As the Xbox Game Pass program has grown, so has our list of the best games on Xbox Game Pass. After the launch of the Xbox Series X, Microsoft has doubled down on Game Pass, now offering well over 350 games on the console alone. To help you through option paralysis, we rounded up the top games on Microsoft’s subscription platform.
Many titles are available on Xbox and PC, and some even have cross-save support. Most of the games are available for streaming on mobile, too, as long as you have Game Pass Ultimate. The Game Pass library is also constantly changing, so check out our monthly guide for addition and removal announcements.
Starfield
M
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Bethesda Game Studios
Publisher
Bethesda Softworks
Release
September 06, 2023
The biggest game for Xbox, and one of the biggest in a packed 2023, has to be Starfield. This latest Bethesda RPG isn’t quite Skyrim in space but shares all the DNA you love of those games in a sci-fi package. You’re free to carve your own path through the universe, joining factions, building outposts, crafting ships, and exploring hundreds of planets. There are hundreds of hours to spend here if you like what the game offers, and the main quest alone is well worth the time. However, don’t be surprised if you get sidetracked more than once. If you’re a Bethesda fan or just want a massive RPG, this game alone is a reason to subscribe.
Sea of Stars
E10
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Turn-based strategy (TBS), Adventure, Indie
Developer
Sabotage
Publisher
Sabotage
Release
August 28, 2023
On the other end of the RPG spectrum, Sea of Stars is a love letter to the classic JRPGs of the 16-bit era. If you enjoyed games like Final Fantasy 6 and Chrono Trigger, you’re almost guaranteed to fall in love with this game. The turn-based combat takes elements from Mario RPG but modernizes them and everything around it, such as movement and progression, to make an adventure that is as cozy in tone as it is to play. This game won’t take you long, but it doesn’t waste a second of your time.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun
M
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Shooter, Indie, Arcade
Developer
Auroch Digital
Publisher
Focus Entertainment
Release
May 23, 2023
The Warhammer franchise spans just about every genre imaginable. However, it feels most at home in the retro-inspired boomer shooter Warhammer 40k: Boltgun. If you have any love for the classic Doom or Duke Nukem games, Boltgun will blow your socks off. It retains the chunky look and feel of blasting gruesome enemies with massive weaponry but controls like a modern title. It is a fast, brutal, and addictive game that is just pure action from start to finish. If you need a power fantasy, look no further.
MLB The Show 24
E
Platforms
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Simulator, Sport
Developer
SIE San Diego Studio
Publisher
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release
March 19, 2024
It’s only been four years since Xbox players have even had the chance to play the Show series, but so far each entry has been a day one inclusion on Game Pass, and MLB the Show 24 keeps that tradition alive. As far as the game is concerned, well, it’s baseball! This is the premier MLB simulation game, and obviously, being the newest entry makes it the most realistic and content-filled package yet. Take your new player from the minor leagues all the way up to a pro-level to see if you can win it all at the World Series.
SuperHot: Mind Control Delete
T
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Shooter, Puzzle, Indie
Developer
SUPERHOT Team
Publisher
SUPERHOT Team
Release
July 16, 2020
Hopefully you’ve already experienced the masterpiece that is the original Superhot, but if not, you won’t be lost jump into the standalone expansion Superhot: Mind Control Delete. Either way, this takes the same addictive combat arenas where you deftly dismantle and outsmart all your adversaries by planning out every step you take, bullet you fire, and punch you throw. Time only moves when you do, so if you get overwhelmed, just stop to take in your surroundings to figure out the best plan of action. It is the perfect blend of shooter and puzzle game.
Sea of Thieves
T
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Simulator, Adventure
Developer
Rare
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Release
March 20, 2018
Sea of Thieves puts you in the shoes of a pirate, and not in the same way as Black Flag does (even though that’s still one of the best Assassin’s Creed games ever). It’s not just an open-world action-adventure game with a pirate skin — Sea of Thieves is a pirate simulator. From looting unexplored islands to piloting your ship with a group of friends, developer Rare manages to gamify every aspect of Sea of Thieves, making each game task engaging no matter how mundane it may seem. More importantly, the gamification leads to a sense of freedom. Nothing in Sea of Thieves is stringent, from the loose leveling system to the Tall Tales that make up the campaign. You’re free to explore and tackle objectives in any way you see fit, or simply ignore objectives altogether. Although a lonely experience on your own, Sea of Thieves is a must-play with a group of friends. The game even supports cross-platform play between the Game Pass and Steam versions, so stringing together a group of pirates is easy.
Palworld
T
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure, Indie
Developer
PocketPair
Publisher
PocketPair
Release
January 19, 2024
Don’t call it Pokemon with guns. Palworld is the surprise hit from early 2024 that was more than just a flash in the pan. Catching and fighting Pals is just the tip of the iceberg with this game. Instead, it is a far more competent base-building, crafting, and management game that is as addicting as it is colorful. It is still in early access, so not everything is complete, and there are some bugs, but you get more than a full game’s worth of content already and can finally get in on all the memes free of charge.
Hi-Fi Rush
T
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Music, Platform, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Developer
Tango Gameworks
Publisher
Bethesda Softworks
Release
January 25, 2023
Shadow-dropped at Microsoft’s Developer_Direct event at the end of January, Hi-Fi Rush has become an immediate banger on Game Pass. The rhythm-action game follows a young man named Chai who fights with an electric guitar. Everything moves to the game’s beat, including enemy attacks, cutscenes, and dungeon traps. It also has a combat-grading system like in the Devil May Cry franchise. Chai isn’t alone in his fights; he also has comrades such as his cat, 808.
Control
M
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Shooter, Adventure
Developer
Remedy Entertainment
Publisher
505 Games
Release
August 27, 2019
With Alan Wake 2 out, even more people have been exposed to the connected universe of Remedy games. If you happened to miss the studio’s last game, Control, now is the perfect time to go back. Set in a shifting and mysterious building known as The Oldest House, you will use supernatural powers to fight and explore the creepy halls filled with notes about strange objects with obscure powers. The included DLC also features a certain writer that adds a bit of context to that game as well.
Grounded
T
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Obsidian Entertainment
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Release
July 28, 2020
One of the more charming indie games we’ve seen in some time, Grounded follows a Honey, I Shrunk The Kids premise, with a group of school friends who arre shrunken to the size of ants in the backyard – and now have to learn to survive. Gear up, explore, and fight off dangers like spiders, moths, and other creatures, either solo or with up to three friends. Follow the story to find out what happened and get big again, or just goof off in a backyard (semi-) paradise.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
M
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Shooter, Puzzle, Adventure
Developer
Eidos Montréal, Crystal Dynamics
Publisher
Square Enix
Release
September 14, 2018
The final chapter in the reboot of the series, Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the best blend of combat, exploration, and puzzle solving of the three. You would technically get more out of it if you played both prior games, but the story told here isn’t dependent on prior knowledge except that Lara has been through some difficult adventures before and has to start accepting who she is. The locations are beautiful, the setpieces exciting, and there are many optional things to do, tombs to raid, and challenges to complete.
Psychonauts 2
T
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Platform, Adventure
Developer
Double Fine Productions
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Release
August 24, 2021
Is 15 years too long to wait for a sequel? That depends on how good the original game is — and Double Fine’s Psychonauts was certainly one of the best in its genre. Psychonauts 2 is finally here, and the familiar formula is back, sure to please fans of the old game while making an excellent introduction to the zany, heartfelt world of Psychonauts. The story picks up soon after the first (and a VR side story that was later released), following a boy named Raz, who has left his circus family to train his psychic powers with the acclaimed Psychonauts organization. Raz’s specialty is entering minds and sorting out hidden traumas so that people (heroes and villains alike) can move on in healthy ways. He uses various psychic powers to defeat literal doubts, fears, and panic attacks while navigating worlds chock-full of collectibles and currency that allow him to upgrade or modify abilities. The platforming in Psychonauts 2 is not only excellent but insanely inventive, incorporating every kind of movement you can imagine in ways that make the cartoony world both fascinating and emotionally moving (but not too challenging). Combat sometimes seems like an afterthought as a result, but there’s plenty to do for all kinds of gamers. Take a look at our Psychonauts 2 beginner’s guide to get started.
Hollow Knight
E10
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Team Cherry
Publisher
Team Cherry
Release
February 24, 2017
Hollow Knight wears its Super Metroid and Dark Souls influences on its sleeve, but manages to provide an experience all its own. You control a silent, nameless knight, who is tasked with exploring the vast, insect-ridden kingdom of Hallownest. Like any good Metroidvania, Hollow Knight has a vast, interconnected map that you’re free to explore. Although certain areas are locked off in the early game, you’ll quickly begin running from one corner of the map to the other. The title’s open design teaches you by showing. Rather than holding your hand, Hollow Knight asks you to explore and find answers for yourself, resulting in one of the most satisfying experiences of this genre. With Hollow Knight: Silksong on the horizon, now is a great time to play the first game.
The Elder Scrolls
M
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Bethesda Game Studios
Publisher
Bethesda Softworks
Release
November 10, 2011
There isn’t a reason to split these three Bethesda games apart because they’re all excellent Elder Scrolls titles. Everyone has their reasons for liking one Elder Scrolls game over another, but you really can’t go wrong with any of Bethesda’s open-world epics. Morrowind established the franchise on consoles. Even after nearly 20 years, Morrowind has some of the best writing and world design in the series, and the skill system still holds up. Oblivion pushed the freeform design of Morrowind further, adding more depth and things to do in the world. It also fixed Morrowind’s clunky combat system, lowering the barrier to entry for new players. Then there’s Skyrim, which made Bethesda and Elder Scrolls household names. If you have option paralysis, we recommend starting with Oblivion. Skyrim is a close second, but Oblivion defined the systems and world design that Bethesda built upon in Skyrim.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition
M
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Strategy, Adventure
Developer
BioWare
Publisher
Electronic Arts
Release
May 14, 2021
If you’re looking for the complete Mass Effect experience with all DLC, upgraded graphics for the latest consoles, and improved systems, then the Legendary Edition is perfect for you. Create your own Commander Shepard, put together teams to fight the galaxy’s most fearsome threat, and chain your key decisions across three games to affect just how it all goes down. Mass Effect remains a pinnacle of RPG storytelling, and as the Legendary version fixes some of the clunkier aspects of earlier games, there’s no better time to jump in. Just make sure you have enough storage space for all three optimized games … it’s a lot of gigs.
Doom Eternal
M
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Shooter
Developer
id Software
Publisher
Bethesda Softworks
Release
March 19, 2020
In 2016, it seemed impossible to top Id Software’s Doom reboot. The most series fans could have hoped for from a sequel was more of the same. But Doom Eternal pushed further, refusing to conform to the exact same structure that was so successful for 2016’s Doom (both critically and commercially). The gunplay is familiar, but Doom Eternal is bigger and more ambitious. The scale of levels is massive, and Id homed in on the resource management mechanics in Doom. Instead of going from fight to fight until the end of the level, Doom Eternal makes battles interesting by forcing you to use glory kills and your chainsaw to pick up ammo and health. That pushed you into the, as described by id Software, “fun zone.” It turns out that’s a great place to be.
Halo Infinite
T
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Shooter, Adventure
Developer
343 Industries
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Release
November 15, 2021
It took some time, but Halo Infinite has finally hit Game Pass in its completed state, including both multiplayer and the campaign. This Halo story has Master Chief saving a youngling AI, fighting new (and old) kinds of enemies, journeying across a large open world (that allows for much more flexible missions that require a little more focus to complete), and using new tools like a grappling/grab hook for all-new combat possibilities. The gameplay is great, and multiplayer is as competitive as ever, though it’s still improving consistently thanks to the updates 343 Industries continues to make. If you like Halo, you’ll find a whole lot to love here.
Forza Horizon 5
E
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Racing
Developer
Playground Games
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Release
November 09, 2021
Forza is back with its best racing game yet, a beautiful romp primarily focused on the Mexican landscape, with tight controls and tons of stuff to do. There are many, many gaming modes to explore, tours to try out, and options to gather with teammates — or you can face your rivals in all kinds of races. The superb detailing and customization options for your cars, character, and properties are still here, allowing you to spend hours tinkering before hitting the road. Crossplay is also supported with PC, including Steam players, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to earn community currency and spend it on your best look.
Lil Gator Game
E
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Platform, Adventure, Indie
Developer
MegaWobble
Publisher
Playtonic Friends
Release
December 14, 2022
This pick is for the whole family. Lil Gator Game plops you into a small open world where you must explore all around in a somewhat Zelda-like adventure to help all the inhabitants. Each character you meet is cute, charming, and has a different quest for you to complete for them and become friends. This is a sweet, breezy, and intentionally not that difficult game — perfect to cleanse your palette.
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