Siliconera’s 2023 Xbox Series X Games Holiday Gift Guide  

With holiday season upon us, you may be currently looking for ideas on gifts for the Xbox fan in your life. There are plenty of options for Xbox Series X games and other gift ideas, whether you’re looking for a friend or a treat for yourself, so here’s our guide to help.

Which Xbox Series X and S bundles are available for the 2023 Black Friday holiday shopping season?

With two models of Xbox, there are naturally a couple of different bundles available. For the Series X, there is a Diablo 4 bundle available for $499. The Series S model, which lacks a disc drive, comes bundled with three months of Game Pass Ultimate, which provides access to a wide library of games out of the box. It’s available for $299. Both systems are likely to see some sale prices around Black Friday, so best to keep an eye out for those.

Guide to Xbox Series X games that make a great holiday gift for everyone

These games are great for everyone, including the total beginner. The prices listed are standard, but with sales happening around this time, discounts are likely to be out there.

• Assassin’s Creed Mirage – $49.99
• Forza Motorsport – $69.99
• Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1 – $59.99
• Mortal Kombat 1 – $69.99
• Resident Evil 4 – $59.99
• Starfield – $69.99
• Street Fighter 6 – $59.99

Xbox Series X games that make a great holiday gift for more advanced or niche players

These are for players with more experience. They represent games with a bit more difficulty, or maybe they feature more complex mechanics or an experience for a niche audience.

• Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon – $59.99
• Dead Space – $69.99
• Lies of P – $59.99
• Like a Dragon: Ishin! – $59.99
• Persona 5 Tactica – $59.99
• Remnant 2 – $49.99

Fun novelties that are Xbox-adjacent

Microsoft released a few exclusives this year, including the surprise launch of the excellent Hi-Fi Rush. Being a rhythm game, its soundtrack is hugely important. So, for a fan of the game, the 4-disc vinyl release of the soundtrack is a perfect gift. It features all the original tracks written for the game, including the songs that replace the game’s licensed songs in Streamer Mode. It costs $88.

Xbox’s biggest launch this year was Starfield, and if you know a fan of the game, Bethesda has a merch store full of unique items, many of which would make for an excellent stocking filler. But if you know someone with a love for the game and for skateboarding, one highlight is the Aerial Skate Deck. This skateboard features a constellation map for the game and is available for $75.

If you’re feeling a little creative and want to get something more personalized, there’s always the option of a custom controller through the Xbox Design Lab. This allows you to create a controller in a range of colors, with options such as rubberized back grips. Prices for these controllers begin at $69.99 but certain additions will add additional costs.