List of Xbox Series X launch games, install sizes and 2021 releases

The Xbox Series X is the next big console from Microsoft, and it's expected to be joined by the Xbox Series S. It will be going head-to-head with the PlayStation 5 in November 2020 and on paper, there's little to split the machines. While the Xbox Series X has a great look and no shortage of power, does it have any wow factor? You can read more about that in our Xbox Series X review.

Also read: How to pre-order an Xbox Series X.

This means that the deciding factor for many consumers will be the selection of games. What can you play on the XSX? And is that list of games better or worse than the options available on the PlayStation 5 or even the Nintendo Switch?

Confirmed list of Xbox Series X and Series S launch games

On 16 October 2020, Microsoft revealed a confirmed list of launch titles. However, it's well below the 100 launch titles it originally claimed would be available. There are some notable omissions that were previously locked and loaded for launch. Below you will find a list of confirmed launch titles, and a second list fo those we expect are still be coming at launch or within a few weeks after the console has arrived.

On launch day, we checked the Xbox Series X store and not all of the games announced for launch were actually available. There may be a slight delay as countries around the world reach launch day. As such we'll update the features list below as the situation unfolds.

Note: In addition to these titles, you'll also have access to over 150 games throuugh the Game Pass Ultimate subscription, not to mention backwards compatibility across all Xbox generations.

Confirmed launch games

Releasing near launch

Since we wrote this list, the next-generation version of Marvel's Avengers has been delayed into 2021, as has the next-gen update for Cyberpunk 2077. Meanwhile, while Destiny 2 will be playable on XSX at launch, it won't receive next-gen features until a patch update scheduled for 8 December.

• • Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War (13 November)
  • Control
  • Destiny 2: Beyond Light (8 December)
  • FIFA 21 (4 December)
  • Halo: The Master Chief Collection (17 November)
  • Immortals: Fenyx Rising (3 December)
  • Just Dance 2021 (24 November)
  • Madden NFL 21 (4 December)
  • Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate (17 November)
  • Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 (8 December)
  • The Medium (10 December)
  • WRC 9

List of Xbox Series X game install sizes

Below you will find a list of Xbox Series X game install sizes. These are taken direct from the Store on the Xbox Series X, or - where possible - from games we have downloaded, installed and patched. Please also note that these sizes point to the base version of the game. If your buy a higher tier edition, such as a Legendary Edition, the install size could be considerably more. For example, the Mamba Edition of NBA 2K21 is 20GB more than the base edition.

We can confirm that the Xbox Series X has 802GB of hard drive space after the operating system is installed, and the Xbox Series S has 364GB. However, Xbox Series S versions of these games should have smaller installs in theory as the console runs at a lower resolution.

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Xbox Series X games confirmed, exclusive, release dates and more

Below you will find a list of all the Xbox Series X games that are either confirmed, or that we believe are coming to the console. At this stage we anticipate that all of these games will also work on the rumoured Xbox Series S console. We've indicated those that are exclusive to the system where possible. Please note we've used the term "Expected Release Dates" as the coronavirus pandemic has put an asterisks next to everything.

You should also pay attention to the "Status", which can be one of four categories:

1. Confirmed: Some games have been officially confirmed.
2. Announced: Some games have been announced but the formats have not been confirmed, usually a sure sign they're cross-gen.
3. Rumour: Some games are heavily rumoured, but not yet officially announced.
4. Likely: These are games that are highly likely to be on the XSX based on the historical release patterns of the series or the publisher.

This list of XSX games will be updated as their status changes and as new titles are announced. And it will keep you excited while information emerges on release dates and prices.

Full list of confirmed Xbox Series X games

Full list of rumoured Xbox Series X games

Understanding Optimised for Xbox Series X

There are many games in the list below that are available not just on the Xbox Series X, but also on the Xbox One. These cross-gen games can lead to some confusion; are they really an XBX game, or are they just a backwards compatible Xbox One game?

Thankfully, Microsoft is providing a badge to cross-gen games that are built for the Xbox Series X and are not just backwards compatible. These games are referred to as Optimised for Xbox Series X.

To make things easier, we're only listing cross-gen games that are Optimised for Xbox Series X in the big table above. This means you will get the enhanced framerate, low load times and next-gen features like DirectX Raytracing, on these games. We've also listed the titles explicitly indicated as Optimised for Xbox Series X in the feature's announcement here:

• Assassin's Creed Valhalla
• Bright Memory Infinite
• Call of the Sea
• Chivalry 2
• Chorus
• Cyberpunk 2077
• Destiny 2
• DiRT 5
• FIFA 21
• Forza Horizon 4
• Gears 5
• Gears Tactics
• Halo Infinite
• Hitman 3
• Madden NFL 21
• Marvel's Avengers
• Outriders
• Scarlet Nexus
• Scorn
• Sea of Thieves
• Second Extinction
• The Ascent
• The Medium
• Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
• Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Xbox July 2020 game reveal showcase

Microsoft hosted an online event on 24 July 2020 at which it showcased a number of new games coming to the XSX. Some were all new reveals, while others had not been announced previously for the next-generation console. The new games were:

• State of Decay 3
• Forza Motorsport 8
• Tell Me Why
• Ori and the Will of the Wisps
• The Outer Worlds: Peril on Gorgon
• Grounded
• Avowed
• As Dusk Falls
• Psychonauts II
• Destiny 2: Beyond Light
• S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2
• Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
• Tetris Effect Connected
• The Gunk
• Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis
• CrossfireX
• Fable 4
• The Falconeer
• Hello Neighbor 2
• Echo Generation
• Exomecha

Xbox 20/20 event - 13 Xbox Series X game announcements

Starting 7 May, 2020, Microsoft launched an ongoing, monthly online Xbox showcase event called Xbox 20/20. The idea is to use Xbox 20/20 to provide a continuous communication channel between fans and the next-generation console manufacturer in the lead up to the Xbox Series X release. Each event will detail how a certain aspect of the console will work.

The first event wisely focused on games. In fact, 13 new games were officially announced for the Xbox Series X at the first Xbox 20/20. You can get quick visual overview via the 90-second montage in the video embeded above. As more details emerge on each game we will add them to the table below.

List of Xbox 20/20 game reveals

• Assassin's Creed Valhalla
• Bright Memory: Infinite
• Call of the Sea
• Chorus
• Dirt 5
• Madden NFL 21
• Scarlet Nexus
• Scorn
• Second Extinction
• The Ascent
• The Medium
• Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
• Yakuza: Like A Dragon