Christmas 2022: 5 Best Xbox Series X|S Game Deals

‘Tis the season to be saving a fistful of cash on Xbox Series X|S games, thanks to the gaming giant hosting yet another network of money-saving limited-time deals. From now through to the beginning of January, users can claim an enormous variety of triple-A releases, DLC, and expansions, with some discounts going way beyond 70% or higher. It makes sense, then, that anyone would want to cash in on the best deals and save a pretty penny in the long run.

So, what games are actually worth picking up in the latest sale? Well, if you're fairly open-minded and don't mind dipping your toes into a number of pools, then you're in luck. As it stands, these are five of the best deals you can pick up via the Microsoft Store on Xbox Series X|S.

5. The Dark Pictures Anthology: Season One

With the first season of The Dark Pictures Anthology finally out of the way, Supermassive Games can now cast its focus onto the second. Before it does, though, the studio will be letting slip the first four games in their entirety for as little as $69.99, which is significantly less than its base value of $100. Plus, given the fact that the recently released The Devil in Me is still available for $39.99, its revamped collection does drive a hard bargain.

The Dark Pictures Anthology boasts a diverse range of survival horror chapters, each of which come loaded with a plethora of individual story arcs, consequences, and endings. From an abandoned cargo ship to a ghost-infested town, a sunken temple to a twisted hotel — the first season of The Dark Pictures Anthology comes with its admirable share of locations, characters, and dilemmas. And for $69.99, it's a collection well worth experiencing, if not for the first time, then definitely the twentieth.

4. Need for Speed: Unbound

Electronic Arts' universally acclaimed Need for Speed saga has once again returned with an all-new roadworthy successor to the double decade-old racing anthology. In this edition, players take on the role of an up-and-coming mechanic, one who's tasked with tearing up the night circuit in a fictionalized Chicago. With sky-high betting odds and the whole police force cracking down on the street racing scene, you must ask yourself one question: is the heat worth the payout?

Need for Speed: Unbound is currently available on Xbox Series X|S via the Microsoft Store for just $41.99, which is $28 shy of its base price tag. So, if you're an avid follower of Criterion Games' immersive street racing catalog, then you'll definitely want to claim the latest entry while it's still hot off the press and at a discounted rate. As it stands, the discount will only be applied for the final week of December.

3. Assassin's Creed Valhalla + Watch Dogs: Legion

Given the fact that Ubisoft is in the process of building another collection of first-class titles for its Assassin's Creed portfolio, now seems to be as good a time as any to reflect on some the series' best entries to date. Specifically Assassin's Creed Valhalla, the Viking-infused ARPG that stormed the world back in 2020. And not just that, but one of Ubisoft's other triple-A projects, Watch Dogs: Legion, another breakthrough title that launched just weeks prior to Valhalla.

As it turns out, Ubisoft is holding a two-for-one deal on the aforementioned top-shelf favorites for a limited time only. From now until January, you can get your mitts on both Valhalla and Legion for just $32.99, which is just a fraction of its $110 base tag. So, whether it's Norse mythology that suits your boots, or the life of a Dedsec elite hacker — this double-barrelled package will no doubt give you plenty of bang for your buck.

2. Crash Bandicoot: Crashiversary Bundle

To celebrate twenty-five glorious years of Naughty Dog's poster child of the nineties, Xbox is hosting a one-time deal that lets its users claim the entire collection for one discounted price of $47.99, reduced from $119.99. Included in the newly established Crashiversary Bundle is the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, a full-fledged reimagined collection of the first three PlayStation originals; Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled; and Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, totalling five full-length games.

For those of you who don't know (which is hard to believe at this point), Crash Bandicoot is a multi-award-winning platforming series that sees the titular protagonist venturing across various islands and worlds in an attempt to put a stop to Dr Neo Cortex's evil schemes. Each island, true to the platforming formula, comes with a variation of boss fights, races, and obstacle courses. And now, at long last, the whole journey can be purchased

1. Far Cry Anthology Bundle

Minus the first two instalments, Far Cry Anthology Bundle comes loaded with just about every chapter in the first-person shooter series, including the latest Caribbean-based entry, Far Cry 6. For a limited time only, Xbox Series X|S owners can claim the revised anthology for $44.99, which is $105 less than its intended value.

“Take on four iconic, twisted villains including Vaas, Pagan Min, Joseph Seed and Antón Castillo (starring Giancarlo Esposito) in this limited edition bundle,” the official blurb reads. “Experience the thrill of the award-winning Far Cry franchise through the Anthology Bundle. Travel to the exotic Rook Islands, survive the hills of Kyrat, save the land of the free in Hope County, Montana, and liberate the island nation of Yara from a ruthless dictator and his regime!”

So, what's your take? Will you be picking up any of the above deals this holiday season? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.