“Next Generation” is a big term with huge connotations. Players assume all things next-gen must be incredibly shiny and resource heavy, while developers suddenly have a big new platform to build their games for. Whenever new generations arrive, people become confused and big marketing terms are thrown around in order to garner hype. As 2020 comes to a close, the Next Generation of console gaming has finally arrived and, rater appropriately, so have the questions that usually surround a generational leap. Microsoft’s powerful new Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S spearhead the new console generation, and with them comes a bunch of Optimised for Xbox Series X|S titles to enjoy.
Having rolled out globally on 10 November 2020, the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are the consoles spearheading the next generation ganging promising huge leaps in graphical fidelity and never-before-seen loading times. Microsoft’s trump card in the new generation, however, is the absolutely massive library of backward compatible games. Never before has a console launched with a library of thousands of video games — and if Microsoft’s vision for the future becomes mainstream, every Xbox console will always have access to games within unique ecosystem. This is thanks in large part how Microsoft has embraced backwards compatibility. There are hundreds of Original Xbox titles and thousands of Xbox 360 titles already available on Xbox One; with the launch of Xbox Series X|S, all of those titles and every single game playable on Xbox One will also be playable on the new systems. This incredible feat notwithstanding, there are a number of titles that have already been updated with enhancements specifically for the Next Generation!
These optimised titles, suitably labelled with “Optimised for Xbox Series X|S”, aim to help gamers enter the Next Generation with a bang. Most of these titles draw from the immense horsepower, and bountiful speeds offered by the new console hardware. Obviously, all Optimised for Xbox Series X|S games come with enhancements only capable with new hardware. These can include, but are not limited to, boosted resolutions, unlocked and/or upgraded framerates, High-Dynamic Range (HDR) support, and even support for enhanced lighting and reflections thanks to ray tracing! At launch, however, it could be daunting to figure out which of these titles will showcase the full breadth of the new consoles (only future games will really showcase what these new machines are capable of, but it is nice that optimisations are even happening for older titles). As such, we have compiled a list of all Optimised for Xbox Series X|S games at launch.

Game Resolution | High Dynamic Range (HDR) | Frames Per Second (FPS) | Raytracing | Smart Delivery |
---|---|---|---|---|
ARK: Survival Evolved 4K on Xbox Series X | N/A | 30 FPS to 60 FPS | N/A | Yes |
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla 4K on Xbox Series X 1440p on Xbox Series S | Yes | 60 FPS on Xbox Series X 30 FPS on Xbox Series S | No | Yes |
Borderlands 3 4K on Xbox Series X | Yes | 60 FPS | No | Yes |
Bright Memory 1.0 4K on Xbox Series X 1440p on Xbox Series S | N/A | 60 FPS | N/A | N/A |
Cuisine Royale 4K on Xbox Series X 1440p on Xbox Series S | N/A | 60 FPS | Yes | Yes |
Dead by Daylight 4K on Xbox Series X 1080p on Xbox Series S | No | 60 FPS | No | No |
Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition 1080p – 4K on Xbox Series X | Yes | 30 FPS – 120 FPS | Xbox Series X Only | No Standalone purchase |
Dirt 5 4K on Xbox Series X 1440p on Xbox Series S | Yes | 60 FPS – 120 FPS | N/A | Yes |
Enlisted 4K on Xbox Series X 1440p on Xbox Series S | N/A | 60 FPS | Yes | N/A |
Evergate 4K on Xbox Series X | N/A | 60 FPS | No | N/A |
The Falconeer 1800p – 4K on Xbox Series X 1080p – 1800p on Xbox Series S | Yes | 60 FPS – 120 FPS | No | Yes |
Fortnite 4K on Xbox Series X 1080p on Xbox Series S | Yes | 60 FPS | No | Yes |
Forza Horizon 4 4K on Xbox Series X 1080p on Xbox Series S | Yes | 60 FPS | No | Yes |
Gears 5 4K on Xbox Series X 1080p on Xbox Series S | Yes | 60 FPS – 120 FPS | Yes | Yes |
Gears Tactics 4K on Xbox Series X 1080p on Xbox Series S | Yes | 60 FPS | No | Yes |
Grounded 4K on Xbox Series X 1080p on Xbox Series S | Yes | 60 FPS | No | Yes |
King Oddball 4K on Xbox Series X | No | 120 FPS | No | Yes |
Maneater 4K on Xbox Series X | N/A | 60 FPS | Yes | Yes |
Manifold Garden 4K on Xbox Series X 1440p on Xbox Series S | No | 60 FPS | No | Yes |
NBA 2K21 4K on Xbox Series X 1440p on Xbox Series S | Yes | N/A | Yes | No DLC Purchase |
Observer: System redux 4K on Xbox Series X 1440p on Xbox Series S | Yes | 60 FPS | Yes | No |
Ori and the Will of the Wisps 4K – 6K Supersampled on Xbox Series X 1440p – 4K Supersampled on Xbox Series S | Yes | 60 FPS – 120 FPS | No | Yes |
Planet Coaster 4K on Xbox Series X | Yes | N/A | No | Yes |
Sea of Thieves 4K on Xbox Series X 1080p on Xbox Series S | Yes | 60 FPS | No | Yes |
Tetris Effect: Connected 4K on Xbox Series X 1440p on Xbox Series S | Yes | 60 FPS | No | Yes |
The Touryst 4K on Xbox Series X 4K supersampled on Xbox Series S | No | 120 FPS | No | Yes |
War Thunder 4K on Xbox Series X | N/A | 60 FPS | Yes | Yes |
Warhammer: Chaosbane Slayer Edition 4K on Xbox Series X 1440p on Xbox Series S | N/A | 30 FPS – 60 FPS | N/A | Yes |
Watch Dogs Legion 4K on Xbox Series X 1080p on Xbox Series S | Yes | 30 FPS | Yes | Yes |
WRC 9 FIA World Rally Championship 4K on Xbox Series X 1440p on Xbox Series S | N/A | 30 FPS – 60 FPS | N/A | Yes |
Yakuza: Like a Dragon 1440p – 4K on Xbox Series X 900p – 1440p on Xbox Series S | No | 30 FPS – 60 FPS | No | Yes |
The list is truly immense! the crowning achievement here, however, is that these titles are only those that are available right at launch. There are already hundreds more, from a combination of backwards compatible games and new games still releasing in the next couple of years that are still in the works. Upcoming titles with confirmed optimisations include Cyberpunk 2077, Forza Motorsport 7, and even Control. The wonderful aspect of the Optimised for Xbox Series X|S label is that it is genuinely easy for new console owners to jump into the action and push their consoles to the limits. Which titles will you be playing at launch? Let us know!
Sources: Xbox (official site), Xbox Wire
Junior Editor at Vamers. From Superman to Ironman; Bill Rizer to Sam Fisher and everything in-between, Edward loves it all. He is a Bachelor of Arts student and English Major specialising in Language and Literature. He is an avid writer and casual social networker with a flare for all things tech related.