Over the past two decades, Microsoft has turned the Xbox brand into a veritable juggernaut in the console gaming world. The Xbox Series X and Series S, the combined fourth generation of the Xbox, have sold over 21 million units — and the Xbox One, which was still supported until 2023, sold over 58 million units worldwide.
As Microsoft shifts its focus toward supporting console and PC gamers alike with the Game Pass subscription service, there’s never been a larger ecosystem of Xbox consoles to choose from.
The future of the Xbox seems more than ever to rest in the hands of game developers, as original intellectual properties like Scorn and Pentiment become just as important as fan-favorite franchises such as Halo and Gears of War. If more Xbox exclusives follow in the footsteps of 2024 releases like Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, that future is sure to be bright.
CNET curated this list of the best games you can buy right now, including entries for Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S and PC Game Pass.
Best Xbox Series X/S Games — July 2025
Xbox game FAQs
Recent updates to the list
- January 2025: Added Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
How we determined CNET’s best Xbox games
When creating this list of best Xbox games, we factored in how unique and enjoyable these games are for most players. We evaluated criteria including graphical quality, innovative gameplay mechanics and compelling narratives. The picks we made cover a variety of genres from fantasy to retro platformers to shooters to racing games, and while we favored console-exclusive games you won’t find on PlayStation, Switch or PC, we also included some can’t-miss games that appear on multiple platforms. If you’re looking for help choosing your next game, CNET’s top Xbox list is a good place to start narrowing your choices.
