Ultimate Guide to the Most Impactful Xbox Exclusives

Forza Horizon 5 (Xbox Series X|S)

One of the most visually stunning games currently available on any platform, which also happens to be nearly as perfect as arcade racing games can get? Yes, that would be Forza Horizon 5.

Playground Games’ latest installment may not do anything particularly novel for the franchise, but it certainly doesn’t need to, as this open-world racer presents superb gameplay mechanics refined to absolute perfection within the best environment the series has ever delivered. An endless variety of incredibly flashy sports cars, a multitude of events, seamless online performance, and an overwhelming abundance of bells, whistles, and unlockables make every moment you spend with this game feel like some sort of wild, vehicle-based sugar rush. Forza Horizon 5 is as close to arcade racing perfection as it gets in the year 2025.

• Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Please note that some external links on this site are affiliate links, meaning that if you click on them and make a purchase, we may earn a small percentage from the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (Xbox Series X|S)

Microsoft Flight Simulator offers an extraordinary experience, a truly breathtaking game that allows you to hop into one of its beautifully recreated aircraft and take to the skies to explore the globe – yes, the entire planet – with an almost unbelievable level of detail. Among all the Xbox exclusives in this list, we genuinely believe Flight Sim stands out as a unique title that it’s hard to believe made its way onto consoles in the first place!

This title is an Xbox Series exclusive for obvious reasons (although it does work through the cloud on Xbox One), and it may take some time to get accustomed to the various controls, but once it all clicks into place, there’s nothing else like it. We’ve dedicated hours to discovering and exploring the 2020 version, and still feel the same rush of excitement whenever we go through our pre-flight checks and take off for another journey in the recently released 2024 version.

While Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 faced a rather rocky launch, once all the engines are running smoothly, it’s a game that significantly outperforms its predecessor in terms of its career mode alone. That said, you can always revisit and play 2020 as well – you really can’t go wrong with either of them!

• Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Rare Replay (Xbox One)

Originally launched in 2015 to celebrate Rare’s 30th anniversary, Rare Replay is an engaging compilation that showcases the developer’s work across multiple genres and console generations. From the ZX Spectrum up to the Xbox 360, there’s a treasure trove to investigate here, enhanced with behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, snapshot and rewind features, built-in cheats, and much more.

There’s so much to explore here, and GoldenEye 007 recently joined the lineup as well! Featuring titles like Sabre Wulf, R.C. Pro-Am 2, Blast Corps, Battletoads, two Perfect Dark titles, Jet Force Gemini, Killer Instinct, Banjo Kazooie and a whole lot more, this is a captivating history lesson and a bundle of fun all rolled into one.

• Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Forza Motorsport (Xbox Series X|S)

The Forza series offers something for everyone! While Forza Horizon is centered on exploring vast open world maps and racing in more arcade-style scenarios, Forza Motorsport focuses on…
“`about mimicking the intense simulation elements of the sport. Like prior entries in the series, this is precisely what the reboot intends to accomplish.

Before launching Forza Motorsport 8, the team at Turn 10 decided to revitalize the franchise with its debut on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, indicating we can expect several more years of exciting content for the new Forza Motorsport in the future. If this captures your interest, it is definitely something to add to your download list.

• Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II (Xbox Series X|S)

The follow-up to 2017’s Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice was highly anticipated not only because the original was so impressive, but also because it was the title Xbox chose to showcase alongside the unveiling of the Series X in 2019.

Sadly, it took a lengthy five years for Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 to arrive on Xbox (and PC), but the final result was a stunning experience that delivered some of the best visuals and audio ever seen on the Series X. While we didn’t love the gameplay as much, it remains a unique Xbox title worth checking out.

• Xbox Game Pass: Yes

Halo Wars 2 (Xbox One)

2017’s Halo Wars 2 is an outstanding RTS experience in the Halo universe and still leaves us wanting for a sequel nearly seven years later. Creative Assembly collaborated with 343 to create an exceptional console-tailored RTS experience here, and the game’s enhancements on Xbox One X ensure it still looks and plays wonderfully on Xbox Series X in 2024.

Halo Wars 2 allows you to command entire armies of Marines, Warthogs, Scorpion tanks, and Spartans in battle, and its storyline fits neatly within the overall Halo narrative as well. We’d love to see more of this kind of approach applied to other Xbox franchises, and years later, we still cherish our time with each Halo Wars spinoff. HW2 certainly deserves a place on this list!

• Xbox Game Pass? Yes

Aaero 2 (Xbox Series X|S)

On the lookout for something a bit different? Aaero 2 is currently an Xbox exclusive as of this writing (it is also available on PC), and it stands out as one of the best rhythm games we have played. The original was once part of Xbox Games with Gold, and it was a delightful surprise when it was released, but the sequel exceeds it in every way.

Think of it as a blend of Rez HD and Rock Band, featuring an energetic drum ‘n’ bass soundtrack. It involves you …