Every launch title confirmed for Microsoft's beastly Xbox Series X

The Xbox Series X and Series S will be released on November 10, 2020. Microsoft's next-gen launch lineup has felt a bit lacking since Halo Infinite was delayed to 2021, leaving Xbox Series X without a killer app at launch. But now that things are a bit more focused, here's a look at every game you can expect on the next-gen Xboxes at launch.

The biggest problem with the Xbox Series X launch lineup is that there's too much crossover between it and other platforms. This throws the need for a totally new console into question as almost every "launch title" will also be available to play on Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 4, and/or PlayStation 5. The system does have impressive third-party support, but you’ll just have to decide if the visual enhancements are worth the upgrade.

With the advent of Smart Delivery — allowing gamers to play upgraded Xbox One games on the Xbox Series X for free — gamers have nothing to lose by buying games on the current-gen console and waiting for the next-gen price to drop. You only have to buy a game once in the new Xbox ecosystem, and while this is definitely a boon to gamers, will these upgraded last-gen games truly show what Xbox Series X can do?

For now, we can look forward to the following nine games we know for sure will be on Xbox Series X and S on November 10, 2020. While titles like The Medium, The Ascent, Call of the Sea, and Scorn are reportedly going to be on the system before the end of 2020, we've opted to only include the titles that have confirmed a November 10 release date on Xbox Wire.

26. Yes, Your Grace

Yes, Your Grace is an indie management game where players manage a kingdom. Tons of people come to the throne room with requests, so players have to manage resources and determine who to support. It came out on PC in March 2020 and is making its way to consoles as an Xbox Series X launch title.

25. WRC 9

While the latest racing game in this long-running series came out for PC, PS4, and Xbox One in September, an Xbox Series X version of WRC 9 is also in the cards. Speaking about the next-gen version of WRC 9, WRC managing director Oliver Ciesla has said in a press release that “the introduction of new-generation gaming consoles is a wonderfully exciting step and we’re delighted WRC 9 will be the first rally game to become available to gamers on such platforms.”

24. Warhammer: Chaosbane Slayer Edition

An enhanced version of Warhammer: Chaosbane will be a launch title for the Xbox Series X. This is a Diablo-like action RPG set in the world of tabletop game Warhammer Fantasy. This enhanced version will likely include all DLC as well as some next-gen visual enhancements. The game initially released for PC, PS4, and Xbox One in 2019.

23. War Thunder

War Thunder is a free-to-play vehicular combat game where players can fight in large scale battles while piloting a plane or driving a tank or boat. While it first released all the way back in 2013, an Xbox Series X version of the combat MMO is planned for the system's launch.

22. The Touryst

The Touryst is a charming adventure game inspired by the likes of Earthbound and StarTropics. It follows a tourist as he vacations on Monument Islands, but uncovers a larger mystery once he gets there. The Touryst came out on Xbox One earlier this year, but an upgraded Xbox Series X version is coming on November 10 and support Smart Delivery. The game is also on Xbox Game Pass.

21. Planet Coaster

Planet Coaster is a theme park and roller coaster management simulator that is quite popular on PC. Console ports, including next-gen versions of the game, were confirmed earlier this year. We now know that the Xbox Series X version of Planet Coaster will be on the system day one.

20. NBA 2K21

While NBA 2K21 is marketed with the PS5, it is also a launch title for Xbox Series X. The next-gen generation version of this sports game won't change much in terms of content, but it will get a beautiful visual overhaul thanks to the next-gen system's added power.

19. Manifold Garden

Manifold Garden is a trippy puzzle game inspired by artists like M.C. Esher. It already came to consoles earlier this year, but a better looking Xbox Series X version of Manifold Garden is planned for the launch of Xbox Series X.

18. Maneater

Tripwire Interactive released Maneater, a game full of dumb fun where players terrorize beaches and sailors as shark, on PC, PS4, and Xbox One earlier this year. Next-generation versions of the game were subsequently confirmed, and feature ray-tracing as well as 4K 60 FPS gameplay.

17. King Oddball

King Odball is an Angry Birds style game where players try to destroy buildings and enemies as a giant boulder with a large tounge. While it came out across several platforms back in 2016, an enhanced next-generation version of the game is planned for Xbox Series X.

16. Fortnite

Next-generation versions of Fortnite were confirmed during a PS5 presentation in September, and we now know that an upgraded version of the game will be on Xbox Series X at launch. If this is your favorite game, you don't have to worry about abandoning it when getting a new console.

15. Evergate

Evergate is an Ori and the Blind Forest inspired 2D platformer where the main form of movement is launching your character with Soulflame nodes scattered around each level. It was a surprise release on Nintendo Switch earlier this year, and is making its way to Xbox as an Xbox Series X launch title.

14. Enlisted

Enlisted is an intense military simulation game from the same publisher as War Thunder. While this game is still technically in its early access beta stage, it will come to Xbox Series X at launch as part of the Game Preview program. It's a timed console exclusive that runs at 4K and 60 FPS according to a blog post.

13. Dead by Daylight

Behavior Interactive told Inverse back in September that "it's always been our goal to bring Dead by Daylight to as many people as possible." While they were referencing Google Stadia at the time, this mentality also seems to apply to the next-generation of consoles.

12. Cuisine Royale

Cuisine Royale is yet another game from War Thunder publisher Gaijin Entertainment. It's a battle royale shooter where players can also use traps and demonic powers, and is getting a facelift for Xbox Series X at launch.

11. Bright Memory

Bright Memory is a shorter introduction to Bright Memory Infinite, an impressive first-person shooter made by just one Chinese man. The game led a third-party Xbox Series X showcase back in May 2020, so it's fitting that this game is also a launch title.

10. Borderlands 3

Borderlands 3 came out in 2019 but has received a steady stream of post-launch support from Gearbox since then. Gearbox confirmed in October 2020 that an upgraded version of the game is coming to both next-generation consoles at launch.

The game runs at 4K and 60 FPS and supports 4-player splitscreen co-op only on next-gen consoles. Borderlands 3 will for Xbox Series X will also give players the option to play splitscreen either vertically or horizontally when there are only two players. It will also support Smart Delivery, so Xbox One players can upgrade to this Xbox Series X version for free.

9. Observer: System Redux

Bloober Team's The Medium doesn't have a release date just yet, but we know that Observer: System Redux will be on Xbox Series X on day one.

This remaster of the 2017 cyberpunk horror game includes improved and several new cases. If you missed out on the original, you'll have another shot at trying it on Xbox Series X.

8. Devil May Cry V: Special Edition

Devil May Cry V: Special Edition was revealed during September's PS5 Showcase, but Capcom later confirmed that the upgraded 2019 game will also hit Xbox first on November 10. It includes improved graphics and frame rates, and even adds Virgil as a playable character.

7. Yakuza: Like A Dragon

Sega has confirmed that Yakuza: Like A Dragon, the next entry in its popular Japanese crime drama series, is going to be available for Xbox Series X right at launch. While this game is a turn-based RPG instead of an action beat 'em up like previous Yakuza games, Like a Dragon still retains the series' charm. The game will support Smart Delivery and cross-saving with the Xbox One version of the game.

6. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Ubisoft has a stacked fall lineup, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is one of those titles. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is set during the time of the Vikings and will provide a detailed look at their culture and invasion of England.

The game will follow in the footsteps of the latest games in the series, providing an expansive open world and large-scale battles for players to take a part in. While the game is still coming out on Xbox One, the Xbox Series X version will run at 4K 60 FPS and will be available the day the new system launches.

5. The Falconeer

Several indie titles are slated to come to Xbox Series X this fall, but The Falconeer is the only one to confirm a November 10 launch so far. Described as an "open-world aerial combat RPG" by its developer Tomas Sala, players ride giant Warbird in The Falconeer as they decide to side with or take on various factions. On Xbox Series X, the game will run at 60 FPS at a 4K resolution.

4. Dirt 5

Without a brand new Forza at release, one title will be the Xbox Series X's standout racing game: Dirt 5. Developed by Codemasters, Dirt 5 is set to take advantage of next-gen consoles by including a four-player split-screen mode. Dirt 5 also has a career mode that adapts to the player's choices and performance and features famous voice actors like Troy Baker and Nolan North as well as a track builder mode.

3. Watch Dogs: Legion

Watch Dogs: Legion was originally slated for release late in 2019, but it was delayed after Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Breakpoint flopped alongside the next title on this list. In this action-adventure game that takes place in a fictional version of London as an open world, members of a hacker group work to take down the authoritarian regime. The main gimmick: you can recruit anyone you come across.

While the game comes out for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Google Stadia in October, a new Xbox Series X version of the game will be on the next-gen system at launch. The game will take advantage of the Xbox Series X's Smart Delivery, so Xbox One owners will be able to upgrade to this new version of the game.

2. Tetris Effect: Connected

Tetris Effect: Connected is a new version of the critically acclaimed, visually stunning 2018 puzzle game. Its biggest difference, as the title suggests, is that it will feature a multiplayer mode. It supports online and local multiplayer as well as several new modes different from the usual multiplayer Tetris fare. Obviously, this Xbox Series X game will sport improved resolution, frame rate, and visual effects when compared to the PS4 version.

This includes Zone Battle that allows players to stop time in certain zones of their playfield and the titular Connected co-op mode where three players combine their playfields to take one CPU opponents. If you're looking for a fun co-op or puzzle game at the launch of Xbox Series X, Tetris Effect: Connected is that title.

1. Gears Tactics

For now, the most notable Microsoft-published launch game for the Xbox Series X is the console version of Gears Tactics. This is a turn-based strategy game spin-off of The Coalition's popular third-person shooter franchise Gears of War, and it first came out on PC in April. Inverse enjoyed the game when we reviewed it around its launch, and the console port will adapt the game to work better with a controller. It's not the most exhilarating launch game, but it is a console port of a game from one of Microsoft's biggest series.

Bonus: Enhanced Xbox One Games

Xbox Series X is poised to be backward compatible with games from every single system that Microsoft has released. While promoting the new console, the upgrades that come with some of them have already been shown off. Gears 5 was the main title Microsoft focused on for its March 16 console specs reveal. It will be playable at 4K and 60 FPS normally, though the team is aiming to support 120 FPS in multiplayer modes. It will also feature improved load times as well as contact shadows to add depth to objects and self-shadow lighting on shrubbery with the help of ray-tracing.

The March 16 specs announcement used Minecraft to highlight how ray tracing tech can make even a world made of blocks look more realistic and State of Decay 2 to demonstrate the improved loading times. If you have a lot of Xbox One games, it's good to know that some of them will be upgraded for Xbox Series X. Forza Horizon 4, Tell Me Why, and other major Microsoft-published titles will all also be enhanced for the next-generation system.

Xbox Series X and Series S will be released on November 10, 2020