The very best Xbox games exclusive to Microsoft

For as long as we can remember, Xbox and PlayStation gamers have been arguing over which console has the better exclusive games. Today we’re focusing on Xbox, a brand that has been around for quite some time and has compiled a large library of impressive games.

All of this has been bolstered by the power of the Xbox Game Pass. Here we’ve gathered some of the best games exclusive to Microsoft gaming platforms, whether that’s an Xbox console or a Microsoft Windows PC.

Forza Horizon 5

Forza Horizon 5 has been described as the racing series at its absolute best. Arguably one of the best-looking games out there, Forza Horizon 5 offers something for everyone. A large map to explore, plenty of cars to collect, and improvements in every category are just a few things that stand out.

Forza Horizon 5 Official Announce Trailer

Also, there’s a Hot Wheels crossover? We’re driving, hop in!

Is Forza Horizon 5 on Game Pass? Yes.

Sunset Overdrive

After years of making Sony exclusives, Insomniac Games stepped out of their comfort zone with Sunset Overdrive. With the help of Microsoft, Insomniac put together a game that borrowed elements from Tony Hawk, Prince of Persia, and Jet Set Radio. Not to mention it retained the core identity of charm Insomniac are known for.

Sunset Overdrive is set in the beautiful city of Sunset City. As a former employee of popular drink brand FizzCo, you soon find yourself having to find a zombie apocalypse caused by an energy drink.

Let’s just be honest. This game is an Insomniac product. It’s silly, it doesn’t take itself seriously, and it’s also pretty dang good. Who knew surviving a zombie apocalypse while grinding rails and using a teddy bear launcher could be so fun?

Is Sunset Overdrive on Game Pass? Yes.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection

You can’t mention anything Xbox-related without bringing up Halo.

Arguably one of the most influential FPS games of all time, Master Chief changed gaming and Xbox forever. Halo: The Master Chief Collection includes 6 of the series’ greatest adventures with upgrades aplenty.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection – The Ultimate Halo Experience

Let’s not lie, it’s weird going back in time to play older titles. Seeing how much the FPS genre has evolved since Halo was first released back in 2001. However, going back in time isn’t a bad thing. If you’re like me, revisiting older games is a joy as it’s an enjoyable trip to when gaming was simple.

Trust us, you’ll get plenty of that when you replay this game. It’s as faithful a recreation of six games that you can get except it’s prettier.

Is Halo: The Master Chief Collection on Game Pass? No.

Gears of War (series)

Much like Halo, Gears of War elevated Microsoft to higher levels when the Xbox 360 launched back in 2006.

However, Gears of War was a different experiment. As Halo typically featured mini open-world hubs, Gears was strictly linear. Yet Gears shined in its linearity with its combat being the highlight of man’s struggle versus the Locust. Take cover and pop shots or run at your foes with your revved-up chainsaw assault rifle.

Gears of War was smooth, and it was such a cool concept. Important to note that despite what some think of the newer games, this spot is reserved for any of the Gears games.

Is Gears of War on Game Pass? Gears 4 and Gear of War: Ultimate Edition are.

Fable

Before Peter Molyneux went on a strange spiral that we don’t have the space to discuss here, he was at the head of one of Xbox’s most renowned titles. The Fable games weren’t perfect by any means, but they had a lasting legacy on gaming. Features such as a morality system are important systems that games are still using to this day.

Now, we know a morality system isn’t everything. Yet it’s just one of the many things a game that was released in the early 2000s did right.

Fable – Official Reveal Trailer | Xbox Showcase 2020

Some games throw in these systems to add “depth” and fall flat. Fable’s actually had a purpose as you could see the effect you had on the world. Now’s the perfect time to discover Fable and experience one of the more lighthearted well-received RPG games.

Is Fable on Game Pass? No.

Starfield

Bethesda Gaming is best known for creating the Elder Scrolls and Skyrim worlds, but their 2023 game Starfield adds a brand new universe to the line-up. And, of course, it’s exclusively available on the Xbox Series X|S consoles.

Starfield is an action-RPG that takes players across the Milky Way to collect artifacts and make story-altering choices. With 1,000 planets and even more moons to land on, NPCs to romance, and weapons galore, this is one of the most innovative games to come out in recent years.

Bethesda fans will appreciate the same open world setting found in their other games and the repeatability of Starfield. No spoilers, of course.

Is Starfield on Game Pass?: Yes.

Avowed

Avowed is the third game set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, and asks the player to end the Dream Scourge plaguing the Living Lands.

Similarly to Starfield, Avowed is an open world game where choices matter. Here though, the focus is much more terrestrial and lacks the chance for romance. But its smaller-than-galactic scale doesn’t mean players won’t be busy.

Some keen players may also notice elements of Outer Worlds and Destiny. The latter inspired the game, while the director of an Outer Worlds spin-off helped to develop it.

Is Avowed on Game Pass?: Yes.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Fans spent 15 years waiting for the next S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game and, if they had an Xbox Series X|S, got to play it as an exclusive in 2024. A survival horror game, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is set in the exclusion zone around the remains of the Chernobyl nuclear powerplant in Ukraine.

Players have to the post-apocalyptic scene and the dangerous anomalies lurking in the shadows.

Word to the wise: when meeting Doc, make decisions carefully. The ending may depend on it.

Is Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl on Game Pass?: Yes.

South of Midnight

South of Midnight pulls from the Deep South mythos to weave an fascinating action-adventure narrative. Players who find mythology and local legends interesting have come to the right place.

The game relies on an ancient weaving magic to defeat Haints and cleanse Stigma in the American South. Hazel, the main character, also has massive hooks to physically combat enemies in addition to her magic. Despite the rampant action, the story beats are really where South of Midnight stands out from the crowd of modern games.

South of Midnight came out in April 2025. Interested players looking to boot it up on console will find that this game is an Xbox exclusive.

Is South of Midnight on Game Pass?: Yes.

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Microsoft Flight Simulator takes the best part of being in a plane and combines it with actually getting to fly it. This is definitely the most peaceful game on the list.

Players get to fly over scenic, near photo-realistic routes thanks to the integration of ground satellite images. They can also choose from 20 airplanes and over 30 different airports to take off from.

The 2020 version of the game is the first to make it onto consoles and is exclusively found on Xbox. While made for the Xbox Series X|S, players can use Game Pass to run it on Xbox One.

Fans of Microsoft Flight Simulator should consider sticking with the 2020 version and avoiding the 2024 update. As of time of writing, there are so many bugs that many series fans consider the game to be almost unplayable.

Is Microsoft Flight Simulator on Game Pass?: Yes.