Back in 2020, Microsoft faced a familiar challenge: convincing players that its next-generation console would be worth buying on day one. The Xbox Games Showcase, held on July 23, 2020, was meant to answer that question with a lineup of first-party exclusives. In 2026, the Xbox Series X and Series S have been on the market for years, yet the lessons from that event remain relevant. Platform identity is still built on exclusive software, and the franchises that Microsoft highlights can determine whether the Xbox ecosystem thrives or merely survives. The following franchises represent the kind of killer games that could—and in some cases did—make the Xbox brand a must-own for dedicated players.

🦸 Marvel's Missing Console Exclusive

Rather than develop its own games in-house, Marvel Entertainment has long licensed its heroes to talented studios. Sony secured Marvel's Spider-Man on PlayStation, Iron Man VR on PSVR, and later Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Nintendo offered Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order. Xbox, by contrast, still lacks a major first-party Marvel exclusive. If Microsoft does not pursue a Warner Bros. Games acquisition to focus on DC characters like Batman, then an Xbox-exclusive Marvel title would be a strategic victory. A well-crafted superhero game could pull fans into the ecosystem and give the platform a blockbuster that appeals beyond traditional Xbox audiences.

🧙 Fable's Long-Awaited Return

As of October 2020, a full decade had passed since Fable 3, the last mainline entry in the beloved Xbox-exclusive fantasy series. Fans were eager for a revival, and the launch of a new console generation was the perfect moment for Microsoft to deliver a strong first-party RPG. The Fable trademark was renewed with an "Intent to Use" box checked, suggesting a return was inevitable. By 2026, that revival has become one of Xbox's most anticipated projects, with Playground Games leading development. A new Fable represents more than nostalgia; it symbolizes Microsoft's commitment to rich, single-player worlds that can stand alongside the best in the genre.

🌳 Ori and the Blind Forest 3

Moon Studios may not be a first-party Xbox Games Studio, but Ori and the Blind Forest became a staple of the platform. Its 2020 sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, earned critical acclaim and was widely considered superior to the original in almost every way. Moon Studios has since moved on to other action-adventure projects, but the Ori series retains a special place in Xbox history. A third entry on Xbox Series X would be a stunning showcase for art, music, and precise platforming. Even a short teaser confirming its existence would generate enormous excitement among Metroidvania fans.

☕ Cuphead 2

From the moment it was announced, StudioMDHR's Cuphead astonished the industry with its 1930s cartoon aesthetic and punishing run-and-gun difficulty. Microsoft brought Cuphead to Nintendo Switch in 2019, The Delicious Last Course DLC arrived later, and a Netflix animated series expanded the brand further. The world simply wants more Cuphead. A full sequel is unlikely to be ready soon, but a brief teaser showing that Cuphead 2 is in development would be a memorable moment for Xbox Series X. The franchise's unique style and challenge make it a perfect exclusive showcase.

🪖 Halo: The Flagship That Cannot Be Overstated

Finally, Microsoft has one confirmed big gun: Halo. The 2020 Xbox Games Showcase offered the world a first real look at Halo Infinite, with a campaign gameplay demo and a multiplayer tease. The importance of that reveal could not be overstated. By 2026, Halo Infinite has launched, evolved, and remains a cornerstone of the Xbox ecosystem. Halo Studios continues to work on the future of the franchise, and the Master Chief's story must remain front and center. No one wants to see the series lose its identity. A confident, gameplay-first Halo presentation can still make or break an Xbox event.

📊 Why These Franchises Matter in 2026

🎮 The Only Way Forward: Exclusives, Exclusives, Exclusives

Sony's 2020 PlayStation 5 event set a high bar by revealing Horizon: Forbidden West, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, and more. Microsoft responded with its own showcase, and the pressure has not faded. In 2026, Xbox boasts Game Pass, cloud gaming, and an enormous studio roster following major acquisitions. Yet exclusive games remain the clearest reason to choose a console. A platform cannot rely on services alone; it needs unforgettable characters, worlds, and experiences that cannot be found anywhere else.

The 2020 Xbox Games Showcase was a turning point. It demonstrated that Microsoft understood the assignment: let the games do the talking. Whether through a Marvel blockbuster, a new Fable, a third Ori, a Cuphead sequel, or the next Halo chapter, the company must keep swinging. Exclusives, exclusives, exclusives—that is still the formula for making Xbox Series X a day-one purchase in 2026 and beyond.