The Xbox Series X is set to release on November 10th, 2020, and will be Microsoft and Xbox’s latest effort in bringing a truly next-generation console gaming experience to gamers. It will be launching alongside a more budget-friendly weaker console that’s all-digital and will give everyone a chance to hop into next-gen.
The fall will see a lot of game releases, and players are wondering if they should just wait to purchase the next-gen versions. Well, for many games publishers and developers are offering free upgrades in a very generous move for consumers.
10 Control
Remedy’s latest science fiction adventure, Control, is making its way to next-gen consoles, but there’s a catch. Unlike other titles that will offer customers who already purchased their game a free upgrade, publisher 505 Games is making people purchase the $40 release of Control: Ultimate Edition, which includes the game and all of its downloadable content or DLC for short.
This has greatly upset the game’s community, as players who purchased the game and all of its DLC already are being short-changed for their investment.
9 Fortnite
It wouldn’t feel like a true launch of a next-gen console if the game that’s everywhere made its debut on the platform as well. Fortnite is a game that’s still popular as ever with kids, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it will take advantage of the new consoles via visual and performance improvements.
As a free-to-play title, consumers who pick up an Xbox Series X will be able to hop in and see the improvements without having to spend any additional money following the $500 acquisition of the system, itself.
8 Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
After Microsoft and Xbox fully announced the launch date of November 10th, 2020 for the Xbox Series X, Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla quietly moved up its release date to launch alongside it. It will support Xbox’s Smart Delivery feature that provides users with the best version of the game on the Xbox platform of their choice.
If you’re aren’t an early adopter to the Xbox Series X, you will still be able to obtain the next-gen upgrade of the latest entry in the Assassin’s Creed franchise once you get your hands on the console.
7 Rainbox Six: Siege
Rainbox Six: Siege is one of the best examples of a games-as-service title that’s completely restored itself in a critical light after releasing to less-than-favorable reviews. Over the years, it’s been updated tirelessly, and it’s to the point where it is now known as a premier online multiplayer experience.
Fans were unsure how the transition to next-gen would go, but Ubisoft has announced that owners of the game will receive the next-gen version of the high stakes shooter for no additional cost as they focus on keeping their player base engaged for years to come.
6 Little Nightmares 2
When big video game publishers offer free upgrades, it’s not surprising considering the financial freedom they have to do so. When a smaller indie developer decides to do it, it feels like they’re willing to lose out on potential revenue to treat their customers right.
Little Nightmares 2 is the sequel to the standout horror platformer with an art style that took the gaming world by surprise. It is set to release in February of 2021 on current generation hardware, but those who purchase it are guaranteed to have access to it on next-gen hardware, as well.
5 FIFA 21
Out of all of their titles, FIFA 21 will likely bring in the most revenue for Electronic Arts this Fall. The game is extremely popular around the world, and fans get so attached to the card game roster-building mode known as Ultimate Team.
As long as you purchase an Xbox Series X/S before the release of FIFA 22 in 2021, you’ll have the opportunity to upgrade to the next-gen version. EA’s original stance on upgrades was to give harsher deadlines, but they changed that plan after hearing community feedback.
4 Cyberpunk 2077
Recent reports have stated that Cyberpunk 2077 is forcing a major crunch at CD Projekt Red and is having people question whether this title should be delayed once more. If it hits its release date, owners of the Xbox Series X will be able to play the game with the automated boosting in performance via the velocity architecture. The developer has stated that a polished and focused next-gen version of the game will come at a later date and be free to owners of the current-gen version of the game.
3 Madden 21
Electronic Arts is a publisher that has done a lot in recent years to try and repair their tarnished name, but gamers are rightly cautious and still feel an amount of animosity towards them. After hearing criticism about how they were forcing deadlines on free upgrades, they listened to the feedback and changed it.
Now, if you happen to purchase Madden 21 on current-gen systems, you’ll have up until the release of Madden 22 in 2021 to snag a next-gen Xbox and upgrade to the best version of Madden 21 possible.
2 Marvel’s Avengers
Marvel’s Avengers is an enigma of a video game, as most reviews consider to be a seven or eight in terms of the 10 point scale, but users find the gameplay fun despite its repetitive nature. It also happens to be a title clearly hampered by current-gen console restraints and littered with bugs and performance issues.
Players are hoping that the free next-gen upgrade will make the overall experience that much better, as the games-as-service title will likely be a key multiplayer experience for many entering the next generation of console gaming.
1 Ori & the Will of the Wisps
Ori & the Will of the Wisps is one of 2020’s best games and is a shining example of what the best in video games has to offer. It’s clear, though, that the Xbox-exclusive title has been slightly hampered by the limitations of eighth-gen console hardware.
Thankfully, Moon Studios has committed to a next-gen version that will clean up animation bugs and deliver an experience to players that will offer 120 frames per second and display in up to 4K resolution.
NEXT: Xbox Series X: 10 Remakes Most Likely To Appear On The Next-Gen Console
