Soldiers and sponges are on sale in this week's Xbox deals list. (Photo: GameMill / Microsoft / Ubisoft / Square Enix)(Microsoft / Ubisoft / Square Enix)
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The Northeast is expecting a bit of snow this weekend, but no matter where you live you’ve likely been contending with colder temperatures than you’d like. So it’s time to settle in on the couch with a blanket and a mug of hot cocoa… but you can still get out thanks to some stirring video game adventures for the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. We’ve scoured high and low to find you some of the best games for Microsoft’s system at great prices from your favorite retailers like Amazon, Walmart and GameStop. But grab them quick — these deals won’t last forever, and spring (and outdoor activity) is just right around the corner.
Licensed games like this don’t always have the best reputation, but this game managed to blow all expectations out of the water, along with inspiring a huge dose of nostalgia for kids raised on Nicktoons. Ren, Stimpy, SpongeBob, Aang and Korra — the gang’s all here, and ready to throw down in frantic, fast-paced combat. And you can snag this recent title at a decent discount too, 33 percent off at Amazon!
It's safe to say that the Mortal Kombat franchise is a classic at this point, and the recent Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate has everything gamers love about the series: Crazy, imaginative characters, thrilling moves and even silly features like "Friendship" to finish off your enemies. This version ups the stakes by adding even more characters from all sorts of media, like the Joker, Robocop and Rambo. Sounds crazy, but it's also super fun and on sale for only $31 (make sure to click on the coupon)!
Halo just turned 20, but that’s no reason to feel old. Instead, why not enjoy the newest addition to the series, with its expansive open-world structure, crazy new abilities and amped up multiplayer? This was one of the top games of 2021 and it’s guaranteed to still be hot in 2022; right now you can save $8 on this title but at any price you’re sure to get your money’s worth thanks to the sheer number of ways to play this soon-to-be-classic.
Players call it "the best Halo yet," with one happy customer adding that "as a Halo enthusiast since day one who prefers story line first and online gaming later, in my opinion this is the greatest depth, thought, creativity and production work that I could imagine; that I have been hoping to see from the Halo franchise for quite some time."
Maybe you haven’t been flying much lately, but you’ll certainly see the world when you pick up a copy of Microsoft Flight Simulator for the Xbox Series X, which puts you in the cockpit. Travel to far away countries, brave real-time weather and get behind the yoke of some of your favorite aircraft. You’re sure to be enchanted by the realism in this game, enough that it might sate your need for travel… or maybe just get you excited for the real thing!
Shoppers call it "as close to flying a real plane as you can get," and add it's "the flight game for anyone who wants realism that simply isn't found in any other video game. From engine startup to taxiing to take off and landing, this is top notch." Aviation nerds unite!
The Riders Republic is the ultimate playground for fans of extreme sports. BMX, snowboarding and even base jumping are here for your action-packed delight, traveling through gorgeous environments and collecting and wearing killer threads in the process. This is pretty recent title from a few months ago but it's already on sale. Save $30 when you order it from Amazon, and you'll be exploring canyons and forests on your trusty bike in no time.
One shopper had a lot to say, calling it "awesome perfect for any sportsman or even people who are not into sports. The graphics and the quality is impeccable. And the gameplay is really straightforward. Also this game is pretty hilarious. Definitely worth it."
Vikings are cool, and we’re not just saying that because they live way up north! This epic title lets you live the life of a Norseman… or Norsewoman (you get to choose your gender). You can go on raids, fight vicious battles and experience a grand, sweeping saga in the Assassin’s Creed universe. But you don’t need to be familiar with the series to get started — in fact, this game is a great starting point for this immersive series, with a fun history lesson to boot!
Gamers certainly love it, with one shopper calling it “one of the best open world games I have played.” That’s because “there is so much to do in this game, so many ways to build your character, so many ways to engage in combat. The graphics are amazing and finally a game where you can play as a Viking! This game has over 100 hours of gameplay. Highly recommended!”
This game takes everything you love about the hit movies — the goofy characters, the wild combat, and the classic tunes — and puts you in the cockpit. Fans of the comics will love the way the characters look like their on-page counterparts, while newcomers and vets alike will love the ability to make choices that affect the story.
This is one of the best games of 2021, and the five-star reviews on Amazon back that up. This player says it's a "great narrative game, gameplay is amazing and if you want a challenge put it on highest difficulty." He adds, "the soundtrack is amazing and the [first] hour of the game is my favorite and I didn't get to the main story till like 30 mins in cause I was listening to the songs." Sounds like it doubles as a jukebox too, and you can snag it for 50 percent off at Amazon!
Not every space journey has to be an epic non-stop adventure. The Kerbal Space Program is something a bit more realistic, where engineering and physics are key to getting your spacecraft off the ground. The Kerbals might not be human astronauts, but you’ll feel for them anyway as they ascend into the stars… or crash to the ground when you make a mistake. This title is both hilarious and educational!
Players agree, with one calling out its "steep learning curve" but adding that "space travel is not easy" and this title offers "real space engineering with a comical twist." Sounds like a great way to pick up some STEM skills!
Have you ever wished you could take a lightsaber into your own hands, take down stormtroopers and explore the galaxy? Fallen Order is a game that puts you into the boots of Cal Kestis, a survivor of the Jedi massacre that occurred in Revenge of the Jedi. Even if you’re not that familiar with Star Wars lore, this game is a great role-playing adventure with plenty of action and spectacular graphics.
This was one of the best games of 2019, and right now it's just $17, where players call it a "fantastic Star Wars game," one where the main character has a lot of "depth" and the graphics are "visually amazing." One gamer says, "The combat is enthralling (and low key gives me a power trip), the visual direction is incredible, working with the engaging characters and writing to evoke the feel of the movies incredibly well, and the game offers a new perspective that adds depth to a very interesting time in the Star Wars timeline. I've loved every minute of playing!"
This classic series has it all: space cops, aliens, rebellion and even romance. And your decisions carry over from one game into the next, so you’ll want to play the entire trilogy. Good thing this title includes all three of the original Mass Effect games for only $34 at Walmart, plus lots of bonus content like extra weapons and armor. It’s even been remastered to look great on your 4K TV!
One player says “The graphics are amazing. Shepard looks great and the controls are so much better. This is a must-have for any Mass Effect fan. If you've never played the series before, this is a great opportunity to begin.” And other shopper calls it “the Star Wars Trilogy of video games” and a “must buy.” If you love the adventures of Han Solo and Luke Skywalker, why not give Commander Shepard a try?
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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