Best Xbox exclusives — Must play games for your Xbox Series X|S

From Starfield to Gears Tactics, here's our list of the best Xbox exclusives you can play on your Xbox Series X and S.

Published 06 May 2024

Console exclusives are where you'll find some of the best and most memorable gaming experiences around, and our list of the best Xbox exclusives will help you explore everything the platform has to offer. Whether you're looking to explore the vast expanse of space in Starfield or drive off into the sunset in Forza Horizon 5, these are the best exclusives you'll find on the Xbox platform and in Xbox Game Pass.

If you want to see the top Xbox games, regardless of exclusivity, then our best Xbox games list has you covered. Right, let's get to it.

8. Sunset Overdrive

Release date: October 28, 2014
Developer: Insomniac Games
On Game Pass? Yes

Sunset Overdrive is one of the best games of the Xbox One generation, and it still holds up today (though an Xbox Series X|S upgrade wouldn't go amiss). After a contaminated energy drink turns everyone in Sunset City into grotesque mutants, you team up with other survivors to escape the city and expose the corporation behind the drink. In all honesty, the story isn't the best, but the gameplay absolutely excels. The movement mechanics are some of the best ever made, and traversing the bright and colorful world of Sunset City by wall-running, zip-lining, and grinding rails never gets old, especially when combat is thrown into the mix and explosions are happening all around you.

7. Gears Tactics

Release date: April 28, 2020
Developer: Splash Damage, The Coalition
On Game Pass? Yes

Mashing together the mechanics of XCOM with the violence and unique visual style of the Gears franchise made for one of 2020's biggest surprises: Gears Tactics. While the genre may not appeal to all Gears fans out there, Gears Tactics still manages to feel remarkably Gears-like with its fast-paced and aggressive gameplay. The smart mechanics, exciting boss battles, excellent visuals, and decent storytelling make Gears Tactics a must-play both on Xbox Series X and PC.

6. Starfield

Release date: September 6, 2023
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
On Game Pass? Yes

Bethesda's latest RPG puts you in the shoes of a simple space miner who, after coming across a strange artifact, is tasked with uncovering the secrets of the universe. Starfield will take you on a journey through the cosmos where you can build your own spaceship, become a space pirate, explore hundreds of planets, meet a wide variety of strange and interesting characters that each have their own story to tell, and much, much more. Starfield is a huge game, and while it does fall down in a few areas, all Xbox owners need to at least check it out, as there really is something for everyone here.

5. Halo Infinite

Release date: December 8, 2021
Developer: 343 Industries
On Game Pass? Yes

Following a bumpy launch, and an even bumpier first few seasons, Halo Infinite is finally in a good place. The campaign moves away from the more linear combat scenarios found in previous games and gives you a high-degree of freedom to approach a situation in how you want. While this might feel like sacrilege to some, Zeta Halo's open world is a joy to mess around in, especially with the excellent Grappleshot that adds a new dimension to combat.

As for Halo Infinite's multiplayer, it may have taken 343 a while to get it right, but it now seems to be in a really good place, with plenty of game modes, maps, and an excellent Forge mode that is seeing loads of players dive in and making player-generated content.

4. Microsoft Flight Simualtor

Release date: August 18, 2020
Developer: Asobo Studio
On Game Pass? Yes

Microsoft Flight Simulator is a technical marvel. What other game features the entire world accurately recreate using satellite data as a map? Asobo Studio has pulled off an incredible feat with Microsoft Flight Simulator by creating something truly special that both hardcore sim fans and more casual players can enjoy. The world (the handcrafted places especially) looks excellent, and so do the variety of planes and huge number of airports that are on offer, with each lovingly crafted in extraordinary detail. Microsoft Flight Simulator is absolutely worth checking out and tinkering around with, even if it is just to fly around your hometown and eventually crash into your house.

3. Gears 5

Release date: September 10, 2019
Developer: The Coalition
On Game Pass? Yes

You won't find better third-person cover-based shooting outside of the Gears series, and Gears 5 offers the best of the best. Following on directly after the events of Gears of War 4, Gears 5 follows Kait Diaz as she tries to uncover her mysterious connection to the Swarm, and what comes next is an explosive and bloody 12-hour campaign that's filled with action and great character arcs. The PvP multiplayer is as compelling as ever (just don't look at the achievement list), but it's always in co-op where Gears shines, and playing Gears 5 with pals is always a treat. Gears 5 is also still one of the best-looking games on the Xbox Series X|S, thanks to an excellent Xbox Series X|S upgrade.

2. Forza Horizon 5

Release date: November 9, 2021
Developer: Playground Games
On Game Pass? Yes

With hundreds of vehicles, a wide range of races and activities, and a huge map that's filled with interesting points of interest, Forza Horizon 5 has something for everyone. While not much has changed in terms of the winning formula Playground Games found with Forza Horizon 4, the colorful and vibrant Mexico-inspired map and new accolades system are more than enough to keep players busy, and that's on top of the hundreds of races, story missions, and various PR stunts found throughout. Playground has also released two hefty expansions — Hot Wheels and Rally Adventure — which add new gameplay experiences into the mix. Hot Wheels has you screaming a car through gravity-defying loops at 180mph, while Rally Adventure has you join a rally team to attack rugged off-road tracks on a new map.

1. Halo: The Master Chief Collection

Release date: November 11, 2014
Developer: 343 Industries, Bungie
On Game Pass? Yes

There probably wouldn't be an Xbox today if it wasn't for the Halo series, which makes Halo: The Master Chief Collection an essential for any Xbox owner out there. Halo: MCC bundles six superb Halo games (Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2 Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, Halo 4, and Halo: Reach) into one neat package. While 343 Industries could have just left it there and called it a day, it's gone one step further by also remastering the first two games, so you can play them with updated visuals and better framerates, if you prefer. Multiplayer for these is also intact, and there is still a healthy player base there if you're looking to relive your Halo 2 multiplayer glory days.

Written by Sean Carey

Avid Xbox and achievement fan, Sean has committed to playing the best RPGs, racing games, and first-person shooters Xbox Game Pass and his precious free time will allow. Prior to joining TrueAchievements, Sean gained a degree in journalism from Solent University.