Microsoft has finally revealed its launch lineup for the Xbox Series X/S and it includes thirty different video games. The lineup is a mix of upgraded versions of games that released on the current generation of consoles as well as brand new titles. This is a larger amount of launch titles than the Xbox One had upon release.

While Sony has always boasted a larger amount of console exclusive titles, Microsoft already has many advantages over its competitor other than the number of launch titles. For one it seems as though Microsoft is almost entirely avoiding the preordering problems that the PlayStation 5 has been plagued with. The two companies have also been locked in a struggle concerning the concept of backwards compatible games. Microsoft is obviously going to be the winner of that fight as well considering users will have access to four generations worth of games due to the Xbox Series X/S backwards compatibility.

Another point seems like it will go to Microsoft as well with the number of games available at launch. According to the official Xbox website, there are thirty different games that will be available on the system including Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Yakuza: Like A Dragon, and Watch Dogs: Legion. There will also be a slew of older games available like Grounded, Gears 5, and Forza Horizon 4 through Xbox Games Pass. On top of all of this though players will also have access to thousands of older Xbox titles due to backwards compatibility. A complete list can be found below:

  • Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (Smart Delivery)
  • Borderlands 3 (Smart Delivery)
  • Bright Memory 1.0
  • Cuisine Royale (Smart Delivery)
  • Dead by Daylight (Xbox Game Pass + Smart Delivery)
  • Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition
  • DIRT 5 (Smart Delivery)
  • Enlisted
  • Evergate
  • The Falconeer (Smart Delivery)
  • Fortnite
  • Forza Horizon 4 (Xbox Game Pass + Smart Delivery)
  • Gears 5 (Xbox Game Pass + Smart Delivery)
  • Gears Tactics (Xbox Game Pass + Smart Delivery)
  • Grounded (Xbox Game Pass + Smart Delivery)
  • King Oddball (Smart Delivery)
  • Maneater (Smart Delivery)
  • Manifold Garden (Smart Delivery)
  • NBA 2K21
  • Observer: System Redux
  • Ori and the Will of the Wisps (Xbox Game Pass + Smart Delivery)
  • Planet Coaster (Smart Delivery)
  • Sea of Thieves (Xbox Game Pass + Smart Delivery)
  • Tetris Effect: Connected (Xbox Game Pass + Smart Delivery)
  • The Touryst (Xbox Game Pass + Smart Delivery)
  • War Thunder (Smart Delivery)
  • Warhammer: Chaosbane Slayer Edition
  • Watch Dogs: Legion (Smart Delivery)
  • WRC 9 FIA World Rally Championship (Smart Delivery)
  • Yakuza: Like a Dragon (Smart Delivery)
  • Yes, Your Grace (Smart Delivery)




This all isn't to say that there haven't been criticisms lobbed at Microsoft over the Xbox Series X/S. One of the biggest complaints about the two new consoles is the naming similarities between them and the Xbox One X. Many feel that this is going to cause unwanted confusion during the holidays as people purchase the incorrect console. Additionally, the new Xbox consoles may be relatively quiet when running, but those who have managed to get their hands on the Xbox Series X early have reported that the console has a severe overheating problem.

At the end of the day, it is still too early to tell how the Xbox Series X/S and the PlayStation 5 will fare against each other during the holiday season. With Microsoft's focus on backwards compatibility and the fact that there will be so many games available at launch, it may have just gained a large advantage over Sony going forward. Only time will tell how things turn out going forward.