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The best Xbox Series X|S game is Elden Ring, tied with Baldur’s Gate 3 at the platform’s highest Metacritic score of 96. Right behind them, Hades II (95) leads the newer releases and Forza Horizon 5 is the standout Xbox exclusive. With Game Pass, most of this list is a single subscription away. Whether you want an RPG, a racer or a roguelike, the top pick for each is below.
Below are the best Xbox Series X|S games ranked by Metacritic score, with release year and genre. Scores are the Xbox critic aggregate; where games tie, the more essential Xbox experience is placed higher. Many are also on Game Pass on day one.
The best Xbox Series X|S games, ranked
Ranked by Metacritic as of 2026. Year is the Xbox release; genre marks the style of game.
| # | Game | Year | Genre | Metacritic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elden Ring | 2022 | Action RPG | 96 |
| 2 | Baldur’s Gate 3 | 2023 | RPG | 96 |
| 3 | Hades II | 2025 | Roguelike | 95 |
| 4 | Persona 5 Royal | 2022 | JRPG | 94 |
| 5 | Metaphor: ReFantazio | 2024 | JRPG | 94 |
| 6 | Resident Evil 4 (remake) | 2023 | Survival horror | 93 |
| 7 | Hades | 2021 | Roguelike | 93 |
| 8 | Forza Horizon 5 | 2021 | Racing | 92 |
| 9 | Microsoft Flight Simulator | 2021 | Simulation | 90 |
| 10 | Forza Horizon 6 | 2026 | Racing | 90 |
| 11 | Resident Evil Requiem | 2026 | Survival horror | 89 |
| 12 | Diablo IV | 2023 | Action RPG | 88 |
| 13 | Hi-Fi Rush | 2023 | Rhythm-action | 88 |
| 14 | Halo Infinite | 2021 | FPS | 87 |
| 15 | Sea of Thieves | 2018 | Adventure | 85 |
| 16 | Star Wars Jedi: Survivor | 2023 | Action-adventure | 85 |
| 17 | Stellar Blade | 2026 | Action | 84 |
| 18 | Starfield | 2023 | RPG | 83 |
Why Game Pass changes the maths
The Xbox library’s real strength is Game Pass. Almost every game on this list — and most first-party titles on day one — is included in the subscription, so trying Hades II, Forza Horizon 5, Starfield or Hi-Fi Rush costs nothing extra. Xbox leans on Bethesda, Blizzard and its own studios for exclusives like Forza and Halo, while the biggest third-party RPGs, Elden Ring and Baldur’s Gate 3, sit right at the top. It is the best-value way to play a huge slice of the best games going.
The essential Xbox games
Four games no Xbox owner should miss.
96
95
Best exclusive
Hidden gem
Xbox and PS5 share most of the biggest multiplatform games — see how the PlayStation side compares in our best PS5 games ranking. Elden Ring and Baldur’s Gate 3 also top our best RPGs list, and Forza leads our best racing games ranking.
Best Xbox game by type
Straight to the top pick for what you want to play.
| Type | Best pick |
|---|---|
| RPG | Elden Ring / Baldur’s Gate 3 |
| Xbox exclusive | Forza Horizon 5 |
| Racing | Forza Horizon 6 |
| Roguelike | Hades II |
| Shooter | Halo Infinite |
| Horror | Resident Evil Requiem |
| Co-op adventure | Sea of Thieves |
| Best on Game Pass | Hi-Fi Rush |
Many of these all-time greats also sit on our overall best games of all time ranking.
