With Microsoft’s new consoles now over a year old, there are plenty of excellent Xbox games for you to choose from, from third-party blockbusters to first-party exclusives. But, with all that choice, it can be hard to choose which you should play first – so we’re here to help.

We’ve tried to include a mixture of games that will dazzle and delight both adults and children but, remember, if there’s nothing on this roundup that takes your fancy, you can always check out our best Xbox Series X games guide for our full list of favorites. It’s also worth noting that many of these games are available as part of an Xbox Game Pass or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, both of which could offer better value if you can’t decide on just one game to pick up first.

Halo Infinite

Good Things

• Liberating and expansive gameplay
• An evocative and enthralling story
• impeccable sound design

Bad things

• Can only equip one piece of equipment
• Reload animations and cutscenes can stutter

Whether you’re a veteran or a lapsed player, The game is familiar but considerably better. Consisting of a free-to-play multiplayer and a campaign mode, The game has a captivating story, a huge map, and liberating gameplay, to a multiplayer offering that’s hard to put down, this game is a must-play. 

Halo Infinite is part of some of the best Xbox Series X games and is really good for people looking for a nice FPS game with great performance, awesome gunplay, and a great campaign. 

Forza Horizon 5

Good Things

• Amazing range of customization
• Well-integrated user-generated content
• Gorgeous and varied open world

Bad things

• Bland storytelling
• Limited music tracks
• Excessive purchasable add-ons

Want to put your Xbox Series XS through its paces with some high-speed races through the jungles, fields, and streets of Mexico Then Forza Horizon 5 could be for you.

We’ve come to expect Forza Horizon games to be visually impressive, and the latest entry doesn’t disappoint, offering a stunningly realized depiction of Mexico. Racing-game fanatics will love Forza Horizon 5’s gorgeous open world, and the unlimited gameplay opportunities provided by the customization options, while those less bothered about the actual racing part of it all will simply enjoy exploring. 

Whichever Xbox console you’re playing on, you’ll be blown away by Forza Horizon 5, which runs at 4K 30fps on Xbox Series X, and 1080p 30fps on Xbox Series S. But if you would rather prioritize frame rate, then there’s a performance mode option that will run the game at 60fps (but at a lower resolution). 

Psychonauts 2

Good Things

• Unique levels and characters
• Tongue-in-cheek humor
• Plenty to collect

Bad things

• Combat is a bit clunky

Psychonauts 2 is a psychedelic journey that you won’t forget. The sequel to 2005’s Psychonauts, and following directly on from Rhombus of Ruin, Psychonauts 2 once again follows Raz, a young psychic attempting to join the Psychonauts, an international group of psychic secret agents. 

Psychonauts 2 is a hilarious, heartfelt adventure that embraces a humorous take on mental health while offering unique (and often bizarre) worlds for players to explore. 

If you loved the original Psychonauts, then the sequel is worth jumping into. If you haven’t played a Psychonauts game before, but enjoy adventure platformers like Spyro and Crash Bandicoot, then this is likely going to be just your cup of tea. Plus the original game is available on Xbox Game Pass, offering the opportunity to get to grips with the series before you jump into the sequel. 

Sea of Thieves

Good Things 

• Regular exciting updates
• Unpredictability and chemistry of players

Bad Thangs

• Not as fun alone

Sea of Thieves is an online pirate adventure that sees you setting sail solo or with a crew in search of action, treasure, and fame as you attempt to become a Pirate Legend. But this pirate voyage isn’t quite as straightforward as it sounds and that’s where the fun lies. Expect to battle Krakens and skeletons, follow treasure maps where ‘X’ marks the spot, and explore darkened caverns – all before drunkenly playing musical instruments in the tavern after a long day of pirating. And that’s just some of what you can do in this excellent online adventure.

Sea of Thieves benefits from a sizable boost to its frame rate on Xbox Series XS. Previously capped at 30fps, with the occasional drop when things get particularly hectic, the game now runs at silky-smooth 4K60fps on Xbox Series X and 1080p 60fps on Xbox Series S, with significantly reduced load times. The result is tangible, and may even see you taking a few minutes out of steering your ship to simply take in the stunning views – just be prepared to bail out water when you inevitably crash.

The Touryst

Good Things

• Stunning visuals
• Plenty to do
• Family-friendly fun

Bad Things

• Can be a bit repetitive at times

You may be tempted to sleep on blocky, action-adventure The Touryst – but don’t. The game itself sees you playing as a tourist (go figure), who hops around various exotic islands completing tasks for island residents and fellow tourists alike, with the overall goal being to uncover the secret of the ancient monuments located on these islands – but that can wait.

The Touryst may have been released on various platforms before, but it looks and performs best on the Xbox Series XS. The color and visual fidelity are captivating, which is not a huge surprise given that the game renders at 6K4K on Series XS and then downsamples to the target resolution. What results is that you get a vivid tropical experience, super-fast loading times, and an overall smooth experience.