Microsoft's Xbox Series X console launched in November of 2020, and so it only had a couple of months to build its library of games. Unfortunately for Xbox, the Series X's flagship launch title, Halo Infinite, was delayed to 2021, seriously hurting the console's early lineup. Even so, there were still plenty of well-reviewed games available for the Xbox Series X at launch, with more titles added in December as well.
Review aggregate website Metacritic has compiled a list of the 10 highest rated Xbox Series X games of 2020. Unfortunately, there wasn't a single Xbox Series X game that managed to break a 90 average critic rating. However, when one takes the Xbox Series X's backward compatibility with Xbox One into account, it's clear that Microsoft's next-generation console still offers some incredible value. After all, the 10 highest rated Xbox One games of 2020 are all playable on the new console.
The top-rated Xbox Series X game of 2020 was the launch title Tetris Effect: Connected, which earned an 88 rating. Tetris Effect: Connected is a re-release of the acclaimed puzzle game Tetris Effect, which combines classic Tetris gameplay with trippy visuals and bright lights. Tetris Effect: Connected has a bigger multiplayer focus than the original game, and it's also available to play through Game Pass, making it one of the more popular Series X launch titles.
Here are the 10 highest rated Xbox Series X games of 2020, according to Metacritic:
- Tetris Effect: Connected - 88
- Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition - 84
- Planet Coaster: Console Edition - 84
- Assassin's Creed Valhalla - 84
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon - 83
- Gears Tactics - 82
- Dirt 5 - 81
- Immortals Fenyx Rising - 80
- NBA 2K21 - 80
- Observer: System Redux - 78
With Halo Infinite delayed to 2021, the Xbox Series X didn't have much to work with in terms of next-gen exclusives. In fact, pretty much every game on the list is available on the Xbox One as well. The Xbox Series X does have the next-gen version of Yakuza: Like a Dragon locked down as a timed-exclusive though, with PlayStation 5 owners having to wait a little later in 2021 to get their hands on the game.
The turn-based strategy game Gears Tactics made its console debut during the Xbox Series X launch, so it was also a significant game for the launch lineup. However, it too is available on Xbox One, with the Xbox Series X having virtually no true console exclusives available for it just yet.
That will change later this month, though, as Bloober Team's The Medium is set to launch for Xbox Series X as a console exclusive. With that game on the way as well as Halo Infinite later this year, it seems quite likely that the Xbox Series X will have a much better 2021.