatically described as just “2020.” However, it will be an Xbox platform and PC exclusive.
34 Xbox Series X Launch Title (Updated): Control: Ultimate Edition
The Control: Ultimate Edition comes to Xbox Series X with some controversial choices from 505 Games. Owners of the original game on Xbox One won’t get an upgrade; only Ultimate Edition owners will.
33 Xbox Series X Launch Title (Updated): The Witcher 3
Though the game has been re-released many times to date, owners can look forward to another update for both the PS5 and Xbox Series X for the beloved The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt entry. CD Projekt Red promises faster load times, ray tracing support, and lots of technical/visual improvements for the game and its DLC content. This will also be a free upgrade for current PC, Xbox One, and PS4 game owners.
32 Xbox Series X Launch Title: Paradise Lost
Another game with a release date of “2020”, Paradise Lost features a retrofuturist aesthetic, Nazis, transhumanism, and Slavic mythology. Though available on PC and PlayStation also, Xbox Series X players should be able to enjoy it when the console launches in November pending the game’s release.
31 Xbox Series X Launch Title: Recompile (Planned)
Recompile exposes a theme amongst Xbox Series X console launch titles: ambiguous release dates of only “2020”. Despite the mystery, the game has players excited for its unique aesthetic, Metroidvania style, and sick airdashing.
30 Xbox One, Xbox Series X, And PC Exclusive: Gears 5 (Smart Delivery)
Though it seems like forever ago, Gears 5 only came out in September 2019. Fans of the series can rely on Smart Delivery and expect 4K gameplay as promised to show off what the hardware “can really do” when it comes to graphics.
29 Xbox One, Xbox Series X, And PC Exclusive: Gears Tactics
A bit of a departure from traditional games in the franchise, Gears Tactics offers turn-based strategy gameplay that still features chainsaw guns and plenty of alien space bugs to squash.
Like Gears 5, players should expect 4K, 60 FPS capabilities with full optimization for the Xbox Series X.
28 Xbox One, Xbox Series X, And PC Exclusive: As Dusk Falls
Insert “Shawn!” memes here: Heavy Rain and Beyond: Two Souls designer Caroline Marchal offers fans a new experience with As Dusk Falls. Billed as an “original, interactive drama”, the game will first release on Xbox One with an updated version coming later to the Xbox Series X.
27 Xbox And PC Exclusive: Tetris Effect: Connected
The multiplayer expansion to the captivating puzzle game will first come to PC and Xbox platforms with co-op and competitive multiplayer modes. The game will later release as a free update for Oculus Quest, Epic Games Store, and the PS4.
26 Xbox Series X Exclusive: Scorn (Launch Window)
With very similar aesthetics to the work of artist and Alien consultant H.R. Giger, Serbian developer Ebb Software announced Scorn in 2014. But the game has not seen much movement in terms of development. Though many fans believe the game will be delayed, internet sources still state the release date as “Holiday 2020”.
25 Xbox Series X Launch Title (Updated): Fortnite
The free-to-play Battle Royale phenom isn’t going anywhere any time soon. As such, the Xbox Series X will feature an optimized for the console version for fans while PC fans can look forward to RTX support soon. By then, maybe the “Save the World” mode will get a bit more love.
24 Xbox Series X Launch Title: Forza Motorsport
Developers have described the new Forza Motorsport as a “reimagining” of the series with new technologies and concepts involved including ray tracing. Fans can expect a 60 FPS, 4K world with brilliant colors, detailed shadows, next level reflections, and more. With Xbox Game Pass, players can also play on a Windows 10 PC.
23 Xbox Series X Launch Title (Updated): Planet Coaster
This game originally released all the way back in November 2016, but the console edition is set for a release on both the Xbox Series X and the PlayStation 5. Planet Coaster will also support mouse and keyboard options for console players who may want more control.
22 Xbox Series X Launch Title (Updated): Tell Me Why
Fans of the Life is Strange series can look forward to this new game from the same developer. Tell Me Why released in late August 2020 and features a snow-covered Alaskan setting. Now available on Xbox One and PC, users can look forward to an updated version on the Xbox Series X.
