15 Xbox Series S/X games to play in 2026, from blockbusters to indie gems

The Guardian has picked 15 games it recommends for Xbox Series S and X owners in 2026, saying the consoles “still have plenty to offer” despite approaching their twilight years.

The selection spans big-budget hits and lesser-known indies. Highlights include Alan Wake 2 — in which the cursed author is trapped in an alternate dimension “thirteen years after vanishing” — Baldur’s Gate 3, Elden Ring (complete with the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC), Forza Horizon 4 and Minecraft.

Also featured are acclaimed smaller or genre-bending titles such as Hades, Psychonauts 2, Hi‑Fi Rush, Pentiment (set in a 16th-century Bavarian village), Persona 5 Royal, Resident Evil 4 Remake, Sea of Thieves and Split Fiction, each noted for distinct gameplay or narrative approaches.

The Guardian’s piece includes brief reasons for each pick and links to full reviews for many of the games, highlighting the range from “tense psychological horror” to “wild escapism.”

Key Topics

Culture, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Elden Ring, Minecraft