Summary
Console exclusivity is the need of the hour for many major gaming companies who want to market their system as the best one players can own. It has become the need of the hour as the gaming industry has grown exponentially, with various companies vying for the top spot to establish a substantial following and attain the funds to develop several stellar games. Companies are willing to spend large amounts of money to acquire exclusive titles that can only be played on their platform—that is if they’re not acquiring developers to specifically make games for them!
TheXbox Series X/Sis no exception to this rule, striving to add as many great exclusives to its library as possible. Of course, given Microsoft’s roots, most of their titles are available on PC as well. While this may sound counter-intuitive, the truth is that many players prefer gaming on a console, and the following titles definitely do a great job of making the Xbox Series X/S seem like a tantalizing console. If players have the older Xbox One, then they will be happy knowing the fact that some of these games are available on that platform as well!
Updated on July 10, 2025 by Ritwik Mitra:The Xbox Series X and S have been great consoles in their own right, even if they have been slightly lean in terms of pure exclusives. However, it seems that this console is finally going to bridge the gap with Microsoft’s latest acquisitions, showing that players are in for an all-out war between both the PlayStation and Xbox brands, with the latter trying its hardest to finally win the console wars after the longest time. In 2023, what are thebest Xbox Series exclusive games?
Bethesda’snewest RPG is a completely fresh IP, something that they haven’t experimented with for a long time. This spacefaring RPG is a blast to experience in every way, even if some aspects of its design (like the loading screens and weird NPC animations) feel rather dated by modern standards.
The adventure that players embark on in this title is pretty great if somewhat forgettable. Bethesda still has to make some major strides when it comes to presentation and narrative… but the sense of adventure in this grand sci-fi epic is remarkable.
If players loveHoney, I Shrunk the Kids, then they’ll love whatGroundedbrings to the table. Players control one of four mini-protagonists who have been shrunk to the size of an ant and have to fend for themselves in a backyard.
The premise is simple yet riveting, and the idea of fighting against large insects is about as terrifying as most people would expect. It’s far from Obsidian Entertainment’s best game… but is a fun experiment that fans of survival titles should definitely check out for themselves.
Halo Infiniteis a game that faced its fair share of controversy before the game was even out! 343 Industries went to work as they incorporated player feedback andtried to optimize the game before release, with the title being fairly well-received by fans when it came to the single-player content.
The open-world approach made for a fresh change of pace that was perfect for theHaloformula. However, the changes made to the multiplayer were universally considered to be negative in every way, with the free-to-play format forcing players to grind for content.
The combination of a rhythm and action game sounds like a pretty neat idea, andHi-Fi Rushdefinitely does justice to this combination. The game’s combat is a breath of fresh air in a genre that has become over-populated with mindless button-mashers, forcing players to listen to the beat and time their movements accordingly to land powerful hits.
The amazing art style ofHi-Fi Rushcoupled with the game’s boundless energy makes it one of the best exclusives on the Xbox Series X/S. Fans of unique action titles will be more than happy with what this game has to offer.
Developed by Sam Barlow, the mastermind behindHer StoryandTelling Lies,Immortalityis another narrative-driven FMV gamethat features many unique mechanics of its own. The game tells the story of a film actress who seemingly disappears under mysterious circumstances, and players are tasked with piecing together the events that led to her disappearance.
It’s another ingenious game by a brilliant creator who has propelled the notion of FMV games being viable in modern times, which is a massive achievement in its own right.Immortalitymay not reach the heights ofHer Story, but it’s a pretty riveting game nevertheless.
TheMicrosoft Flight Simulatorfranchise harbors some of the most realistic and detailed simulation games of all time. The latest title is no exception to this golden rule, allowing players to fly through realistic representations of real-world locations with stunning graphics and accurate physics.
With a wealth of aircraft to choose from along with detailed airport and weather conditions,Microsoft Flight Simulatoris a must-have for aviation enthusiasts and players looking for an immersive experience. It’s one of the calmer games on this list that players can check out whenever they want to sit back and unwind…provided they are familiar with the game’s many intricate mechanics, that is.
Obsidian Entertainment has developed a reputation of being masters when it comes to incorporating unique storylines in their video games time and time again, withPentimentbeing another feather in the cap of this reputed developer. The game essentially serves as a mystery title where players investigate culprits over the course of many generations.
While some people find the act of hunting down the murderer to be somewhat trite at times,Pentiment’s strong writing still helps it stand out despite this puzzling choice. It’s a great game that fans of unique mystery titles should definitely check out.
8Forza Horizon 5
Playground Games has constantly released excellent and detailed racing games that are a blast to play through, withForza Horizon 5being a great example of their expertise in this genre. Players explore a massive open world set in the heart of Mexico, engaging in thrilling races and completing various challenges during the exciting Horizon Festival.
With an impressive roster of vehicles, dynamic weather systems, and improved graphics,Forza Horizon 5has established itself as one of the best exclusives on the Xbox Series X/S. Fans have some justifiable gripes surrounding this title, but there’s no denying just how gorgeous and excitingForza Horizon 5really is.
Fans of biopunk settings and the works of H.R. Giger willlove whatScornbrings to the table. This survival-horror title places players in a nightmarish environment where it feels like the very walls themselves are living, breathing creatures.
The game’s focus on puzzles and exploration took many players by surprise, who were expecting an action-heavy title. If anything, the combat inScornis better off avoided, being rather clunky and really hammering in just how weak and pathetic the player is as they face off against the game’s many threats.
