The Xbox One generation is now in its twilight, thanks to the arrival of the Xbox Series X and S - but that only means that there's a huge catalogue of games for the older consoles to enjoy whenever you like.
Here, then, are our picks for games you really should check out. Some are enhanced for Xbox One X and many of them are even available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate - a subscription service to download and play full games as often as you like.
If you're looking for a specific type of game, check out our dedicated lists in the table below.
| Xbox One: Genre Guides |
| • Best Xbox One RPGs |
| • Best Xbox One platforming games |
| • Best Xbox One shooters |
| • Best Xbox indie games |
What are the best Xbox One games ever?
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Elden Ring
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- Halo Infinite
- Control
- Forza Horizon 5
- Hollow Knight
- Disco Elysium
- Doom
- Hitman 3
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
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Not just the best game on the Xbox One, The Witcher 3 can lay claim as being one of the best of all time. It is an extraordinary feat in game design, where it seems that every action undertaken in the massive third-person RPG has an effect on the game world. Save a merchant from some bandits in a random encounter, for example, you might meet him again many hours later in a city, where he gives you a massive discount on items he has for sale. The world itself also seems alive and vibrant while the game is also capable of testing your skills so you don’t just blitz through it.
Elden Ring
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A huge open-world game that takes the combat and exploration of FromSoftware's oeuvre into a bold new genre, Elden Ring is simply a masterpiece. There are so many places to explore and map out, so many enemies to overcome and so much to see.
Everywhere you'll go will offer a new sort of challenge, be it in taut and impressive combat or in figuring out where to go next, and the journey as a whole is one that's almost unmissable.
Red Dead Redemption 2
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Although Red Dead Redemption 2 starts slow, the amount of depth and variety in mission types will soon have you well and truly hooked. It is also massive, so make sure you put aside a month to get through everything it has to offer. And, with the addition of Red Dead Online, you'll have plenty to do even after the single-player story is finished.
Halo Infinite
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Halo is back - there are a couple of other solid campaigns to check out on Xbox One in the form of Halo 4 and 5, but Infinite blows them out of the water by moving the action onto an open-world setting and giving you the freedom to approach a bunch of optional tasks however you like.
Control
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If you like third-person shooters then Control offers up one that'll feel quite unlike any you've previously played, thanks to its stratospherically weird paranormal storyline. Both in terms of gameplay and ambience, Control is utterly original, very distinctive and deeply satisfying, thanks to a decent roster of side-missions and challenges beyond the main story.
Forza Horizon 5
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Not just the best driving game on the Xbox One, Forza Horizon 5 is one of the best on any games machine. Its Mexican setting works wonderfully for providing great variety in race styles and conditions. It looks unbelievable and has so much content to offer up.
Hollow Knight
A superb platformer that has a simple art style but nonetheless packs in so much character and so many unique touches, Hollow Knight is a brilliant little game. We say "little" - there's loads of content on offer here, with a huge post-game trove of extra-challenging levels and bosses for the dedicated.
Disco Elysium
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An RPG that rips up the rulebook and lets you approach conversations, decisions and even your job in a myriad of ways to leave you feeling totally refreshed by the amount of freedom it affords you. This is a hilarious, poignant and incredibly sharp game that shouldn't be missed.
Doom
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Whatever Bethesda may believe, and whatever the tastes of millennials, Doom is all about its single-player campaign, which is a blood-smattered brilliant beast of a game. It's extensive, insanely hectic, unbelievably satisfying, gloriously gory to behold, and more than a worthy update of the classic original.
Hitman 3
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The Hitman reboot was a great episodic adventure but the newest sequel is even better - possibly the best stealth game ever, in fact. You'll need patience but the sheer number of ways to complete each assassination mission make it a game you will come back to again and again. This game also upgrades the episodes of the first two entries, so you can revisit them too using the new and improved game engine.
Assassin's Creed: Valhalla
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Assassin's Creed: Odyssey breathed fresh life into the franchise and Valhalla cements its best parts. You take on the role of Eivor, a Viking warrior tasked with settling their people in England, and it's a rip-roaring tale to enjoy.
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