While some Xbox players wait to take the step into the next generation, the Xbox One provides plenty of games to keep them busy. This is especially helped thanks to Xbox Game Pass, which provides a wide variety of games with only the cost of the subscription standing in the way between the player and the game.
There are a ton of beloved games available on the system that people have latched on to. But there are some games that, even with some popularity, may lead to some players being scolded for wasting their Xbox One time on them. But who can resist a good guilty pleasure game?
10 Minecraft
Yes, Minecraft is clearly popular. It is the best-selling video game of all-time and continues to be one of the most-watched games on YouTube. That said, the game by Mojang Studios has been skewing to a younger demographic as of late and those older still playing the game regularly may feel like they should be moving beyond the game released in 2011. However, Minecraft is still a lot of fun as it not only remains a great sandbox, but it also has many interesting features that make the survival element of it as intense as ever.
9 Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled
The original Crash Team Racing was a classic, so it was no wonder that people got excited about the remake that merged with Crash Nitro Kart to form Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled. The remake was popular out of the gate, but the hype soon calmed down after a few months upon the introduction of microtransaction in the in-game store. That said, the game is still a lot of fun to play, with some technical aspects of the driving competing with the likes of Mario Kart. While many people aren’t playing anymore, the game is worth going back to for excellent tracks and solid racing.
8 Planet Coaster: Console Edition
They aren’t quite as popular as they used to be, but theme park management simulators can be a lot of fun. Planet Coaster comes from the development team of old school hits RollerCoaster Tycoon 3, Thrillville, Thrillville: Off The Rails, and Zoo Tycoon.
The game allows players to build their own amusement park in a sandbox mode and also take on more difficult aspects of the game through challenge mode and career mode. While it’s not a game that most would claim to play on a regular basis, it’s fun to sit down and let the imagination run wild.
7 Two Point Hospital
Sticking with the simulation genre, Two Point Hospital is a game that can surprisingly keep players busy. The business simulator puts players in charge of running a hospital, which involves adding more rooms and amenities to the hospital and hiring experienced staff to take care of the patients. As the game goes on, the player will need to deal with issues like internal outbreaks and complete different challenges that help increase the player’s overall rating for their hospital. Co-op and competitive multiplayer modes also keep players engaged.
6 Yooka-Laylee And The Impossible Lair
The minds behind Banjo-Kazooie decided to make a spiritual successor to the game called Yooka-Laylee. Unfortunately, the 3D-platformer flopped and didn’t live up to expectations. A spin-off called Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair ended up being really good but didn’t get the attention it deserved. The developers shited to making a 2D sidescrolling platform game focused around the main characters of its first game, Yooka the chameleon and Laylee the bat. Some may roll their eyes at the original game, but the spin-off is a joy.
5 Castle Crashers Remastered
Playing an old 2D hack-and-slash game originally for the Xbox 360 may not be seen as being super popular in 2020, but Castle Crashers has earned its place as one of the most fun co-op experiences out there that more people should try. Set in a medieval world, players take on the role of knights looking to save princesses from an evil wizard. Each level has its own unique set of enemies to slash through and there is a bevy of weapons that can be used. This game also has a ton of bathroom humor, which may lead to some rolled eyes, but the gameplay makes it worth it.
4 Super Mega Baseball 3
When it comes to popular baseball games, there’s none more popular nowadays than MLB: The Show, not only for its license but for its solid career gameplay. But one game of fictional baseball teams is worth checking out.
Super Mega Baseball 3 brings a lot of humor to the table, but it also brings solid gameplay and fun game modes. In the third iteration, modes range from simple exhibitions to a franchise mode where players can develop athletes in their organization. They also added online leagues that allow up to 32 people to join one with their own teams.
3 Superhot
The game has become a bit of a meme for the repeated use of its title to cap off each level, but Superhot is as good of a shooter out there without the triple-A aesthetics. Players are in a minimalist environment where the world slows down when they stay still, but moving or looking around causes the world to move normally. The game almost serves as a teaching tool for situational awareness and how to get out of tough situations when playing a high-speed FPS. After completing a level, players are able to see their actions play out at normal speed.
2 Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions
Continuing with shooting games, it’s always fun to play a game that brings the player back to the days of playing in an arcade. Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions is perfect for that. The 2D/3D multidirectional shooter has players in control of a claw-shaped ship that can shoot at enemies. There is a variety of polygonal enemies that the player will need to shoot down in order to fulfill the objective, which varies between modes. The game also has a really cool aesthetic of arenas that bend and change shape depending on the level.
1 Kalimba
Those who just want to play a 2D platformer with a unique twist are perfect candidates to pick up Kalimba. One player is in charge of two totems and the goal is to reach the end of each platforming level with both totems still alive. In addition, there is also a co-op mode that requires two sets of totems that each player controls. Players earn points at the end of each level to see how well they did with items and deaths. It may not be a game that stands out in the Xbox collection by any stretch, but the game can be a lot of fun and a good time waster alone or with a friend.
NEXT: 5 Platformer Mechanics That Changed The Genre (& 5 That Are Outdated)
