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The Best Microsoft Xbox One Games for 2020

The Xbox Series S and X may dominate video game headlines, but don't overlook the Xbox One. The console's stellar library, a potent mix of excellent first- and third-party games, make it a worthwhile purchase.

Jeffrey L. Wilson
 & Jeffrey L. Wilson Managing Editor, Apps and Gaming

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

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Overview

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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

  • Cuphead - Xbox One

    Cuphead - Xbox One

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

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    Learn More Cuphead - Xbox One Review
  • D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die (for Xbox One)

    D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die (for Xbox One)

    4.5 Outstanding

    Pros & Cons

      • Fantastic cel-shaded visuals.
      • Great soundtrack.
      • Charming voice-overs.
      • Compelling and detailed world ripe for investigation.
      • Laggy Kinect controls.
      • Ends on a cliffhanger.
      • Vision ability feels like a cheat.

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    D4 is the best game on the Xbox One that's not a racer or a shooter. Weird, unique, and full of heart, fans of Phoenix Wright, David Lynch, or anyone looking for something off the beaten path need to check out this absurd thriller.

    Specs & Configurations

    Product Category Microsoft Xbox One
    Product Price Type Direct
    Learn More D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die (for Xbox One) Review
  • Devil May Cry 5 (for Xbox One)

    Devil May Cry 5 (for Xbox One)

    Pros & Cons

      • Tight, responsive action.
      • Familiar controls.
      • Interesting and versatile new gameplay systems.
      • Fantastic visuals.
      • Not much information has been released about the playable, non-Nero characters.

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    The genre-defining action game series is back with a new look, new abilities to master, and new characters to play, while retaining the series' trademark style and fun.

    Specs & Configurations

    Product Category Microsoft Xbox One
    Product Price Type Street
    Topic PC Games
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    Learn More Devil May Cry 5 (for Xbox One) Preview Review
  • Forza Horizon 4 - Xbox One

    Forza Horizon 4 - Xbox One

    Bottom Line:

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  • Gears 5 - Xbox One

    Gears 5 - Xbox One

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

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  • Gears Tactics (for Xbox One)

    Gears Tactics (for Xbox One)

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

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  • Grand Theft Auto V (for Xbox One)

    Grand Theft Auto V (for Xbox One)

    4.5 Outstanding

    Pros & Cons

      • 1080p/30fps.
      • Great new visual details and animations.
      • Excellent first-person mode.
      • Even more radio tracks.
      • Still some pop-ups and frame drops.
      • Field of view could be wider.
      • Textures could look better.

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    If you missed out on Grand Theft Auto V the first time around, grab it on Xbox One. The first-person mode and graphical boost are well worth the purchase. An already excellent game has turned into a superlative one.

    Specs & Configurations

    Product Category Microsoft Xbox One
    Product Price Type List
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    Learn More Grand Theft Auto V (for Xbox One) Review Review
  • Killer Instinct (for Xbox One)

    Killer Instinct (for Xbox One)

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Fun, over-the-top announcer.
      • Hard-hitting, satisfying combat.
      • Incredibly fun combo system.
      • Excellent training mode.
      • Awesome particle effects.
      • New jail system for rage-quitters.
      • Small cast of characters.
      • Excessive unlocking required to experience the game in full.
      • No arcade or story mode.

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    Killer Instinct returns as an Xbox One exclusive after a long hiatus. It's one of the most thrilling and enjoyable games at the start of this new console generation, despite feeling skimpy in some areas.

    Specs & Configurations

    Games Genre Action Games
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    Learn More Killer Instinct (for Xbox One) Review
  • Ori and the Will of the Wisps (for Xbox One)

    Ori and the Will of the Wisps (for Xbox One)

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

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  • Overwatch - Game of the Year Edition - Xbox One

    Overwatch - Game of the Year Edition - Xbox One

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

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  • Red Dead Redemption 2 - Xbox One

    Red Dead Redemption 2 - Xbox One

    Bottom Line:

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  • Resident Evil 7 Biohazard - Xbox One

    Resident Evil 7 Biohazard - Xbox One

    Bottom Line:

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  • Sunset Overdrive (Xbox One)

    Sunset Overdrive (Xbox One)

    3.5 Good

    Pros & Cons

      • Delightful sense of movement.
      • Colorful, well-designed world.
      • Fun weaponry and character customization.
      • Funny, well-acted story.
      • Short, repetitive campaign.
      • Annoying tutorial reminders.
      • Typical open-world collect-a-thon bloat.
      • Slow camera.

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    Sunset Overdrive wears its inspirations on its sleeve, but sports enough solid action and good humor to be worth a play.

    Specs & Configurations

    Product Category Microsoft Xbox One
    Product Price Type List
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  • Tekken 7 - Xbox One

    Tekken 7 - Xbox One

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

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  • The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition - Xbox One

    The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition - Xbox One

    Bottom Line:

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    Learn More The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition - Xbox One Review
The Best Microsoft Xbox One Games for 2020

Compare Specs

Select Up To 3Select Up To 2
Your Selections
Cuphead - Xbox One

Cuphead - Xbox One

D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die (for Xbox One)

Devil May Cry 5 (for Xbox One)

Devil May Cry 5 (for Xbox One)

Our Pick
Cuphead - Xbox One
Cuphead - Xbox One
D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die (for Xbox One)
D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die (for Xbox One)
Devil May Cry 5 (for Xbox One)
Devil May Cry 5 (for Xbox One)
Forza Horizon 4 - Xbox One
Forza Horizon 4 - Xbox One
Gears 5 - Xbox One
Gears 5 - Xbox One
Gears Tactics (for Xbox One)
Gears Tactics (for Xbox One)
Grand Theft Auto V (for Xbox One)
Grand Theft Auto V (for Xbox One)
Killer Instinct (for Xbox One)
Killer Instinct (for Xbox One)
Ori and the Will of the Wisps (for Xbox One)
Ori and the Will of the Wisps (for Xbox One)
Overwatch - Game of the Year Edition - Xbox One
Overwatch - Game of the Year Edition - Xbox One
Cuphead - Xbox One
Cuphead - Xbox One
D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die (for Xbox One)
D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die (for Xbox One)
Devil May Cry 5 (for Xbox One)
Devil May Cry 5 (for Xbox One)
Rating
4.5 Outstanding
4.5 Outstanding
4.0 Excellent
4.5 Outstanding
Best For
Topic
PC GamesPC Games
Product Price Type
DirectStreetListDirectStreet
Product Category
Microsoft Xbox OneMicrosoft Xbox OneMicrosoft Xbox OneMicrosoft Xbox OneMicrosoft Xbox One
Games Genre
Action Games

Buying Guide: The Best Microsoft Xbox One Games for 2020

Even More Gaming

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About Our Expert

Jeffrey L. Wilson

Jeffrey L. Wilson

Managing Editor, Apps and Gaming

Since 2004, I've written about consumer tech for many publications, including 1UP, Laptop, Parenting, Sync, Wise Bread, and WWE. I now apply that knowledge and skill set as the managing editor of PCMag's apps and gaming team.

The Technology I Use

As a member of the App & Gaming team, I use a wide variety of apps and services. Google Drive is an essential file-syncing service for moving documents between team members in this work-from-home era. Scrivener has been an invaluable writing tool as I rework my fiction manuscript. YouTube Premium and YouTube TV deliver hours of entertainment (though I only use the latter service during the F1 and NBA playoff seasons).

In terms of hardware, I use a Lenovo Thinkpad Carbon X1 laptop for work and an Origin PC tower for playing PC games. I also have a Steam Deck, which lets me play my favorite titles under a shade tree. Of course, I have a smartphone, and the Google Pixel 9a is my handset of choice.

My main input devices are the Das Keyboard 4 Professional and Logitech MX Vertical Ergonomic Mouse, though I bust out the Hori Fighting Commander Octa or Hori Fight Stick Alpha when mixing it up in fighting games. I have a thing for arcade sticks. I collect Neo Geo AES games, too, but only if I can find the carts on the (relative) cheap.

For video and music consumption, I fire up my Lenovo Tab P11; it has a sharp screen and great Dolby Atmos-powered speakers. My Kindle Paperwhite has received much use, too. I have a standalone, Sony Blu-ray player connected to a TCL television when it's time to go full cinephile. I'm also a vinyl guy, so the Bluetooth-enabled Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT keeps the wax spinning.

My first computer was a Commodore 64. Long live BASIC and retro computers!

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