I have been an Xbox fan since the original console came out in the early 2000s. While I have typically bought both Xbox and PlayStation consoles for each generation, Xbox was always my favorite. Now, there were some pretty bad times, especially during the Xbox One era, but I really believed the Xbox Series X would turn things around. Unfortunately, that doesn’t appear to be the case as few retailers even bother to carry Xbox games.
Where Are All of the Xbox Games?
I rarely go video game shopping in-store anymore, with the exception of Walmart. I still purchase physical games exclusively, but I find myself buying them online. In hindsight, that has likely contributed to the problem I am about to complain about. Nonetheless, I recently walked through my local Target and Best Buy stores and was stunned by the tiny display of Xbox games.
Now, the video game sections have been on the decline for years, but this was outright embarrassing. There were about ten Xbox titles in total, with several being sports titles. I’ve heard the online chatter about how Xbox’s declining popularity in recent years. However, seeing it in person was almost unbelievable.
When the Xbox Series S and X launched I had pretty high hopes that Microsoft would be competitive with this generation of consoles. Things started off on a good note with more Series consoles available than PlayStation ones. Additionally, Xbox Game Pass was a major selling point. However, Xbox stuck to its old ways and failed to create first-party games. Now, it appears they are no longer interested in the console business.
Physical Media Is Dying Slowly
It’s no secret that physical media is dying a slow death. This year Best Buy caught a lot of attention when they announced plans to remove DVDs and Blu-rays. Unfortunately, it’s the end of an era, but it really isn’t surprising. I have a pretty large physical media collection and I watch one every few months. Like most people, I find it easier to just stream my favorite TV shows and movies.
On the other hand, I have always been a strong supporter of physical video games. I really like Game Pass when it first launched and I would often buy my favorite titles just to add them to my collection. The issues with delisting games from online storefronts is a real problem, and physical console games are often cheaper than their digital counterparts.
The bigger problem now is that most games are so large they no longer fit on a disc, or they require massive updates just to make the games work. I really do wonder what the retro gaming market will look like over the next decade as we lose more games to shuttered servers.
Where Can I Find Xbox Games?
Retailers including Walmart, Target, and Best Buy do still sell Xbox games—for now. However, you will likely notice that the selection of titles is much smaller than that of the PlayStation and Switch. In fact, my local Target and Best Buy have significantly shrunk the shelf space dedicated to Xbox games.
Walmart tends to have the biggest variety, but that isn’t saying much. While I do try to avoid Gamestop at all costs, I know they also have a decent selection of new and used Xbox titles.
If you don’t have much luck finding a wide selection, try a local retro store. Even though I live in a pretty rural area, there is a retro video game store that actually has a nice selection of modern Xbox titles. The best thing is that they also have a huge variety of Original Xbox and Xbox 360 games, many of which are compatible with the Xbox Series X.
What Is the Best Xbox Game Right Now?
The best Xbox game really depends on your tastes and preferences, but I still love playing Forza Horizon 5 despite not being a major fan of racing games. Looking at a newer title, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is one of the best first-party games released on the Xbox Series consoles.
Unfortunately, I just could not get into Halo Infinite, despite being a fan of the franchise since the first game. Next up on my Xbox list is Starfield, which somehow wasn’t on my radar when it was released.
If you don’t mind trying something a bit older, then there are numerous titles that you probably missed or may have never heard of. Sunset Overdrive was one of my favorite games from the Xbox One. However, it came out early in the console’s life cycle when many people were still fuming over the Kinect debacle. Another personal favorite is Psychonauts and Psychonauts 2. Best of all, you can play all three of these titles on Game Pass.
Should You Buy an Xbox Series X Console?
No, you should not buy an Xbox Series X or Series S console. When the Xbox Series X first came out I recommended it to a number of people. At launch, it was much easier to find than a PlayStation 5. Additionally, the Series X was a tad more powerful and offered access to Microsoft’s Game Pass subscription. However, I can no longer make this recommendation.
If you are in marketing for a new console, you should just buy a PlayStation 5. The limited game selection on Xbox makes it a hard sell, despite still having a great value in Game Pass. The PlayStation 5 still has a relatively small lineup of games compared to previous generations, but it still has a decent selection of first-party titles.
If you were looking for a more affordable option, like the Series S, I would still avoid purchasing it unless you find a great deal. Instead, buy a Nintendo Switch if you don’t have one already. The standard model is the same price as the Series S and it has an awesome lineup of games.
