The best games in the Xbox holiday sale — Halo, Battlefield 2042 and The Witcher

Skate 3: was $19 now $4 @ Xbox
Technically an Xbox 360 game, but Skate 3 is playable on Xbox One/Xbox Series X via Microsoft's impressive backwards compatibility tech. And not only does it work on newer hardware, but the extra power boosts the skateboarding simulator to run at a silky smooth 60 fps.

The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt: was $39 now $7 @ Xbox
No Xbox sale is complete without a huge discount on The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt. If you're one of the few gamers who hasn't yet played this epic action RPG, you now have no excuse. The Game of the Year Edition, which contains the base game plus two meaty expansions, is also available for just $9. 

Lego Harry Potter Collection: was $39 now $7 @ Xbox
This collection bundles together Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4 and Lego Harry Potter Years 5-7, for a completely magical experience. An ideal co-op game for inexperienced gamers. Enjoy the entire Harry Potter series in Lego form while collecting thousands of plastic studs and unlocking hundreds of playable characters. 

Hellblade Senua's Sacrifice: was $29 now $7 @ Xbox
If the gameplay reveal for Hellblade 2: Senua's Saga at The Game Awards wowed you, make sure to play the original game before the launch of the sequel in 2022. This game looks especially stunning on the Xbox Series X in 4K at 60 fps. 

Bioshock The Collection: was $49 now $9 @ Xbox
Would you kindly take advantage of this massive saving on Bioshock The Collection. Experience the entire BioShock series to date with updated visuals and performance in this complete package. Fans of narrative-driven games really won't want to miss the one. 

Cuphead: was $19 now $13 @ Xbox
Don't let Cuphead's 1930s-cartoon-style visuals fool you, this is one tough game. It's also deeply rewarding, challenging you overcome a series of colorful bosses that can kill you with just a couple of hits. If you're up to the task, Cuphead is a game not to be missed. 

Dark Souls 3: was $59 now $14 @ Xbox
Prepare to die all over again in Dark Souls 3. It may be known primarily for its brutal difficulty, but Dark Souls 3 offers more than just an extreme challenge. With a richly detailed world to explore and a story worth deciphering, Dark Souls 3 is tough but worth sticking with. 

Watch Dogs Legion: was $59 now $14 @ Xbox
Watch Dogs Legion allows you to recruit anyone you meet to join your band of resistance fighters. Set in a dystopian version of London that is controlled by a ruthless corporation called Albion, it's your job to free the city and uncover a massive conspiracy. 

Resident Evil 2: was $39 now $15 @ Xbox
One of the most remarkable remakes in gaming history, Resident Evil 2 fully updates the 1998 survival horror classic for modern audiences. With white-knuckle scares and the iconic Racoon City Police Station being ripe for exploration, this is one horrifically good game. 

It Takes Two: was $39 now $19 @ Xbox
It Takes Two is a delightfully charming co-op platformer that requires you to work in harmony with your partner. Centred on an estranged married couple trying to find common ground again, it's one of the most inventive and surprising games of 2021. Plus, it just won Game of the Year at The Game Awards. 

Halo The Master Chief Collection: was $39 now $19 @ Xbox
Has the hype around Halo Infinite got you keen to experience Master Chief's full story? Then the Halo Master Chief Collection, bundling together the first four mainline games, plus Halo 3 ODST and Halo Reach, is exactly what you need. 

Red Dead Redemption 2: was $59 now $23 @ Xbox
Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the most critically acclaimed games of all time, and now you can see what all the fuss is about for just $23. The game offers a sprawling western epic setting plus a multiplayer component that you could lose whole days to. 

Alan Wake Remastered: was $29 now $23 @ Xbox
2010's Alan Wake has been brought to modern systems in this remastering. Containing the full base game and its two DLC chapters, Alan Wake Remastered is the perfect experience for fans of Stephen King novels or the Twin Peaks TV show. 

Cyberpunk 2077: was $59 now $29 @ Xbox
There's no denying that Cyberpunk 2077 launched in a rough state, but after a full year of patches it's finally starting to resemble the game it should have been at launch. The fact you can now pick it up for half-price makes this the ideal time to play it.

Mass Effect Legendary Edition: was $59 now $29 @ Xbox
Relive (or experience for the first time) the entire original Mass Effect trilogy. This Legendary Edition brings some welcome visual touch-ups, especially to the first game, but keeps the gameplay and all-important narrative completely intact. 

Chivalry 2: was $49 now $33 @ Xbox
Chivalry 2 is the raucously funny sequel to 2012's Chivalry: Medevil Warfare. Pick your weapon of choice and cleave through your enemies in multiplayer matches that regularly become downright chaotic. Definitely one of the most consistently enjoyable multiplayer games on Xbox. 

Hot Wheels Unleashed: was $49 now $34 @ Xbox
If you played with Matchbox cars in your youth, Hot Wheels Unleashed will let you relive the days when plastic tracks covered your entire bedroom. This arcade racer is perfect for gamers both old and young and has dropped to just $34 on the Xbox store.

Battlefield 2042: was $59 now $40 @ Xbox
Expect warfare at a massive scale in Battlefield 2042. Offering multiplayer matches with up to 128 players, this is Battlefield taken up a level. There's also a Battlefield Portal mode which remixes content from classic games in the series. 

Resident Evil Village: was $69 now $41 @ Xbox
The Deluxe Edition of Resident Evil Village has dropped to $41 on the Xbox store. Step into the shoes of Ethan Winters once again and travel to a remote European village in order to find your missing daughter. In classic Resident Evil fashion, things get very spooky, very quickly. 

Grand Theft Auto The Trilogy The Definitive Edition: was $59 now $47 @ Xbox
Three of the most influential games in history, GTA 3, GTA Vice City and GTA San Andreas, have been remastered in this definitive collection. It didn't have the smoothest launch last month but Rockstar is already rolling out the patches, and this discount makes it a much easier recommendation.