Xbox One suffered from a lack of must-have exclusive titles, something that Microsoft aims to rectify with the newly released Xbox Series X, which features a Solid State drive, HD Blu-ray player, and the latest in CPU and GPU technology.
At the same time, Microsoft is pushing their Netflix-like subscription gaming service, Xbox Game Pass. For $9.99 – $14.99 a month you get access to over 100 games – a killer deal if you (or your family) go through a lot of games.
Xbox Game Pass is especially attractive if you’re looking at the Xbox Series S ($299), the cheaper, disc-less version of the Series X. At only $299, the Series S is the cheapest new console on the market, without sacrificing much power. But you’re definitely going to want to include a subscription to Xbox Game Pass to get the most out of it.
With the highly anticipated Halo: Infinite delayed until next year, the biggest Xbox Series X games this year are Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, Cyberpunk 2077, and Watch Dogs: Legion.
Younger Kids (Under 10)
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time
For fans of: Skylanders, 3D platformers
The first new Crash Bandicoot platformer in over a decade was developed by Toys for Bob, best known for the Skylanders series. The developer has a proven record on creating enjoyable 3D platformers with engaging level designs. It’s About Time includes five playable characters, and a Modern mode that replaces limited lives with a death counter. To catch up the Crash series, the N. Sane Trilogy features remasters of the first three games, available on PC, Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
Also available on: PlayStation
Streets of Rage 4
For fans of: Retro games, Beat ’em up, Sick beats
A modern sequel to a 90’s side-scrolling Beat ‘Em Up series may not seem like a winning formula for a kids game. Streets of Rage 4 features simple yet engaging controls as you punch and kick your way through a variety of brightly colored enemies. The action-packed, character-drive story resembles a Saturday Morning Cartoon, and the head-bopping soundtrack is one of the best you’ll hear all year. What makes Streets of Rage 4 a great family game for kids is the local co-op, proving that an old-school genre still has much to give us.
Also available on: PC (Steam), Switch, PlayStation
Ooblets
For fans of: Pokémon, Stardew Valley, Cuteness overload
Ooblets is an adorable mash-up of Pokémon’s creature collecting with Stardew Valley (or any farm sim) crafting, farming, and town interaction. In addition to gathering resources and harvesting crops, the world is filled with little helpers called Ooblets. Instead of battling, these creatures compete in dance-off competitions via a card game, making Ooblets a big win for those who love the cuter things in life.
Note: Ooblets is currently in Early Access active development.
Also available on: PC
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
For fans of: Beautiful animation, Challenging 2D gameplay
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is the sequel to 2015’s Ori and the Blind Forest, and continues the challenging but excellent platforming with the enchanting world and stirring orchestral music. The tenacious forest spirit Ori sets out on another grand adventure through a realm of monsters, and manages to tug on your heart-strings despite very little dialogue.
Also available on: PC
Minecraft Dungeons
For fans of: Minecraft, Hack and slash, dungeon crawls
Minecraft Dungeons is a dungeon crawling spin-off of the most popular game on the planet (sorry, Fortnite). Whereas Minecraft is all about building and crafting your world, Minecraft Dungeons is about adventuring through a linear campaign, battling enemies and earning loot. Dungeons are procedurally generated, and up to four players locally and online can adventure together.
Also available on: PC (Steam), Switch, PlayStation
Unrailed
For fans of: Trains, Overcooked, local co-op
If you’ve enjoyed previous local co-op games like Overcooked, you owe it to you and your co-op partner(s) to check out Unrailed. In Unrailed you’re tasked with keeping your mostly unstoppable train from derailing by harvesting nearby trees and stone, converting them to tracks, and laying tracks through the randomly generated land. It’s a simple yet joyful cooperative experience that gets progressively more challenging the longer you can keep your train going.
Also available on: PC, Switch, PlayStation
Older Kids & Teens (10-16)
Grounded
For fans of: Survival-crafting, A Bug’s Life, Honey I Shrunk the Kids
Grounded puts a fun twist on the survival-crafting genre: you’re the size of an ant, and must survive the harsh world of a backyard filled with insects. Up to four players can join forces to craft weapons, expand shelters, hunt for supplies, and avoid becoming the bottom of the food chain.
Note: Grounded is currently in Early Access active development.
Also available on: PC
Immortals Fenyx Rising
For fans of: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Greek Mythology
Once known as Gods & Monsters, Immortals Fenyx Rising (releasing Dec. 3) is Ubsioft’s answer to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Copying amazing games is rarely a bad move, and unlike Link, Fenyx is fully customizable, including gender. The open world of the Golden Isles is based on Greek Mythology as Fenyx battles minotaurs and cyclopses and gains weapons and powers of the gods, like the wings of Daedalus and the spears of Ares.
Also available on: PC, Stadia, PlayStation
Journey to the Savage Planet
For fans of: The Outer Worlds, First-person exploration, Metroid
Don’t let the aggressive name and quiet launch fool you, Journey to the Savage Planet is one of the hidden gems of 2020. The first-person game is technically a shooter, but it’s more about exploring an alien planet, scanning creatures and plants, finding upgrades, and unlocking new tools. It’s a modern Metroid Prime with a much cheerier world wrapped in corporate satire that should delight fans of Fallout and The Outer Worlds. Best of all – it supports two player online co-op.
Also available on: PC, Switch, PlayStation
Star Wars: Squadrons
For Fans of: Star Wars, Flight simulators, Team vs team multiplayer
Star Wars Squadrons does one thing, but does it very well: space combat. Climb into the cockpit of an X-Wing, TIE Fighter, and other iconic spaceships from the Star Wars universe. Squadrons is designed for 5v5 multiplayer matches, but also features a single-player campaign that alternates between the Empire and the Rebellion, bridging the gap between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens.
Also available on: PC, PlayStation
Older Teens & Adults (17+)
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
For fans of: Huge open worlds, Vikings, Medieval history
The Assassins’ Creed series has spanned multiple gaming generations, and it’s never been better. Valhalla continues the expanded RPG gameplay from Origins and Odyssey, shunting us forward into ninth century England. Viking raider Eivor (who can be male or female) must lead their people to a better future across a brutal war, while navigating the secretive conflict between the Assassins and the Templar.
Also available on: PC, Stadia, PlayStation
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
For fans of: Shooters, Reaganomics
Call of Duty is a consistently solid shooter series, with Cold War putting players in the 1980s. Competitive multiplayer and cooperative zombies mode are still excellent, but it’s the epic single-player globe-trotting (and mind-warping) campaign that highlights Cold War as a memorable entry.
Also available on: PC, PlayStation
Cyberpunk 2077
For fans of: Cyberpunk, Deus Ex, Grand Theft Auto
One of the biggest releases of the year has been delayed so many times it’s become a joke among gamers (release date: Dec. 10). What’s not a joke is the pedigree: CD Projekt Red (The Witcher 3) are experts at crafting gigantic yet story-driven RPGs. With Cyberpunk 2077 we’re trading in our horse and swords for sportscars and blade implants as our customizable hacker-mercenary explores the mean streets of Night City, based on the original Cyberpunk tabletop RPG.
Also available on: PC, Stadia, PlayStation
Desperados 3
For fans of: Westerns, Stealth, Tactical Strategy
There aren’t many western games, and most tend to be first-person shooters. The Desperados series is all about stealth and tactics, however, as you guide a small party of outlaws through a series of challenging heists and missions. The third game acts as a prequel, so no prior series knowledge is needed, just a love of stealthy takedowns and underhanded tactics – using loud guns only as a last resort.
Also available on: PC (Win, Mac, Linux), PlayStation
Watch Dogs: Legion
For fans of: Urban adventure, Hacking, Human resources
The third game in the near future hacker series Watch Dogs eliminates any pretense of a central protagonist. Instead, players can recruit from a roster that includes literally anyone they meet in London, from tech-savvy drone experts to sneaky grandmas. You’ll need a wide variety of skill sets to help DedSec fight criminals, oppressive government forces, and a rival hacker group.
Also available on: PC, Stadia, PlayStation
