The Xbox Series X/S has proven to be a truly excellent games console - no surprise, really, given its status as a bleeding edge, next-gen machine. Since their release three years ago, both the budget and premium consoles have grown a decent library of gaming experiences that run that gamut from sports simulation to first-person shooters, including some of the world’s top pro gaming titles.

During the early years of the sector, eSports was typically associated more with PC gaming than consoles. However, the increased sophistication of gaming consoles over the past decade or so has given rise to a greater console presence in elite-level competitions.

Although Sony’s PlayStation currently holds the lion’s share of eSports matches, the tide is turning and we’re seeing more and more Microsoft machines in play. At this rate, it probably won’t be long until Xbox events make up some of the major online eSports crypto betting markets! If you’re in the mood for adding some pro gaming staples to your library, read on to find out which titles we’ve rated the most iconic eSports Xbox games.

FIFA 23

Developer:EA Sports

Released: 2022

EA Sports’ FIFA is one of the most iconic sports simulation franchises in the history of gaming. Each new instalment in the series builds on the success of the earlier edition, adding exciting new play modes, improving visuals, and more engaging gameplay. While there have been some incredibly memorable entries over the years, FIFA 23 reigns supreme as a top eSports title and a stand-out game to play on the series X/S consoles.

2023’s been a pretty stacked year in terms of FIFA eSports tournaments, with Team Gullit’s Manuel Bachoore taking the title at the World Cup back in the summer. As great as the title is for the basis of a competitive gaming event, it’s also one of the best editions to get into playing if you’re a beginner. Thanks to its accessible controls and realistic player graphics, gaming novices will be able to get to grips with it in seconds.

Overwatch

Developer: Activision Blizzard

Released: 2016

Activision Blizzard may have effectively drawn the curtains on the Overwatch League in its attempts to make Overwatch 2 the next massive thing in eSports, but the original title in the ever-growing multiplayer FPS series still is our top favorite.

Overwatch is a team-based game, so it's one to avoid if you prefer to play solo, but any gamer looking for cooperative FPS action should definitely check this out. In fact, the multiplayer aspect is what makes Overwatch such a perfect game for pro events since it's pretty much impossible to win matches with just your character’s ability alone.

In fusing FPS with MOBA-esque characters, Overwatch delivers a unique gaming experience that is just as entertaining for live audiences to watch as it is for players. In fact, its universal appeal played a key role in the 5-year success of the Overwatch League — it secured franchise fees exceeding $150 million during its run.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Developer: Valve Corporation, Hidden Path Entertainment

Released: 2012

There are eSports franchises and then there’s Counter-Strike! Valve’s pivotal gaming series has been an eSports staple since its beginnings back in 1999. Most of the top gamers on the circuit today likely grew up playing and, when Counter-Strike Global Offensive was released in 2012 it even made history for being the most-played game of all time.

CS:GO is a flagship eSports game, both for Valve and for the eSports industry in general. It’s a team-based multiplayer, aka the perfect setup for tournament competitions, and pits fictional counter-terrorists against terrorists. This premise provides each team with different actions to win the game, in the case of counter-terrorists, the aim is to save hostages, defuse attacks, and eradicate the hostile team. The gameplay is pretty much faithful to the original 1999 version, but CS:GO ramps up everything, including the multiplayer experience.

If you’ve got your finger on the pulse then you’ll already know that Valve made the shock decision to fully replace CS:GO with its official upgrade, Counter-Strike 2 this autumn, however, this latest version is yet to hit Game Pass. Xbox devotees can still get their firsthand Global Offensive using Game Pass, so go check it out!

League of Legends

Developer: 2009

Released: Riot Games

MOBAs (multiplayer online battle arena games) are the bread and butter of eSports events and one of the greatest of all time is League of Legends. LoL is essentially an eSports pioneer; it was released in 2009 just as the industry started to find its feet and quickly became a global phenomenon. Events like the League of Legends Championship Series and the Worlds highlight just how prestigious pro gaming events cantered around this game have become —they regularly feature multi-million-dollar prize pools —while professional LoL gamers are rightly regarded as titans.

For beginners, LoL delivers a varied gaming experience that is highly engaging. It’s actually more than just a straight-up MOBA, League of Legends gameplay and mechanics feature nods to classic genres like RPGs, tower fortification, and strategy gaming. "