Most anticipated Xbox games coming next

If you own an Xbox Series X or Series S, the next few years look unusually stacked. Between the Xbox Game Studios first-party slate and a parade of blockbuster multiplatform releases, the pipeline includes long-dormant franchises finally coming back, a couple of generation-defining sequels, and a steady stream of titles that should land in Xbox Game Pass. The catch — and the reason this roundup is worth reading carefully — is that almost none of these games has a firm, locked release date.

So this is a list, not a promise. For each game below you will find what it is, why people are excited, and an expected window that you should always double-check against official sources before planning anything. Where we have a full deep-dive on a game, its name links to that hub. Let's run through what's coming.

The most anticipated games on the Xbox horizon

These are ordered roughly by how much buzz they generate among Xbox players right now, blending first-party exclusives with the big multiplatform titles Series owners are most eager to play. Treat the ranking as a conversation-starter, not a verdict.

1. Fable

The reboot of Fable is the flagship of Xbox's whimsical, story-driven ambitions — a fresh take on the beloved British fantasy RPG, built by Playground Games (the Forza Horizon studio). Its blend of fairy-tale charm and open-world exploration makes it one of the most-watched first-party projects. As a Game Pass title it is expected to launch into the service on day one. Expected window: leaning toward the mid-2020s, but unconfirmed — verify on Xbox.

2. Perfect Dark

The Perfect Dark reboot revives Rare's classic spy-action series with a sleek near-future secret-agent thriller. It has had a famously long, bumpy development, but the promise of a stylish first-person espionage adventure keeps anticipation high. Expect it on Xbox and PC with Game Pass, though the timeline has been fluid — treat any window as tentative and confirm at the source.

3. The Elder Scrolls VI

Few games are as mythically awaited as The Elder Scrolls VI. Bethesda's return to its flagship fantasy RPG has been teased for years and remains in early development, which is exactly why patience is essential. It is widely expected to be an Xbox and PC title with day-one Game Pass. Expected window: no sooner than the latter part of the 2020s, and unconfirmed — do not trust any specific leaked date.

4. Fallout 5

Bethesda has acknowledged that Fallout 5 exists in its plans, riding a wave of renewed love for the post-apocalyptic series. Realistically it sits behind The Elder Scrolls VI in the studio's queue, so it is a long-term prospect rather than a near-term one. Like Bethesda's other output, a day-one Game Pass launch is the reasonable expectation. Expected window: distant and entirely unconfirmed — file it under "someday."

5. GTA 6

GTA 6 is arguably the most anticipated game on the planet, full stop. Rockstar's next open-world crime epic is not an Xbox exclusive, but it is a top priority for Series X|S owners. Do not expect it on Game Pass given its publisher. Expected window: targeted for the mid-2020s in Rockstar's own messaging, but release timing for games this large frequently moves — always verify on the official Rockstar channels.

6. The Witcher 4

CD Projekt Red's The Witcher 4 (codename Polaris) begins a brand-new saga on Unreal Engine 5. It is multiplatform, so Xbox players are firmly in the audience for this next-generation RPG. Game Pass is not assumed for a third-party title like this. Expected window: realistically the latter half of the 2020s, and unconfirmed — see our full hub and the official Witcher site.

7. Marvel's Wolverine

Insomniac's Marvel's Wolverine is one of the standout action games on the way, promising a gritty, mature take on the clawed mutant. It is most associated with PlayStation, so Xbox availability is not something to assume — we mention it because it shapes the wider "what to play next" conversation. Expected window: unconfirmed; check the official PlayStation channels for platform and date.

8. 007 First Light

IO Interactive, the Hitman studio, is crafting an original James Bond origin story in 007 First Light. A fresh, stealth-and-spycraft 007 from a developer that knows the genre cold is a genuinely exciting prospect for Xbox and beyond. Expected window: targeted but unconfirmed — verify on IO Interactive's official site.

9. Judas

From BioShock creator Ken Levine, Judas is a narrative-driven first-person shooter set aboard a doomed starship, built around systemic, reactive storytelling. The pedigree alone earns it a spot on this list. It is expected to be multiplatform, including Xbox. Expected window: unannounced — treat any timing as speculative.

10. Crimson Desert

Crimson Desert is Pearl Abyss's sprawling action-adventure epic, packed with dramatic boss fights and a cinematic open world. It has shown strongly at events and is heading to Xbox among other platforms. Expected window: nearing release per the studio's own signals, but unconfirmed — confirm before pre-ordering.

11. Splinter Cell Remake

Ubisoft is rebuilding the original stealth classic as the Splinter Cell Remake, bringing Sam Fisher's shadow-and-light infiltration to modern hardware. For fans of methodical stealth, this is a dream revival. Expected to be multiplatform including Xbox. Expected window: in development with no firm date — unconfirmed.

12. Hollow Knight: Silksong

The most-requested indie on this list, Hollow Knight: Silksong is Team Cherry's gorgeous, demanding metroidvania sequel. It is confirmed for Xbox with Game Pass, making it an easy recommendation the moment it lands. Expected window: famously hard to pin down — verify on the official channels rather than trusting rumors.

Two more worth keeping on your radar: Naughty Dog's sci-fi adventure Intergalactic, Capcom's stylish Pragmata, the survival sequel Subnautica 2, and Nintendo's Metroid Prime 4 for fans tracking the whole landscape. Platforms vary widely on these, so check each game's page.

Quick-reference table

Here is the same line-up condensed, with platforms and the expected launch window for each. Every entry in the right-hand column is an estimate, not a confirmed date — verify on the official sites.

First-party vs multiplatform: what that means for you

It helps to keep two buckets in mind. First-party Xbox games — Fable, Perfect Dark, The Elder Scrolls VI, Fallout 5 — are published by Xbox Game Studios and are the titles most likely to hit Game Pass on day one. Microsoft's own approach has also been shifting toward releasing some of its games on additional platforms over time, so "Xbox exclusive" is a softer label than it used to be; check each game's confirmed platforms.

Multiplatform games — GTA 6, The Witcher 4, 007 First Light, Crimson Desert and the rest — are made by third-party studios and simply happen to be among the most anticipated games for Xbox owners. These are decided on a per-game basis for Game Pass, so do not assume they will be included. The honest position on all of it: dates and platforms are fluid, and the only authoritative word comes from the publishers themselves.

Trailers & video

Trailers and developer showcases are the best primary source for a game's tone and direction — far more reliable than any second-hand summary. Because release plans shift on the publishers' own schedules, the official Xbox channel below is the place to watch first; anything labelled "leaked gameplay" elsewhere deserves heavy scepticism.

We deliberately link to the official search and channel rather than embedding a guessed video — that way nothing breaks if a clip is updated, and you always land on genuine, current media.

Where to follow these games

Official trailers, screenshots, platform lists and confirmed dates live on the platform holders' own stores and sites. We deliberately do not host or embed copyrighted imagery here — the links below take you straight to the genuine, current sources for each ecosystem.

How to read release windows without getting burned

One habit will save you a lot of disappointment: treat every date as provisional until it appears on an official channel. Big games slip — it is the norm, not the exception — and rumored "leaked release dates" spread far faster than the corrections that follow. Before you pre-order or rearrange a weekend, open the publisher's site or xbox.com and confirm the current date and platforms yourself. If it is not on an official source, file it under "interesting if true."

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