Xbox Series X, Series S Optimized games list (4K, 120 FPS, Ray Tracing)

Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S (Image credit: Matt Brown | Windows Central)

Xbox Series X

Source: Matt Brown | Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Matt Brown | Windows Central)

The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S define Microsoft's next-generation vision, promising major graphical upgrades across your games, now clearer, smoother, and faster than ever before. The two consoles pack a ton of cutting-edge technology to enable those gains, with the latest CPU and GPU architectures from AMD, and lightning-fast solid-state storage.

While Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S play existing Xbox One titles via backward compatibility, most upcoming games (and select upgraded titles) perform best on next-gen hardware. Assigned the "Optimized for Xbox Series X|S" badge, these titles draw the best from their respective systems. While still early days, we've assembled a list of every confirmed Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S game, including resolutions, framerates, and other new features.

What is Optimized for Xbox Series X|S?

Microsoft's next Xbox flagship introduces a sizeable leap in horsepower, while its low-cost counterpart proves ideal for budget-conscious and casual players. While the new generation facilitates countless titles once impossible before Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, the consoles also play thousands of existing Xbox One games out of the box. The "Optimized for Series X|S" label clearly denotes titles designed for next-generation systems, whether built from the ground up or retroactively updated with enhanced visuals.

Optimized for Series X|S is the broad term for next-generation titles, with many embracing each console's signature features. Those can include boosted resolution, upgraded framerates up to 120 frames-per-second (FPS), or high dynamic range (HDR) for popping colors. Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S also pack ray tracing support for advanced lighting and reflections, enabled across some cutting-edge titles.

The final component is Xbox Smart Delivery, which ensures your Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S automatically pulls the best available version of your game. To ease the transition from Xbox One, supported titles provide free visual upgrades without needing to buy them twice. While not mandatory on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, it's a consumer-friendly initiative for some cross-generation releases.

In short, Optimized for Series X|S represents the best of the new consoles. Titles sporting this badge feature Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S upgrades, bringing out the most value from your new Xbox.

List of Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S games

With next-generation hardware soon on store shelves, a growing number of titles have committed to upgrades. But not all upgrades will be available on November 10. We've rounded up all the games with Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S patches scheduled for launch day, including their performance targets and features for each console. This list will regularly update as new optimizations go live.

Xbox Series X, Series S Optimized Games at launch

Swipe to scroll horizontally
GameResolutionHDRFPSRay TracingSmart Delivery
Ailment & Endurance Bundle----Yes
Anodyne 2----Yes
Another Dawn----Yes
ARK: Survival Evolved4K on Xbox Series X, 1080p on Xbox Series SHDR60 FPSNoYes
Assassin's Creed Valhalla4K on Xbox Series X, 1440p on Xbox Series SHDR60 FPS on Xbox Series X, 30 FPS on Xbox Series SNoYes
Blacksmith of the Sand Kingdom-----
Borderlands 34K on Xbox Series X, 1440p on Xbox Series SHDR60 FPSNoYes
Bright Memory 1.04K on Xbox Series X, 1440p on Xbox Series SNo60 FPSNoN/A
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War4K on Xbox Series X, 1080p on Xbox Series SHDR60 FPS - 120 FPS on Xbox Series X, 60 FPS on Xbox Series SYesNo
Call of Duty: Warzone4K on Xbox Series X, 1080p on Xbox Series SHDR120 FPS on Xbox Series X, 60 FPS on Xbox Series SNoNo
Cuisine Royale4K on Xbox Series X, 1440p on Xbox Series SNo60 FPSYesYes
Dead by Daylight4K on Xbox Series X, 1080p on Xbox Series SNo60 FPSNoYes
Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition1080p - 4K on Xbox Series X, 1080p on Xbox Series SHDR30 FPS - 120 FPS on Xbox Series X, 30 FPS - 60 FPS on Xbox Series SYes (On Series X)No
DiRT 54K on Xbox Series X, 1440p on Xbox Series SHDR60 FPS - 120 FPS-Yes
Enlisted4K on Xbox Series X, 1440p on Xbox Series S-60 FPSYesN/A
Evergate4K on Xbox Series X-60 FPSNo-
The Falconeer1800p - 4K on Xbox Series X, 1080p - 1800p on Xbox Series SHDR60FPS - 120FPSNoYes
Fortnite4K on Xbox Series X, 1080p on Xbox Series SHDR60 FPSNoYes
Forza Horizon 44K on Xbox Series X, 1080p on Xbox Series SHDR60 FPSNoYes
Gears Tactics4K on Xbox Series X, 1440p on Xbox Series SHDR60 FPSNoYes
Gears 54K on Xbox Series X, 1080p on Xbox Series SHDR60 FPS - 120 FPSYesYes
Grounded4K on Xbox Series X, 1080p on Xbox Series SHDR60 FPSNoYes
King Oddball4K on Xbox Series XNo120 FPSNoYes
Maneater4K on Xbox Series X-60 FPSNo (Coming Soon)Yes
Manifold Garden4K on Xbox Series XNo60 FPSNoYes
NBA 2K214K on Xbox Series XHDR-YesNo
Observer: System Redux4K on Xbox Series XHDR60 FPSYesNo
Ori and the Will of the Wisps4K - 6K supersampled on Xbox Series X, 1080p - 4K on Xbox Series SHDR60 - 120 FPSNoYes
Planet Coaster4K on Xbox Series XHDR-NoYes
Sea of Thieves4K on Xbox Series X, 1080p on Xbox Series SHDR60 FPSNoYes
Tetris Effect: Connected4K on Xbox Series XHDR60 FPSNoYes
The Touryst4K on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series SNo120 FPSNoYes
War Thunder4K on Xbox Series X, 1440p on Xbox Series S-60 FPSYesYes
Warhammer Chaosbane: Slayer Edition4K on Xbox Series X----
Watch Dogs Legion4K on Xbox Series X, 1080p on Xbox Series SHDR30 FPSYesYes
WRC 9 FIA World Rally Championship4K on Xbox Series X---Yes
Yakuza: Like a Dragon1440p - 4K on Xbox Series X, 900p - 1440p on Xbox Series SNo30 FPS - 60 FPSNoYes
Yes, Your Grace--60 FPSNoYes

But with Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S serving an entirely new hardware generation, all the top upcoming releases have eyes set on optimizations, too. We've also rounded up all the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S still to come, including the performance targets and known features so far.

Xbox Series X, Series S Optimized Games coming soon

Swipe to scroll horizontally
GameResolutionHDRFPSRay TracingSmart Delivery
12 Minutes-----
Apex Legends----N/A
As Dusk Falls4K on Xbox Series XHDR60 FPS--
Avowed----N/A
Balan Wonderworld4K on Xbox Series XHDR60 FPS-Yes
Bridge Constructor: The Walking Dead-----
Bright Memory: Infinite4K on Xbox Series X-60 FPSYesYes
Call of the Sea4K on Xbox Series XHDR60 FPSYesYes
Chivalry 2----Yes
Chorus: Rise as One4K on Xbox Series XHDR60 FPSYesYes
Concept Destruction4K on Xbox Series X-60 FPS-Yes
Control4K on Xbox Series X---No — Upgrade via Ultimate Edition
Cris Tales4K on Xbox Series X----
CrossCode4K on Xbox Series X-120 FPSNoYes
CrossfireX4K on Xbox Series X---Yes
Cyberpunk 20774K on Xbox Series XHDR--Yes
CYGNI: All Guns Blazing-----
Dead Island 2-----
Dead Static Drive-----
Demon Turf-----
Destiny 24K on Xbox Series X, 1080p on Xbox Series SHDR60 FPSNoYes
Dustborn-----
Dying Light 2-----
Echo Generation4K on Xbox Series XHDR60 FPS-Yes
Everwild----N/A
ExoMecha4K on Xbox Series X-120 FPS-Yes
Exo One-----
Fable----N/A
Far Cry 64K on Xbox Series XHDR60 FPS-Yes
FIFA 214K on Xbox Series XHDR-NoNo — Limited Time Upgrade via EA
Football Manager 2021 Xbox Edition----Yes
Forza Motorsport4K on Xbox Series XHDR60 FPSYesN/A
For Honor4K on Xbox Series X, 1080p on Xbox Series SHDR60 FPSNo-
Flea Madness-----
Ghostrunner----Yes
GONNER24K on Xbox Series XNo60 FPSNoYes
Gothic-----
Grand Theft Auto V-----
Halo Infinite4K on Xbox Series XHDR120 FPSYesYes
Halo: The Master Chief CollectionDynamic 4K on Xbox Series X, 1080p on Xbox Series SHDR120 FPSNoYes
Hello Neighbor 24K on Xbox Series X---Yes
HITMAN 34K on Xbox Series XHDR--Yes
Hood: Outlaws and Legends-----
Hyper Scape-----
Immortals Fenyx Rising4K on Xbox Series XHDR60 FPSNoYes
Just Dance 2021----Yes
JYDGE4K on Xbox Series X-120 FPSNoYes
Lake-----
Last Stop-----
Madden NFL 214K on Xbox Series XHDR--No — Limited Time Upgrade via EA
Mad Streets-----
Marvel's Avengers4K on Xbox Series XHDR--Yes
Metal: Hellsinger4K on Xbox Series X-120 FPS-Yes
MicroMan-----
Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom4K on Xbox Series X-120 FPS--
Mortal Kombat 11----Yes
Mørkredd-----
No Man's Sky4K on Xbox Series X-60 FPS on Xbox Series X, 30 FPS - 60 FPS on Xbox Series S-Yes
Nth^0: Infinity Reborn-----
Orphan of the Machine4K on Xbox Series X-120 FPS--
Outriders4K on Xbox Series XHDR--Yes
Overcooked! All You Can Eat4K on Xbox Series XNo60 FPS--
Overwatch 2-----
Paradise Lost-----
Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis----Yes
Poker Club4K on Xbox Series XHDR60 FPSYesYes
Pragmata----No
Psychonauts 2----Yes
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2--60 FPS-Yes
Recompile-----
Resident Evil Village----N/A
RIDE 44K on Xbox Series XHDR-YesYes
Riders Republic4K on Xbox Series XHDR60 FPSNoYes
Rogue Company4K on Xbox Series X, 1440p on Xbox Series S-120 FPS-Yes
Roots of Pacha-----
Samurai Shodown-----
Scarlet Nexus4K on Xbox Series XNo--Yes
Scorn4K on Xbox Series XNo60 FPS-N/A
Second Extinction-No120 FPS-Yes
Senua's Saga: Hellblade II----N/A
Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One-----
Shredders-----
Song of Iron4K on Xbox Series X-60 FPS--
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 24K on Xbox Series X-60 FPSYesN/A
State of Decay 3----N/A
Starfield-----
Star Wars: SquadronsDynamic 4K on Xbox Series X, Dynamic 1440p on Xbox Series SHDR60FPS - 120FPS on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series SNoNo
The Artful Escape-----
The Ascent4K on Xbox Series XHDR60 FPS-Yes
The Big Con-----
The Elder Scrolls VI-----
The Gunk--60 FPS-Yes
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum-----
The Medium4K on Xbox Series XHDR30 FPSYesN/A
The Outer Worlds4K on Xbox Series X---Yes
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Quarantine-----
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege4K on Xbox Series XNoYesNoYes
Tunic-----
Ultimate Fishing Simulator 2-----
Undead Horde4K on Xbox Series X-120 FPSNoYes
Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer's Legacy-----
Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2----Yes
Warframe-----
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide4K on Xbox Series XHDR60 FPS-N/A
Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood-----
World of Tanks4K on Xbox Series XHDR--Yes
World of Warships: Legends4K on Xbox Series XHDR--Yes

Expect new Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S Optimized titles in the lead-up to (and beyond) the console launch, currently scheduled for later in 2020. Let us know which existing or upcoming games you'd like to see upgraded for Xbox Series X in the comments section below.

What is 4K resolution for Xbox Series X?

Gears 5

Source: Microsoft (Image credit: Source: Microsoft)

Many Xbox Series X Optimized games support 4K, referring to the output resolution, or the number of pixels shown on-screen. The 4K output of Xbox Series X results in 8.2 million pixels, arranged in a 3840 x 2160 arrangement, bringing improved clarity over much of the Xbox One family. While the Xbox One X supports 4K gaming, the Xbox Series X treats 4K as a baseline and more consistently hits that target without visual trickery. The Xbox Series S does not target 4K gaming, commonly delivering 1080p and 1440p instead.

What is HDR for Xbox Series X?

High dynamic range (HDR) has seen a steady rise in gaming, with Microsoft first jumping aboard with Xbox One S and Xbox One X, with efforts extending to Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. The technique relates to how images are displayed on-screen, outputting higher contrast ratios and wider color gamuts across visuals. The result is striking vibrance, with darker blacks, blinding whites, and all the intertwined details. It's less taxing than many other enhancements but has a considerable impact on games' overall tone.

What's the difference between 60 FPS and 120 FPS?

The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S put a notable focus on higher framerates, enabled by upgrades to hardware. The number of frames displayed over a certain period directly relates to gameplay's fluidity, measured in frames-per-second (FPS), with higher framerates enabling smoother experiences. For example, while many Xbox One games run at 30 FPS, some push to 60 FPS in pursuit of fluid gameplay.

While the Xbox One supports 60 FPS and beyond, many games failed to push beyond 30 FPS due to hardware limitations. The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S alleviate several bottlenecks, with Microsoft suggesting 60 FPS will emerge as a more frequent baseline for the next generation. Many Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S titles also pursue 120 FPS, enabling previously impossible experiences, once reserved for PC.

What is ray tracing for Xbox Series X?

Bright Memory Infinite Xbox Series X

Source: PLAYISM (Image credit: Source: PLAYISM)

Interest and investment in ray tracing have risen, with Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PlayStation 5, and NVIDIA's GeForce RTX GPU lineup all tailored for support. This advanced rendering technology elevates video game lighting and better simulates how light interacts with virtual objects. It's the next advancement in lighting and reflections, with a profound impact on scenes' portrayal.

Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S deliver ray tracing through Microsoft's own DirectX Raytracing technology, coupled with internals specifically designed to support its debut. The best example comes with Watch Dogs: Legion for Xbox Series X, showcasing London in an all-new light.

Are Xbox Series X, Series S games free upgrades?

It depends. Xbox Series X|S Optimized denotes games designed with Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S in mind, enabling higher resolutions, improved framerates, and other upgrades previously impossible with the Xbox One family. If an Optimized game releases on Xbox One too, developers can choose to provide free cross-generation upgrades, making a move to the new console a little easier.

The main upgrade route involves Smart Delivery, Microsoft's standardized initiative for friction-free upgrades between consoles. Supported Xbox Smart Delivery titles automatically grant the best available version for your console, meaning that if you buy Halo Infinite on Xbox One, a better version awaits when you switch to Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S. That works for physical discs and digital downloads, with Cyberpunk 2077, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, and more among early adopters.

However, Smart Delivery isn't mandatory, and developers aren't obligated to provide a free upgrade. For example, when a developer puts additional time into developing visual enhancements, they're allowed to charge for their effects on Xbox Series consoles. For added confusion, publishers like Electronic Arts opted out of Smart Delivery with Madden NFL 21 and FIFA 21, while still providing a free upgrade via a more restrictive limited-time offer.

Xbox Series X/S

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Matt Brown

Matt Brown was formerly a Windows Central's Senior Editor, Xbox & PC, at Future. Following over seven years of professional consumer technology and gaming coverage, he’s focused on the world of Microsoft's gaming efforts. You can follow him on Twitter @mattjbrown.