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- Best overall: Gears 5 Ultimate Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
- Best budget: Halo Infinite Multiplayer for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
- Best premium: Microsoft Xbox Series X 1TB Console
- Best for open-world solo play: Halo Infinite Campaign Standard Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
- Halo Infinite Campaign Standard Edition is the pick for open-world exploration and a solo sci-fi story.
- Gears 5 Ultimate Edition bundles the campaign, multiplayer modes and Hivebusters expansion in one package.
- Halo Infinite Multiplayer is free to play and supports large-scale battles of up to 24 players.
- Microsoft Xbox Series X 1TB Console is the strongest hardware pick for playing both games.
- Choose Halo Infinite for open environments; choose Gears 5 for cover-based shooting and co-op.
Halo Infinite vs Gears 5 is a choice between two distinct Xbox shooters, not a simple contest with one winner. Halo Infinite leans into open-world exploration, vehicle combat and large multiplayer battles. Gears 5 serves up weighty cover shooting, a cinematic campaign and co-op modes built around squad play. For Black Friday 2026, I researched and compared specs, reviews and owner feedback to help match each game and gaming option to the right player.
Here's the bottom line: Halo Infinite Campaign Standard Edition is the better fit for players who want room to roam, while Gears 5 Ultimate Edition is a strong all-in-one package for campaign and multiplayer fans. Both games run on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. The picks below also include a free multiplayer option, an expansion and hardware for a complete Xbox setup. Compare the modes, player counts and platform details before choosing.
How We Picked
- Compared campaign structure, multiplayer modes and co-op support to show how each game plays.
- Checked platform compatibility across Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
- Reviewed edition contents, including included expansions and access to game modes.
- Used published specifications, reviews and owner feedback rather than detailed claims.
- Included Xbox hardware and an official controller for readers building or refreshing a setup.
Comparison Table
| Product | Best for | Player support | Platforms | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halo Infinite Campaign Standard Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One | Open-world campaign fans | 1 campaign player | Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One | 1 open-world ring |
| Halo Infinite Multiplayer for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One | Free-to-play competitive matches | Up to 24 Big Team Battle players | Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One | Free-to-play |
| Gears 5 Standard Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One | Co-op campaign players | Up to 3 campaign players | Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One | Cover-based combat |
| Gears 5 Ultimate Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One | Players who want the expanded package | Up to 3 campaign players | Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One | Hivebusters included |
| Gears 5: Hivebusters Expansion for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One | Gears 5 campaign fans | 3-player squad | Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One | Story expansion |
| Microsoft Xbox Series X 1TB Console | Premium Xbox performance | 1TB SSD | Xbox Series X | Up to 4K |
| Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller (Carbon Black) | Replacement and second controllers | 2 AA batteries | Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One | 1 dedicated Share button |
Best Picks Reviewed
#1
Halo Infinite Campaign Standard Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
The Halo Infinite Campaign Standard Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One is the best choice for solo sci-fi explorers, with 1-player campaign progress set across an open-world ring.
Best for: Open-world campaign fans
- Campaign players
- 1 player
- Platforms
- Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
- Campaign setting
- 1 open-world ring
- Multiplayer access
- Separate free-to-play mode
- Exploration and vehicle combat add variety to the campaign.
- A focused solo story suits players who prefer playing at their own pace.
- Available across current and previous Xbox console families.
- Campaign co-op is not included.
Is Halo Infinite Campaign Standard Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Halo Infinite Campaign Standard Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One is worth considering for players who want a solo sci-fi adventure with an open-world structure. The separate free multiplayer mode gives the game extra replay options.
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#2
Halo Infinite Multiplayer for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
The Halo Infinite Multiplayer for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One is the best pick for free-to-play arena and large-team action, with Big Team Battle supporting matches of up to 24 players.
Best for: Free-to-play competitive matches
- Big Team Battle limit
- Up to 24 players
- Platforms
- Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
- Entry cost
- Free to play
- Core modes
- Arena and Big Team Battle
- No campaign purchase is needed to start multiplayer.
- Big Team Battle creates large, vehicle-filled matches.
- A strong choice for players focused on online competition.
- The campaign is a separate purchase.
Is Halo Infinite Multiplayer for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One worth playing on Black Friday 2026?
Halo Infinite Multiplayer for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One is worth playing for fans of free-to-play shooters and team battles. Big Team Battle supports up to 24 players, while Arena offers a tighter format for smaller competitive matches.
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#3
Gears 5 Standard Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
The Gears 5 Standard Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One is the best pick for cover-shooter campaign fans, with 3-player campaign co-op for squad-based play.
Best for: Co-op campaign players
- Campaign co-op
- Up to 3 players
- Platforms
- Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
- Campaign structure
- Story campaign
- Additional modes
- Versus and Horde
- Three-player co-op makes the story a social pick.
- Cover-based combat rewards teamwork and positioning.
- Includes campaign and core multiplayer modes.
- The action is more linear than Halo Infinite's open-world campaign.
Is Gears 5 Standard Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Gears 5 Standard Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One is a strong choice for players who want a cinematic shooter with up to 3-player campaign co-op. The cover-based combat and Horde mode give groups several ways to play.
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#4 · Top pick
Gears 5 Ultimate Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
The Gears 5 Ultimate Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One is the best package for players seeking the main game and extra content, with 3-player campaign co-op at its core.
Best for: Players who want the expanded package
- Campaign co-op
- Up to 3 players
- Platforms
- Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
- Included expansion
- Hivebusters
- Game modes
- Campaign, Versus and Horde
- Combines the main game with additional campaign content.
- Offers campaign co-op and multiple multiplayer modes.
- A convenient choice for fans who want the broader Gears 5 experience.
- Extra content adds less value for players interested only in the main campaign.
Is Gears 5 Ultimate Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Gears 5 Ultimate Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One is a strong package for players who want the main game and Hivebusters expansion together. The Gears 5 Ultimate Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One's campaign supports up to 3 players, and Versus and Horde add multiplayer variety.
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#5
Gears 5: Hivebusters Expansion for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
The Gears 5: Hivebusters Expansion for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One is the best add-on for players who finished the main story, with a 3-player squad at the center of its campaign.
Best for: Gears 5 campaign fans
- Campaign squad
- 3 players
- Platforms
- Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
- Content type
- Story expansion
- Base game
- Gears 5 required
- Adds a separate story campaign to Gears 5.
- Three-player squad play keeps co-op central.
- A focused follow-up for fans of the main campaign.
- Requires Gears 5.
Is Gears 5: Hivebusters Expansion for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Gears 5: Hivebusters Expansion for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One is worth a look for players who want more story after the main campaign. The expansion centers on a 3-player squad and requires the Gears 5 base game.
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#6
Microsoft Xbox Series X 1TB Console
The Microsoft Xbox Series X 1TB Console is the best premium hardware pick for players who want to run both games on Xbox Series X, with a 1TB internal SSD.
Best for: Premium Xbox performance
- Internal storage
- 1TB SSD
- Resolution target
- Up to 4K
- Disc drive
- 4K UHD Blu-ray
- Game compatibility
- Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One titles
- Supports both Halo Infinite and Gears 5.
- A disc drive supports compatible physical game copies.
- Designed for high-resolution Xbox gaming.
- A larger console than the all-digital Series S.
Is Microsoft Xbox Series X 1TB Console a good Black Friday 2026 pick for Halo Infinite and Gears 5?
Microsoft Xbox Series X 1TB Console is a strong pick for players who want one system for Halo Infinite and Gears 5. The 1TB SSD and 4K UHD Blu-ray drive support a premium setup for digital and compatible disc games.
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#7
Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller (Carbon Black)
The Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller (Carbon Black) is the best replacement pad for players who want a familiar Xbox layout, with 2 AA batteries powering wireless play.
Best for: Replacement and second controllers
- Power
- 2 AA batteries
- Wireless connection
- Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth
- Compatible systems
- Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
- Share button
- 1 dedicated button
- Familiar layout works well for both shooters.
- Bluetooth support adds compatibility with supported devices.
- A practical second pad for local multiplayer and co-op.
- Rechargeable battery pack is sold separately.
Is Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller (Carbon Black) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller (Carbon Black) is a useful pick for players who need a replacement or second pad. The controller works with Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, and Bluetooth adds flexibility with supported devices.
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Which is better, Halo Infinite or Gears 5?
Halo Infinite and Gears 5 deliver 2 different styles of Xbox shooting, so the better pick depends on how you like to play. Halo Infinite gives the campaign a large open environment, vehicles and space to explore between missions. Gears 5 focuses on deliberate cover-based firefights, squad drama and tightly directed action.
Choose Halo Infinite Campaign Standard Edition for solo exploration or Halo Infinite Multiplayer for free online battles. Choose Gears 5 Standard Edition for the co-op campaign, or Gears 5 Ultimate Edition for the main game and Hivebusters expansion together. Both games support Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, making either franchise an easy fit for existing Xbox players.
Which game has better campaign co-op?
Gears 5 supports up to 3 campaign players, while Halo Infinite Campaign Standard Edition is a 1-player story experience. That difference makes Gears 5 the clear choice for friends who want to play through a campaign together.
Halo Infinite still offers a strong solo route with exploration, vehicles and a more open structure. Gears 5 keeps the action closer to its squad, with cover-to-cover encounters and a cinematic pace. Players who value shared story progress should start with Gears 5 Standard Edition; solo players who want a broader space to explore should look to Halo Infinite Campaign Standard Edition.
Which game is better for multiplayer?
Halo Infinite Multiplayer supports Big Team Battle matches of up to 24 players, while Gears 5 offers distinct modes such as Versus and Horde. Halo Infinite is the easy entry point for players seeking a free-to-play multiplayer shooter and large objective matches.
Gears 5 suits players who prefer weightier gunplay, close-range encounters and team survival. Both games bring a different rhythm to online sessions, so consider what your group plays most: sprawling battles or cover-focused rounds. Halo Infinite Multiplayer does not include the campaign; players looking for story content should choose a separate campaign product.
Do Halo Infinite and Gears 5 work on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One?
Halo Infinite and Gears 5 both support Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, giving players on 2 Xbox console generations access to the games. Xbox Series X|S is the current-generation choice, while Xbox One owners can still play compatible versions.
Microsoft Xbox Series X 1TB Console is the premium hardware option in this guide and includes a disc drive for compatible physical games. Check the product listing for the exact edition and delivery format before choosing a copy. Digital versions suit consoles without a disc drive, while physical versions suit players who want a game disc.
Which Halo Infinite or Gears 5 edition should you buy?
Gears 5 Ultimate Edition combines the main game and Hivebusters expansion, while Gears 5 Standard Edition covers the core campaign and multiplayer modes. The expanded package is a convenient choice for players who want the extra story without shopping for add-on content separately.
Halo Infinite Campaign Standard Edition is the pick for the solo story, and Halo Infinite Multiplayer is free to play for online action. Players who already own Gears 5 and only want another campaign should look at Gears 5: Hivebusters Expansion. Match the edition to the content you plan to play rather than choosing by label alone.
Buying Guide
Pick your preferred shooter style
Halo Infinite and Gears 5 deliver 2 distinct combat styles. Choose Halo Infinite for open-world travel, vehicles and broad battles; choose Gears 5 for cover shooting and squad action.
Check solo and co-op needs
Gears 5 campaign supports up to 3 players, while Halo Infinite Campaign Standard Edition is built around 1 player. Match the story mode to your group before choosing.
Choose the right game edition
Gears 5 Ultimate Edition includes Hivebusters, while Gears 5 Standard Edition focuses on the core game. Halo Infinite Multiplayer is free to play, but the campaign is separate.
Match the game to your Xbox
Halo Infinite and Gears 5 support Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. Confirm the listing's platform and digital or physical format before completing an order.
Plan your setup
Microsoft Xbox Series X 1TB Console provides a 1TB SSD and disc drive. Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller (Carbon Black) is a practical extra pad for co-op or replacement use.
FAQ
Is Halo Infinite better than Gears 5?
Halo Infinite is the better fit for open-world exploration and large battles, including Big Team Battle matches of up to 24 players. Gears 5 is stronger for cover-based shooting and campaign co-op with up to 3 players. Pick the game that matches your preferred pace.
Is Gears 5 campaign co-op?
Yes. Gears 5 supports campaign co-op for up to 3 players, making Gears 5 Standard Edition a strong pick for a squad of friends. Halo Infinite Campaign Standard Edition is designed as a 1-player campaign, so Gears 5 has the co-op advantage.
Is Halo Infinite multiplayer free?
Yes. Halo Infinite Multiplayer for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One is free to play. Big Team Battle supports up to 24 players, while the Halo Infinite campaign is a separate product. Players can choose multiplayer alone or add the campaign for its solo story.
Can you play Gears 5 on Xbox Series X?
Yes. Gears 5 Standard Edition and Gears 5 Ultimate Edition support Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. Check the individual listing for its format and included content. Gears 5 Ultimate Edition includes the Hivebusters expansion alongside the main game.
Does Gears 5 Ultimate Edition include Hivebusters?
Yes. Gears 5 Ultimate Edition for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One includes the Hivebusters expansion. The add-on features a 3-player squad campaign, making the Ultimate Edition a convenient choice for players who want the main story and additional campaign content together.
Which game should I buy for Black Friday 2026?
Choose Halo Infinite Campaign Standard Edition for open-world solo play or Gears 5 Ultimate Edition for a campaign with up to 3-player co-op and the Hivebusters expansion. Halo Infinite Multiplayer is the free-to-play option for players focused on online matches.