Confirmed Day One Launch Titles For The Xbox Series X

Microsoft’s next-gen console, the Xbox Series X and the cheaper, less powerful Series S, may not be launching with many exclusives, but both have sold out of preorders almost immediately. Some pre orders have even already been delivered well ahead of the expected November 10 launch date.

After Microsoft’s purchase of Bethesda Studios, the future is looking rather bright for the newest console. Halo Infinite, Microsoft’s biggest exclusive franchise, won’t be available for a while, so what are new Xbox Series X/S owners supposed to play?

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Although, not an exclusive, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla will be available for Xbox Series X two days ahead of PlayStation 5 owners. Those expected to have an Xbox Series X on day one will be treated to the next Assassin’s Creed on Nov. 10 while PS5 gamers have to wait for Nov. 12. Take a trip to 873AD, as a viking attempting to expand into England where you’ll face legendary adversaries like Alfred of Wessex and the sons of Ragnar Lothbrook. Should be a viking of a good time.

Dirt 5

Racing fans should be excited for this release. What better way to show off next-gen technology than through a mudslinging, tire-peeling, pedal to the metal, racing game by Codemasters. Initially, Dirt 5 will be available to both PS4 and Xbox One owners on Nov. 6 with Series X getting a release on the 10th. 

What better way to show off next-gen power than with mud? Lots and lots of mud. Well, and cars too. The Series X version comes with a 120Hz mode that is sure to blow videophile gamers away.

The Falconeer

Explore the world of Great Ursee as a mechanized falcon warship in The Falconeer. This title is both visually stunning and charming, and looks to play similarly to that of Star Fox. It’s an aerial dogfighting game that mixes open-air combat with open-world exploration. 

You’ll look to uncover secrets lost to the sea as you join or oppose different factions and clans scattered throughout the world. The Falconeer comes with multiple classes with individual stats, weapons and warbirds that can be upgraded through winning battles, completing quests, discovering secrets, and more.

Watch Dogs Legion 

Another entry on this list that lands on both systems with the Series X getting hands on first. Watch Dogs Legion is the third game in Ubisoft’s Watch Dogs franchise, and takes place in surveillance London. 

The slightly dystopian, open-world will snag two weeks of next-gen exclusivity on Series X launching alongside the system on Nov. 10. PlayStation 5 owners will need to wait until Nov. 24 until they can get in on the revolution.

Fortnite

Fortnite’s money train is rolling into the next generation of gaming . The battle royale shooter is coming to Xbox Series X on launch day. Epic Games says it’ll be optimized for next-gen hardware, but look for bigger changes next year when Fortnite is migrated from Unreal Engine 4 to Unreal Engine 5.

The rest of the games on this list will be mostly revamps, remakes, or expansions to already playable titles. Some free and some will charge you an upgrade fee, but all will be available on Nov. 10.

NBA 2K21

NBA 2K21 has already been released on current-gen systems Xbox One and PS4 in early September and will launch alongside the Xbox Series X on Nov. 10. Those who already own the games for either system will need to cough up $10 for the next-gen upgrade. That is, unless you’ve already purchased the Mamba Forever Edition, in which case the upgrade is “free.”.

Borderlands 3

Borderlands 3 will be getting a 4K resolution and 60fps boost once it lands on the Xbox Series X (Series S will be at 1440p) and PS5 on their respective launch days. Not only that, but they’ll also include a few gameplay upgrades like local split-screen co-op play, a new game mode, and added skill trees for all character classes.

The Borderlands 3 next-gen upgrade will be completely free for those who already own the game on previous-gen systems.

Marvel’s Avengers

Marvel’s Avengers on PS5 and Xbox Series X is free for those who already own it for PS4 or Xbox One. That being said, the game is in a rather weird place as far as content goes. We’ve received no word on if new content will be coming with the next-gen releases but we have been given confirmation that more content will be coming in the future.

If you’re anxious about taking up arms as your favorite Avenger, the storyline is still highly recommended for playthrough. It is a “game as a service” newly released title so, even as content is limited at the moment, you can be assured that content will trickle in for years to come.

Bright Memory

FYQD Personal Studio brings a gritty, first-person Devil May Cry-esque adventure to next-gen consoles. The Chinese developer has created a one of a kind first-person shooter full of futuristic powers and enemies. The updated version will be called Bright Memory Infinite, and will be available sometime 2021. But you can purchase the current game and play it using backwards compatibility until the upgrade arrives.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Available in Japan since January, Like a Dragon takes the Yakuza formula and goes even deeper into the RPG aspects. This entry into the series takes a departure from the franchise’s action combat and opts for a more traditional turn-based system, as well as a jobs system seen in traditional JRPGs.

The game will be available to all markets for the Xbox Series X on Nov. 10.

Tetris Effect: Connected

One of the best games of 2018, the Tetris Effect was a smash hit. Connected is a multiplayer expansion exclusive to Windows and Xbox, but its publisher claims that you should consider Connected “the 2.0 version of Tetris Effect.”

Expect a larger, more polished game with additional bells and whistles once Tetris Effect: Connected becomes available on Nov. 10.

Observer: System Redux

Interested in a psychological horror game? Enjoy games that make the hair stand up on the back of your neck? Observer: System Redux may be just the ticket for launch day. Explore a slum in post-apocalyptic Krakow, a dark cyberpunk world as a neural detective that can hack into people’s minds. You can play a demo of the next-gen version right now on Steam.

Games for Microsoft’s next-gen console don’t end there. Xbox One favorites are being optimized for next-gen technology, which includes the likes of Gears of War 5, Gears Tactics, Forza 4, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, and Sea of Thieves. You’ll be able to access these titles using Smart Delivery for Xbox Series X.