In the gaming world, Xbox has carved out a significant niche with its exclusive titles. These games are designed specifically for Xbox consoles and provide unique experiences that cannot be found elsewhere. Whether you’re a long-time Xbox fan or new to the platform, understanding the world of Xbox exclusive games is critical for getting the most out of your gaming experience.
Palworld (Xbox Exclusive Games)
Who would have guessed that Palworld, the newest major Xbox exclusive Games, would become the talk of the town? Launched in January 2024, it was an immediate success, amassing an absurd amount of Steam players in its first day and solidifying its status as one of the most well-liked Xbox Game Pass titles.
A great triumph for the Craftopia developers! You’ve likely heard that this game is similar to Pokémon, and to some extent that’s true, but it also has elements in common with games like Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Ark: Survival Ascended, and Valheim. Even though the game was only available in early access when it launched, there is still much work to be done, but it has already had an incredible start.
Forza Horizon 5 (Xbox Series X|S)
One of the most beautifully designed games out there right now for any platform, that’s also pretty much the best arcade racing game out there. It will be Forza Horizon 5, indeed. The newest game from Playground Games may not bring anything new to the franchise, but it doesn’t need to because it’s an open-world racer with superb gameplay loops that have been refined to a fault and placed in the best environment the series has seen thus far.
With an infinite variety of gorgeously extravagant sports cars, a tonne of events, flawless online functionality, and an almost overwhelming amount of bells, whistles, and unlockables, this game will make every minute you spend playing feel like a crazy, sugar-coated car ride. In 2024, Forza Horizon 5 represents the pinnacle of arcade racing games.
Valheim (Xbox Series X|S)
When the fantastic PC game Valheim made its way onto Xbox Game Pass in March 2023, it became an exclusive for the Xbox console. Despite its lackluster graphics, this is one game you won’t want to miss! Playable online alone or with friends, Valheim is a “brutal” survival and exploration game featuring a vast procedurally-generated world to explore, bosses to defeat, and a ton of other features.
Getting into the rhythm of Valheim may take an hour or two, but once you do, this is one of the hardest games to put down. Based on hundreds of thousands of user reviews, it has an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating on Steam for a reason!
Rare Replay (Xbox One)
Rare Replay, which was released in 2015 to commemorate Rare’s 30th anniversary, is an excellent compilation that covers the developer’s work across several console generations and genres. Explore a wealth of content ranging from the ZX Spectrum to the Xbox 360, complemented by exclusive content, interviews, snapshot and rewind features, in-game cheats, and more.
This is a really interesting place to explore, and GoldenEye 007 just joined the cast! This is a fascinating history lesson and a ton of fun all rolled into one with titles like Sabre Wulf, R.C. Pro-AM 2, Blast Corps, Battletoads, two Perfect Dark titles, Jet Force Gemini, Killer Instinct, Banjo Kazooie, and a ton more.
Forza Motorsport (Xbox Series X|S)
The Forza series has something to offer everyone! Forza Motorsport is all about emulating the intensely realistic simulation elements of the sport, whereas Forza Horizon is focused on large open-world maps and racing in somewhat more arcade-like settings.
That’s precisely what the reboot aims to accomplish, much like earlier entries in the series. The Turn 10 team chose to give the franchise a revamp with the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S launch, instead of going with Forza Motorsport 8, which suggests we may be in for a long haul of content for the new Forza Motorsport in the future. This one is worth adding to your download list if it piques your interest.
Halo Wars 2 (Xbox One)
Halo Wars 2, released in 2017, is an amazing real-time strategy game that has us excited for a follow-up even after nearly seven years. Together with 343 Creative Assembly created a fantastic console-focused real-time strategy game that is still visually stunning and plays flawlessly on Xbox Series X even in 2024 thanks to the game’s Xbox One X improvements.
In addition to allowing you to command entire formations of Spartans, Scorpion tanks, Warthogs, and Marines on the battlefield, Halo Wars 2’s plot seamlessly integrates with the main Halo narrative. Years later, we still cherish the time we spent with the two Halo Wars franchise spinoffs, and we’d love to see more of this kind of thing come for other Xbox franchises. Without a doubt, HW2 belongs on this list!
Microsoft Flight Simulator (Xbox Series X|S)
You can take to the skies in Microsoft Flight Simulator and explore the world—yes, the entire world—in almost unbelievable detail by jumping into one of the game’s beautifully reconstructed planes. It’s an incredible experience. Out of all the Xbox exclusives on this list, we think Flight Sim is the most exceptional; it’s a unique game that’s difficult to believe has made its way onto consoles, both in terms of gameplay and visual appeal.
For obvious reasons, this one is exclusive to the Xbox Series (even though it runs on Xbox One via the cloud). It will take some getting used to all the different controls, but once everything fits together, it’s unlike anything else. We’ve spent endless hours learning and exploring this place, and every time we complete our pre-flight procedures and set out on a new adventure—even if it’s just circling our own houses for the nth time—we still get the same rush.
Gears 5 (Xbox One)
The latest installment in the venerable Xbox exclusive series, Gears 5, puts the Gears back at the top of their game in an action-packed story that can be played in cooperative mode both locally and online. This series, which is primarily known for its violent battles, has a strong campaign with unexpectedly deep character development.
It manages to hit hard on the emotions while delivering all the bloodshed that fans have grown accustomed to and even more. With the excellent Hivebusters expansion and the Ultimate Edition of this expansive adventure available on Game Pass, there’s no reason not to gather your friends, prepare your Lancers, and start blasting some Locust scum across the main campaign, Escape, and Horde modes! Gears 5 is an enormous bundle of violent, gory fun.
Conclusion
Xbox Exclusive Games titles provide a variety of gaming experiences, ranging from the intense races in Forza Horizon 5 to the tactical combat in Halo Wars 2. Xbox gaming offers both innovation and timeless enjoyment, with games like Microsoft Flight Simulator offering breathtaking realism and Rare Replay offering a nostalgic journey.
