What are the best Xbox exclusives you can play as of March 2023?
The Xbox ecosystem has been home to some truly stellar Xbox exclusives over the years, top-notch titles that you'll only find on Microsoft's family of consoles and PC. What's more, the vast majority of these titles are now available via Xbox and PC Game Pass, making it easier than ever for you to dive into some of the best gaming experiences currently available.
In order to help you choose which Xbox exclusives to get stuck into next, we've gone ahead and put together a list of our absolute favourites, games from across several generations that encompass a wide range of genres - there really is something for everyone to enjoy here. For your convenience, we've also highlighted whether or not each and every listing below is currently available on Xbox Game Pass in 2023.
We've primarily stuck to Xbox One and Xbox Series exclusives for this list, although you'll also find some Xbox 360 exclusives in the mix. Regardless, everything listed here works on modern Xbox consoles like the Series X and Series S.
If you're interested in more than just the best Xbox exclusives, don't forget that we've also got other guides such as the best games on Xbox Game Pass and best Xbox RPGs. We're also expecting a big year for Xbox exclusives in 2023, so don't forget to check out the full list of everything announced for Xbox Game Pass in 2023 so far.
Let's jump in!
Best Xbox Exclusives (As Of March 2023)
Sea Of Thieves (Xbox One)
Arrrrrr! Rare’s colourful pirate hijinks have come a long, long way since they first arrived on the scene back in 2018. What was once a rather threadbare and often aimless experience has been utterly transformed into a rich and vibrant world full of adventure and intrigue through constant updates, improvements and tasty content additions.
Yes, getting into great big sea battles against other players, fighting all manner of fantastical creatures and searching for treasure may be the main draw, but even the simple act of working together to successfully manoeuvre your ship here is a joy, such is the craftsmanship and attention to detail with which Rare has put this world together. With the best water we’ve ever seen in a video game - the sea here really is a character in and of itself - Sea of Thieves is a highly atmospheric adventure playground that provides an absolute timesink for groups of friends and solo players alike. This is one of our absolute favourite Xbox exclusives thus far!
- Xbox Game Pass? Yes
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Forza Horizon 5 (Xbox Series X|S)
One of the most exquisite looking games currently available on any gaming platform, that also happens to be just about as good as arcade racing games get? Yeah, that'll be Forza Horizon 5.
Playground Games' latest may not do anything particularly new for the franchise, but it doesn't really need to, as this is the open world racer's exquisite gameplay loops honed to absolute perfection and plonked down in the very best setting the series has seen to date. An endless array of wonderfully flashy sports cars, tons of events, seamless online functionality and constant, almost overwhelming, bells, whistles and unlockables see every moment you spend with this game feel like some sort of crazy, car-based sugar rush. Forza Horizon 5 is as good as arcade racing gets in the year of 2023.
- Xbox Game Pass? Yes
Immortality (Xbox Series X|S)

It's a pretty rare thing for us to award games with an "Outstanding" 10/10 score here at Pure Xbox, but Immortality was one of the few games to earn that award in 2020, and it's the only Xbox exclusive we've awarded that score to on this list. In other words, we think this is one of the best games available on Xbox full stop!
Be warned though, this is not your typical game. The idea of Immortality is that you need to watch film footage to discover what happened to the film star Marissa Marcel, and you're in control of what footage you decide to view and how you decide to view it. If you're curious by that premise, we think you'll have an amazing time with it.
- Xbox Game Pass? Yes
Microsoft Flight Simulator (Xbox Series X|S)
Microsoft Flight Simulator is an extraordinary experience, a truly jaw-dropping game that gives you the freedom to hop into one of its stunningly recreated planes and take to the skies to explore the world - yes, the entire world - in an almost unbelievable level of detail. Of all the Xbox exclusives on this list, we feel like Flight Sim is truly special, a one-of-a-kind game that it's quite hard to believe has actually made its way to consoles playing and looking quite as well as it does.
This one's an Xbox Series exclusive for obvious reasons (although it works via the cloud on Xbox One), and it'll take you some time to get used to all the various controls, but once it all clicks into place, there's nothing like it. We've sank hours and hours into discovering and exploring here and still get the same level of thrill every time we run through our pre-flight checks and take off for another journey, even if that journey consists of nothing more than circling our own houses for the umpteenth time.
- Xbox Game Pass? Yes
Rare Replay (Xbox One)

Released back in 2015 to celebrate Rare's 30th anniversary, Rare Replay is a splendid compilation that spans the developer's work across multiple genres and console generations. From the ZX Spectrum right up to the Xbox 360, there's a treasure trove to explore here and it's enhanced by behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, snapshot and rewind functions, built in cheats and more besides.
There's so much to dig into here, and GoldenEye 007 will be joining the lineup in the relatively near future as well! With the likes of Sabre Wulf, R.C. Pro-AM 2, Blast Corps, Battletoads, two Perfect Dark titles, Jet Force Gemini, Killer Instinct, Banjo Kazooie and a whole heap more, this is a fascinating history lesson and boatload of fun-times all rolled into one.
- Xbox Game Pass? Yes
As Dusk Falls (Xbox Series X|S)
One of the few brand-new Xbox Game Studios releases for Xbox in 2022 arrived in the form of As Dusk Falls, developed by the talented team at Interior Night. Although it might not look much on the surface, As Dusk Falls ended up proving one of our favourite games of the year, scoring an "Excellent" 9/10 in our review here at Pure Xbox.
We called it a "cracking crime thriller" that "feels like the exact thing we should be seeing on a regular basis from Xbox Game Studios on Game Pass." Plus, it's built for playing with others (you can use your phone!), so if you've gathered a group of friends and you fancy playing a narrative adventure game, it's worth giving this one a try.
- Xbox Game Pass? Yes
Gears 5 (Xbox One)

Gears 5 is an absolutely essential entry in the long-running Xbox exclusive franchise that sees the Gears right back at the top of their game in an action-packed adventure that's fully playable in co-op either locally or online. There’s a strong campaign here, surprisingly character-driven stuff for a series that’s known chiefly for its brutal battles, it manages to pack an emotional punch while serving up all the carnage fans have come to expect and more besides.
With the Ultimate Edition of this sprawling adventure available on Game Pass, alongside the truly excellent Hivebusters expansion, there’s no excuse not to grab some friends, ready your Lancers and get blasting some Locust scum across the main campaign, Escape and Horde modes! Gears 5 is a massive package of brutal, bloody good times.
- Xbox Game Pass? Yes
Valheim (Xbox Series X|S)

The outstanding PC game Valheim became an Xbox console exclusive when it arrived on Xbox Game Pass in March 2023, and although the graphics might not be up to much, you definitely don't want to miss out on this one!
Valheim is a "brutal" survival and exploration game which you can either play solo or with friends online, with extensive building mechanics, a massive procedurally-generated world to explore, bosses to conquer and much more. It might take you an hour or two to get into the rhythm of Valheim, but once you're there, this is a game that's extremely difficult to put down. There's a reason it has an "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating on Steam based on hundreds of thousands of user reviews!
- Xbox Game Pass? Yes
Quantum Break (Xbox One)

Quantum Break is one of the most sophisticated cinematic experiences on Xbox, with lavish production values, convincing performances, and a riveting sci-fi plot.
Remedy delivered up a third-person action-adventure game with the spectacle of a summer blockbuster and structure of a TV series here and, although the commitment to delivering a rich, layered narrative isn't always conducive to top-notch gameplay, it doesn't diminish how engrossing this is as an entertainment experience overall. The combination of intense time-bending action, gripping story, and cutting-edge presentation make this the kind of game that sucks you in and doesn't let go until the credits roll. While it's not quite as inventive as it thinks it is, Quantum Break is fresh, ambitious, and a heck of a lot of fun.
- Xbox Game Pass? Yes
Comments (74)
Didn't know insomniac did sunset overdrive, may have to give it a try at some point this weekend
Apart from FH5 the only top end AAA new exclusive in 2021 for Series consoles, you might as be living in the past.
No where’s my Tardis 😂
@UltimateOtaku91
Good game sunset overdrive, a bit different but great.
But isn't xbox the console with "no games"?!?! 😧
Genuinely had to open the article to see how the list was going to be padded.
And it's not hate, I'm an Xbox owner just as everybody else. But man, would it have been a short list without backward compatibility
cough*Recore*cough
does Gears 5 not have series X/S version?
I would love to play Fable 2 GOTY but it looks terrible on a 75” TV. That release needs some love!
yes, it sucks to be a Xbox player
@trev666 Yeah it does, the tags in each header just relate to which generation each game launched in.
When it comes down to it, it's a personal choice. Sure Xbox has games. With GamePass, literally too many (good thing).
That said, all things being equal, personally, I would rather have the exclusives on the PlayStation, then what's on the Xbox as it sits right now. I say this as an Xbox owner.
Maybe a fun article/poll to have? Which exclusives would you rather want.
@Savage_Joe Yeah I never understood the "no games" thing, like exclusives should be the only games I should ever have any interest in playing at all times. In fact my problem has always been the opposite, I got way too many games to play and it can be hard to decide sometimes. Especially considering the massive back catalog of games you have access to on Xbox thanks to the unrivaled backwards compatibility support.
@UltimateOtaku91 sunset overdrive can be played on the PS5 since insomniac is owned by Sony
@Arcnail i would prefer the higher quality exclusive on the PS5 personally
@phoenix1 Looking for Sunset Overdrive on PS5. I don't see it.
@phoenix1 The Sony Insomniac deal has nothing to do with Sunset Overdrive or their prior work such as Spyro, those are tied in with other publishers. There's an Xbox and PC version, but if you are buying a PS5 expecting to find it there you will be very disappointed.
For the record I am curious as to what all of these incredible PS5 exclusives are at the moment, games so good that it's the only thing you would want to play apparently.
@Arcnail PS5 console and Xbox games on PC. Best of both worlds!
My plan is i will play xbox this generation with gamepass as most stuff will come out on that. Rewards paid for the console and continues to pay for gamepass.
and i wont miss out on PlayStation exclusives as at the end of the generation i will buy a ps5 and play them all then when they are cheap or on their own sub service. Im not paying £70 for a game
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@JayJ Demon’s Souls, Returnal, Spiderman, Miles Morales, Ratchet an Clank, Gran Turismo 7, Horizon Forbidden West, Ghost of Tsushima, FF7, Death Stranding, Deathloop (timed), Sackboy, Uncharted 4.
Plus loads of PS4 games boosted to 4K 60 fps like God of War, Days Gone, TLOU 2, etc.
Plus PS has far more AAA upcoming exclusives.
Ain’t no way you put Sunset Overtrash on this list 🤣🤣
@JayJ Thanks to Backwards Compat ? So Xbox gamers just get rid of the old systems ? PlayStation gamers keep their systems so we don’t need it as much as you lot go on about it
I should have realised the comments would be full of complaining and fanboys listing Playstation games.
But that aside can anyone think of any missed off? I’ve got Recore and Gun Valkyrie. Knights of the Old Republic?
Im sorry, but new consoles need new games and pointing out games from bygone years is hardly cattering for thise who crave top new experiences.
As a repository of excellent titles from the past, xbox and gp nail it, and they have big enough pockets to supply some excellent 3rd party titles too. But theres so little new stuff you cant experience elsewhere and it IS an issue.
@Titntin
It definitely seems to be for some people. I don’t get very motivated by exclusives personally.
@JayJ Sony have released a lot more AAA exclusives than MS this year, but I'm guessing you don't even own a PS5.
@NattyKing Well why are you on an Xbox site promoting the Sony Playstation? What makes you think everyone on a site called Pure Xbox would be all about the PS5?
@electrolite77 Yeah funny enough the people who seem to be extremely motivated by a mediocre list of exclusives are people who go to an Xbox website to promote the PS5. Says everything really.
This kind of behavior is why Sony Playstation fans are notorious for being by far the worst and most invasive fanboys. Nobody else does this, going to websites specifically for a different platform just to fanboy for Playstation. Like I don't see Nintendo or PC fans doing this.
I guess when all you got for why you promote something is a small list of games and an exclusivity status that nobody really cares about, you gotta really double down on reassurance. You would think these people would just stick to Sony Playstation websites if they want to be surrounded by people praising the PS5 and promoting it.
@JayJ there is really no reason for the aggressive tone.. nor does stating a fact make one a fanboy of either platform.
It's a fact Xbox is lacking in exclusivity department, in general, not just compared to PS. If anything, Nintendo is leading the pack on that front.
@Cikajovazmaj Pretty sure I didn't start in on the aggressive tone in this comments section, the Playstation fanboys have done enough of that themselves. I am simply pointing out the fact that an article on an Xbox website about Xbox games is a really odd place to be promoting Sony Playstation games and the PS5 platform. If you are expecting to find everyone being a fan of that I feel like you should be sticking to other websites and different articles.
It’s a bit much wen the console’s been out 2 years and the best exclusives are games that are years old!! Apart from FORZA Horizon 5 there’s been nothing. I said months ago Starfield would not release in 2022. And they can’t blame the pandemic! Sony also had a pandemic yet Playstation has numerous new games! MS are dropping the ball again like they did with the Xbox One. Great console but wat use is it with no games!!?
@sjbsixpack So why are you here and not raving about your love for the Sony corporation and their products on Push Square?
@JayJ i’m on Playstation an Xbox pages. I’m a gaming fanboy, i want the best games. Up to now only Sony an Nintendo are giving me them.
@sjbsixpack You didn't really answer my question. Why are you in the comments section for an article about Xbox exclusives if you are only interested in promoting and talking about Playstation exclusives?
@Savage_Joe clearly
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There's some really good games on this list but they're mostly really old and i've sadly played everything I want to except Sable. (Was hoping that might be in PX Game Club)
@JayJ
I think there’s an element of insecurity attached to ‘exclusives’ in Gaming. It seems really important to some that they have something others don’t. I don’t get it personally.
I tried Quantum Break and just couldn’t get on with it. Not my style with the FMV scenes in it.
Rest of the list is pretty solid, but their are a ton of third party games to play too.
@sjbsixpack It is also a bonafide ‘fact’ that Sony delay's games too… so what’s your point?
@trev666 Yes it does, plus the next gen DLC free to Game Pass members.
@sjbsixpack Sony delayed games due to the pandemic too. Doesn’t matter if they have released as they were delayed.
People seem to be singling Xbox out here, yes it sucks games have been delayed, but Sony has delayed games just as much. I look at the third party titles still coming to Game Pass and am excited still, Atomic Heart? Yes please, plus a ton of other games I haven’t played.
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@S1ayeR74 there’s no comparison!! Every Xbox game bar Forza H 5 delayed!! One exclusive game in 2 years!!! I’ll bet ya Ragnorok hits the shops in 2022.
@sjbsixpack It is a direct comparison, it is a bit ignorant to claim otherwise. God Of War Ragnarock will probably be delayed till next year too as no gameplay, not even a screenshot or CGI has been shown for the game. It’s very comparable.
@sjbsixpack Forza Horizon 5, Halo Infinite, The Gunk, Phsyconauts 2, MS Flight Simulator, Gears. 5 Hivebusters, The Ascent was a timed exclusive, The Medium was too.
These are only just the ones I’ve played or can remember. Good lost here of what has and is coming http://news.xbox.com/en-us/2021/01/15/2021-xbox-exclusive-games/
So yeah just a few more then ‘one’… stop making things up, plenty has and is coming to the platform.
@S1ayeR74 Halo was a year late, Gears 5 is an Xbox One game, Flight Sim was out on PC 1 year before it was on Xbox an isn’t really a game, timed exclusive isn’t exclusive.
@S1ayeR74 and ya sure about that???
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EE-4GvjKcfs
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@sjbsixpack So if a game is on PC it's not exclusive? Well only Nintendo have exclusive games then. Because Sonys games are on PC too... no, I am 100% sure of everything I said, all those games were exclusive or times exclusive but they weren't or aren't on Sony and Nintendo consoles. I've been enjoying all those Xbox exclusives over the last couple of years. Not sure why you think any different?
@sjbsixpack @sjbsixpack Didn't know they had made a CGI trailer for it, hmm 8 months ago and no release date. Is that all they've shown in 8 months? Yeah I think it could be delayed.
@sjbsixpack Good for them, I'm not watching a click bait video, I'm pretty certain I could link to one setting the total opposite, I have my own opinion and appreciate the facts the Xbox has had plenty of 'exclusive' games despite the impression you are trying to give. I await the other exclusives coming this year and what is announced at the E3 event.
@S1ayeR74 your acting as tho i’m hating on Xbox, i’m not. I have a Series X, my kids av Series S. It’s a fact tho MS av dropped the ball. Again. I’m not saying Flight Sim isn’t exclusive, i’m saying it isn’t a Series X exclusive, it’s an old game that was originally made for PC. Like i wouldn’t say Knights of the Old republic is a PS5 exclusive. Also some PS games come to PC, not all and they come out up to 4 years after release. God of War recently landed, Ragnorok is out in a few months.
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@electrolite77 I totally get what u r saying. I think some people almost make their console of choice part of their identity. That said, I think at least to a degree, you buy a console to play their exclusives. Granted, to some this might not matter as much, especially those who just buy one or two games a year like COD and Madden…..
recore is quite good xbox exclusive.. very underrated
@Arcnail for me Playstation exclusives are on another level. They’re more than just good games, the story, the acting, the immersion, the emotion, they really are incredible!! I own an love both the PS5 an XSX but like i said, PS exclusives are mind blowing. Like AAA Netflix series where you control an make decisions for the lead character.
@S1ayeR74 you were saying bout GoW Ragnarok??? 😆😆😆
@rhyno_888 I agree. Recore was definitely solid and underrated. For me, it was one of those memorable 7/10 tier games that built a foundation to what could’ve been a good franchise… if, y’know, it wasn’t more popular to bash Inafune than buy the game. At the risk of speaking heresy by most Xbox gamer standards, I’d personally take Recore over Gears any day.
Ouch, that hurts. Why remind us how limited they are? There's only a few worth playing to top it off.
For Fable 2, you write "the fictional land of Albion".
Albion is an antiquated name for Britain.
Thanks for all the recommendations!
Yikes... not a very compelling round-up
@Skedaddle Yep, some good shouts and we'll keep adding to this in the future. Rogue Legacy 2 isn't actually exclusive anymore - it's on Switch as of last week!
lost odyssey & blue dragon should have been put here
those two games are very underrated
Added a few more games to the list based on some recent releases. Keep your suggestions coming and we'll continue revising this throughout the year!
@FraserG Any chance of adding Recore?
@xanderten50 Never quite understood people's fascination with ReCore. Yes it had a great premise and started brilliantly, but it ran out of ideas very quickly and stayed on long after the gameplay mechanics were tired. One of the few games I really had to convince myself to finish.
A Metacritic of 63 on Xbox and 58 on PC doesn't suggest a classic even if you liked it.
@themightyant For the most part that's all true - I still need to go back and finish it myself! But with it being one of the few Xbox one exclusives, I thought it deserved a mention at least!
@xanderten50 Perhaps. But this is a list of the "Best Xbox exclusives" not "All Xbox exclusives" personally I think there is no need to include the more average games else this list will get very long and unmanageable.
Though i'd love a Recore sequel. There was enough in the idea that with a bit more work, care and attention it could be something great.
@themightyant that's possibly a little harsh - and by that logic you could already prune a few titles off (like State of Decay for starters), I just think it deserves a mention - especially since the definitive edition fixed several of the complaints from the launch version.
@xanderten50 Perhaps. Though personally I WOULD remove games like State of Decay 2 and High on Life off the list (games that reviewed in the 60s) as it just makes the "best of" list look worse. Quality over quantity.
I'd just have them listed as honourable niche mentions. i.e. "you might enjoy these". But I can understand others might have different views and we all like different things.
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