Xbox One X launches worldwide today, giving Microsoft the hardware power bragging rights for the first time in this console generation. Whether this marks your first buy-in to Xbox One hardware or you're a die-hard early adopter, there are plenty of games you'll want to check out that make the most of Xbox One X's 4K visuals, HDR and higher frame-rates. Here's a look at some of the best 4K games to play on Xbox One X.
If you're looking to pick up a brand new 4K console, check out if we've found any Xbox One X Black Friday deals.
1. Forza Motorsport 7
Enhancements: 4K, HDR, 60fps
It’s no surprise that Microsoft used Turn 10’s racing sim as the poster child for Xbox One X in the run-up to launch—it looks phenomenal. That’s not to say it didn’t look great before, but on Xbox One X, this game will quite possibly define where we consider the benchmark to be.
Forza takes the business of driving cars very seriously, so you expect them to look the part. But this isn’t just about slavish attention to detail on the cars themselves, it’s everywhere, be it the tarmac detail, or the trackside stadia and scenery in general. In 4K HDR, the lighting and weather effects are stunning, and bring the whole thing to life.
2. Gears of War 4
Enhancements: 4K, HDR, increased detail at 30fps, or 60fps, Dolby Atmos
Alongside Forza 7, the most recent Gears is arguably Microsoft’s biggest showpiece exclusive when it comes to showing off what its latest console can do. Right from the front end, the game does its best to impress: the incredible detail level afforded to the faces is beyond anything ever seen, and the in-game performance is just as strong. Environments and character models are crazily detailed, and it revitalizes the game in every sense.
In case you need further convincing, the game even allows you to toggle between HDR and non-HDR via side-by-side comparison, so you can get a real sense of what the difference is.
3. Quantum Break
Enhancements: 1440p upscaled to 4K
Remedy’s time-bending third-person shooter got a warm reception when it launched in spring 2016, but it stopped just short of system-selling greatness. With its 4K update applied, it feels like an entirely new game, and unlocks the visual potential that the original version could never quite pull off.
The already-impressive environments look consistently more beautiful, while the added detail (and removal of the graininess) brings a much-needed layer of conviction to the motion capture—particularly in the faces, where performances from the likes of Aiden Gillen and Lance Riddick look and feel closer to the intent to bring TV-standard acting to gaming. The smoother frame rate, too, helps make the action element more compelling.
Like a lot of the games listed here, this makes it feel like the finished article and therefore the definitive version.
4. Halo 5: Guardians
Enhancements: 4K, 60fps
For a long time, Halo virtually sold Xbox consoles by itself. These days, it feels like yesterday’s news—that is, until you see the way that it has been brought bang up to date by its 4K update.
The Xbox One X version has benefitted from a major visual and performance upgrade in every sense, with better draw distances, vastly improved texture detail. HDR doesn’t make the cut in this one, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the standout titles to show off.
5. Rise of the Tomb Raider
Enhancements: 4K, HDR, 60fps
Seeing this one run on the Xbox One X, it seems scarcely credible that Crystal Dynamics’ latest Lara Croft adventure can be two years old. Rise of the Tomb Raider frequently looks more like a tech demo for high-end TVs than it does a video game. Every few minutes, we had to stop to screenshot the scene before us, just in case our eyes deceived me. But no, it really does look astonishing, and also is a damned fine action adventure that remains one of the best released in recent years.
It also benefits from offering the choice to prioritize resolution, visual quality, or frame rate, which surprisingly few games offer right now.
6. Assassin’s Creed Origins
Enhancements: 4K, HDR, Dolby Atmos
Unlike many on this list, Ubisoft’s best demonstration of 4K HDR comes from this freshly released blockbuster. Assassin’s Creed games have always been fine-looking games, but none of them have ever looked this good, with the kind of texture and lighting effects befitting of a series with as much ornate, picturesque beauty as this.
Even better, Origins is one of just two games to offer Dolby Atmos support, which promises to crank up the immersion even more for those with the kit to take advantage.
7. Call of Duty: World War 2
Enhancements: 4K, HDR
COD has always been one of the mainstays of 60fps gaming, when everyone else was shambling along at 30. So while the Xbox One X version doesn’t offer any novelty on that front, what it does do is elevate the whole spectacle to the next level, and provide one of the benchmark 4K gaming experiences to date.
Better still, WW2 is easily one of the best CODs for years, so we’re not just excited about the pretty textures, though mowing down Nazi scum has never looked so good.
8. FIFA 18
Enhancements: 4K, HDR, 60fps
FIFA games have (mostly) always been visual showcases, but this one runs around with its shirt pulled over its head, celebrating right in front of the opposition fans. Seeing it resplendent in 4K HDR and at a consistent silky smooth 60fps takes it up a division, and dare we say it, makes the game feel more responsive and alive to your probings.
Playing with the elite teams in the best stadiums is an incredible experience, and being able to see that much detail on the pitch is a huge bonus.
9. Middle-Earth: Shadow of War
Enhancements: 4K, HDR
Another to offer the option to favour quality or resolution, you can’t really lose either way. Much like Assassin’s Creed Origins, seeing a stealthy action adventure like this in such detail is an absolute joy to behold. The scenic qualities were always great in any case, but sharpening up the details and widening the colour gamut cranks up the immersion. It only runs at 30fps, but it’s a solid, hitch-free 30, which feels great to play, and that’s what matters.
10. Xbox 360 games!
Enhancements: 4K
Yes, believe it or not, some of your old Xbox 360 games have been scrubbed up to run at 4K. And more surprisingly, they look better than you would imagine possible. Firing up Halo 3 (released in 2007, let’s not forget) for the first time, it's evidently using some sort of witchcraft to look this good. The texture detail (always something the game struggled with) is ridiculously good, and brings the scene alive. Fallout 3, meanwhile, renders the wasteland in staggering fidelity.
It makes you wonder what other games will benefit from the Xbox One X treatment, and how they might look. This is a truly meaningful utilization of backwards compatibility, and a good reason to hang onto all those old classics.