Xbox Series X is an incredible system with a massive roster that includes hundreds of last-gen titles — some of which have been updated to perform better on the powerful new hardware. While it’s great to have a sizeable catalog of titles at launch, it’s not ideal to drop $60 on a new game after you’ve already laid out $500 for the console.
Thankfully, the Series X roster is filled with dozens of great free-to-play games. From Fortnite and Apex Legends to Warframe and Spellbreak, here are the best free games on Xbox Series X.
Further reading
Fortnite
It should come as no surprise, but Fortnite is available for free on Xbox Series X. The battle royale is a perennial favorite and comes with a host of upgrades on next-gen consoles – including improved graphics and performance.
Constant updates, a robust creative mode, and crossovers with popular franchises such as Marvel and Star Wars have kept players coming back for years. Fortnite‘s future is incredibly bright, and one of the best ways to experience the colorful mayhem is on your new Xbox Series X.
Call of Duty: Warzone
If you like your battle royales with a bit more grit, skip out on Fortnite and dive right into Warzone. Featuring the same fast-paced combat you’ll find in premium Call of Duty games, Warzone adds in the massive world of Verdansk, deep progression, and the unique 1v1 Gulag mechanic.
Warzone is always experimenting with new modes, giving you a reason to dive back into the frenetic action. There’s also an intriguing story that plays out in the background, as new sections of the map are unlocked and you learn more about the struggle taking place on the battlefield.
Warframe
Warframe is a third-person shooter that is best played with a few friends. While it’s entirely possible to grind through the main campaign solo, teaming up with a few other Tenno makes for a much better experience as you coordinate attacks and shoot your way through hordes of enemies.
With customizable characters, upgradeable weapons, and a surprisingly deep endgame, Warframe is a free-to-play game that’ll easily get you hundreds of hours of entertainment. If you get hooked, dropping a few dollars will let you expand your inventory and quickly unlock alternate characters.
Apex Legends
There’s no shortage of great battle royales on Xbox Series X — and Apex Legends is one that is more than worthy of your attention. The squad-based shooter can be enjoyed without dropping a dime, although passionate fans can crack open their wallets to unlock new skins and cosmetic upgrades.
Developed by the same people responsible for Titanfall, Apex Legends offers a level of mobility not seen in other shooters. Clamber up walls, slide down hills, and build momentum as you hurtle toward the next circle. Its tight shooting and impressive cast of characters offer a deep level of strategy, and its ever-evolving story keeps you interested in their struggle.
Rocket League
Rocket League recently switched to a free-to-play model, bringing high-flying soccer-action to the masses. Pick a car, trick it out with decals, wheels, and toppers, then head to the pitch and try to ram a massive soccer ball into the other team’s goal. It sounds bizarre — and no doubt it is — but it’s probably the most fun you’ll have with a free game.
Like many free-to-play titles, Rocket League offers cosmetic upgrades as a premium purchase. But rest assured that spending money won’t give anyone the upper hand — they might look fancy, but those cosmetics won’t make them a better player.
Destiny 2
Destiny 2 is already a fantastic game, but it’s even better on Xbox Series X thanks to its next-gen update. Jump into the free game on your new console and you’ll be able to run it with a 4K resolution at up to 120fps.
The game also loads much faster than it did on last-gen consoles, letting you skip those lengthy load times between missions. While much of the game is available for free, there’s a bunch of excellent premium content available if you’re willing to spend a few bucks.
Smite
It’s not as popular as Dota 2 or League of Legends, but Smite is among the best MOBAs available on Xbox Series X. It’s also a free-to-play title, so there’s no reason to not give it a try. Although it was first released in 2014, Smite has seen constant updates and content patches — and has a surprisingly active fanbase.
While many of the MOBA tropes are present in Smite, things play out from a third-person perspective as opposed to the usual isometric, top-down view. This brings you up close to the action and offers a fun twist on the genre you won’t see in many other games.
World of Tanks
If you’re a fan of the vehicular combat in Battlefield or Call of Duty, World of Tanks might be your new favorite game. Not only does the entire game revolve around vehicles, but you’ll have dozens of unique — and customizable — tanks to choose from.
Combat offers a lot of flexibility and depth, as you try to outmaneuver and outflank the opposing teams. With tons of upgradable and unlockable gear, World of Tanks is easily the best vehicular combat game on the market.
Spellbreak
If Harry Potter received the battle royale treatment, the result would look a lot like Spellbreak. Players will be casting lightning, throwing fireballs, and conjuring poisonous traps in an attempt to be the last person standing at the end of each match.
As the ring shrinks, each player is granted stronger abilities — making matches more hectic as time goes on. What starts as a wide-open battlefield and small-scale encounters eventually turns into a magical duel between ten or more players. It’s not an easy game, but it’s an incredible take on the saturated battle royale genre.
Dauntless
Dauntless is cut from the same cloth as Monster Hunter. Much of the fat is cut from the experience, letting you dive right into the main attraction — massive battles against towering behemoths. You’ll still be able to upgrade gear and customize your character, but don’t expect the same deep RPG mechanics found in its older cousin.
Still, Dauntless is a wonderful free-to-play game that’s easy to sink hundreds of hours into. Whether you’re playing with a few friends or queuing with randoms, Dauntless makes it easy to have fun while out on the hunt.
Editors’ Recommendations
