Video games are progressively getting bigger and bigger. Such is a side effect of increasing technological power, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. After all, a bigger file size equals a better game, right? This might not be the case for everyone, but a larger file size does typically correlate to better graphics (at the very least).
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However, when someone buys a video game, they expect to be able to play it. The problem of waiting for a 50 GB file to download is an increasing problem for gamers, but that doesn't seem to be a problem for developers. With that in mind, these are the biggest Xbox One games by file size.
Updated on May 12, 2021, by Juliet Childers: Incredible graphic fidelity and always-on internet requirements mean that new games are always hogging more resources and space. Even though the Xbox One is now considered "last-gen", many developers are still focused on creating games for it, the PS4, the Nintendo Switch, and older PC graphics cards. While some measures have been taken to reduce file size, these enormous titles' sizes all require 50 GB or more of hard drive space on the Xbox One. Pro-tip: six titles on this list require more than 100 GB of space.
15 Gears 5 - 50 - 64 GB
Gears 5 gave fans another excellent installment into the franchise with plenty of chainsaw guns and surprisingly emotional moments. There is even an update that transforms Marcus Fenix into Dave Bautista believe it or not.
But the game sticks out as having one of the larger file size requirements available. The good news is that Gears 5 is one of those install it, play it through all the way once, and then leave it alone for a while kind of games. If players want to revisit it, they can just redownload it later.
14 Grand Theft Auto V - 57 - 94 GB
Grand Theft Auto V is a monster of a video game, and it comes equipped with a suitably monstrous install size. The listed required space measures around 47 GB, although the actual required space is more like 57 GB. This isn't particularly out of the ordinary today, and many games have since surpassed it in size (including one of Rockstar's other popular franchises).
Between updates and expansions, the game can fluctuate in size. Giving up 90 GB for a game from 2013 might be a bridge too far for most gamers out there.
13 Dirt 5 - 78 GB
Dirt 5 launched an updated version for the Xbox One X, but it was an Xbox One generation title first. Players can rally race, take a virtual road trip, or do some classic races all in the same game. Furthermore, the game includes 63 buggies, trucks, and cars for peak amounts of wheel-driven fun.
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Of course, that variety comes at the cost of hard drive space. Though not nearly as bad as most of the titles on this list, Dirt 5 requires about 78 GB of space on the Xbox One.
12 The Elder Scrolls Online - 85 - 130 GB
MMORPGs tend to be beefy boys since an inherent feature of these games is an open world. Moreover, the game has constant updates and connects people from all over the world. That always requires resources and power, but (luckily) players can choose how much space they give up.
Elder Scrolls Online hovers between 85 - 130 GB in file size depending on which features, upgrades, or expansions people want. For diehard Elder Scrolls fans, keeping this on their console in a no-brainer. But for the average player, this is likely too much space to relinquish for one game.
11 Cyberpunk 2077 - 86 GB
There's no denying that Cyberpunk 2077 had one of the rockiest video game launches in all of gaming history. But now that the dust has settled, the game is in a nice spot for people to enjoy the RPG elements of the lively, futuristic underworld of Night City.
However, as all games do as they age, the title requires more console space than it did at launch. Players now need 86 GB to accommodate the game's file size.
10 Forza Motorsport 7 - 95 GB
Forza Motorsport 7 garnered a bit of controversy when people realized it came with an unbelievable 95 GB install. That sort of thing is typically reserved for massive open-world games -- not a simple racing title. Of course, this hefty size requirement includes 4K texture packs.
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The Blu-ray disc itself held about 45 GB of data, but Forza Motorsport 7 also required an additional 50 GB download (hence those texture packs). You COULD play the game without it, however, those who wanted the "definitive 'Forza' experience" (whatever that means) were forced to cough up the extra 50 GB in hard drive space.
9 ARK: Survival Evolved - 91 GB
The long asked question "What if you could fight using dinosaurs and guns?" finally got answered with ARK: Survival Evolved. Okay, so the question isn't that old or popular, but the game has addictive gameplay and still gets regular updates.
As such, it requires more and more real estate on the Xbox One hard drive. Right now, it requires about 91 GB of space -- a sacrifice only the most dedicated fans of the game are willing to make on their consoles.
8 Halo 5: Guardians - 95 GB
Halo is obviously Microsoft (and the Xbox's) ace in the hole. It's the one thing that Sony and the PlayStation can't get their hands on. Fans have plenty of theories about the next chapter in Master Chief and Cortana's saga even if many don't regard Halo 5 as a total winner in the series.
The problem with Halo 5 being a bit of a middling game is that it has a file size of about 95 GB. A game this old would only warrant that if it was one people wanted to revisit over and over again. Fortunately for Microsoft and Xbox, fans have Halo Infinite to look forward to.
7 Gears Of War 4 - 99 GB
If you thought the file size for Halo 5 was stupid, just take a look at Gears of War 4. Gears of War is another Microsoft IP and Gears of War 4 served as both the first GOW game on the Xbox One and the first for the franchise in five years. People were willing to make some room on their hard drives, but maybe not this much.
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When all was said and done, people were forking over about 100 GB in hard drive space to hold Gears 4 on their consoles. This is just a bit unacceptable for some people when it comes to a simple third-person shooter.
6 Warhammer Vermintide 2: ~100 GB
Warhammer Vermintide 2 is a great horde-style co-op game to play with friends. Slashing through crowds of anthropomorphic rat creatures while you sling fireballs never really gets old. However, in tandem with its latest update, the total file size of Vermintide 2 is about 100 GB.
People who love to play multiple games at one time might want to avoid this one despite how fun the gameplay is.
5 Red Dead Redemption 2- 110 GB
Red Dead Redemption 2 is a gargantuan, realistic recreation of the American countryside. It was many years in the making, the graphics are otherworldly, and Rockstar delivered on their promised open-world experience like no other.
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It was clear that this beast was going to eat up some prime hard drive real estate, so it came as no big shock when its base size was 88 GB. As of now, the game is up to around 110 GB in total size, but no one can resist the disarmingly ornery yet charming Arthur Morgan.
4 NBA 2k21 - 121 GB
NBA 2K is one of the longest-running and most successful sports games franchises out there. Though the gameplay varies year over year, the franchise always features fans' favorite players in great detail. So much so that the latest entry is a whopping 121 GB in size.
Despite some controversies over female MyPlayers, the game performed well long after release. But keeping the game on a system ensures that NBA 2K21 is one of the only games you'll be able to access.
3 Microsoft Flight Simulator - 127 GB
Any game that has a sprawling world for players to explore will undoubtedly take up tons of space on a hard drive. Given the nature of Microsoft Flight Simulator, it's always going to take up serious real estate. But most players would agree that the sacrifice is well worth it. Though yet unreleased, an Xbox One release has been leaked.
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After all, the game renders the world as it is in reality with stunning graphics. Many people who pick up the title just like to cruise around places they've never been to or seen before. It also provides a great change of pace from FPS or RPG titles. Unfortunately, that 127 GB is a substantial amount to give up for it.
2 Destiny 2: Beyond Light - 82 GB (With 165 GB Of Free Space Required)
Bungie is all-in on making Destiny 2 some hybrid MMO/shooter title for years to come. After the dreadful experience that was sunsetting, the community needed a morale boost. Transmogs were not that morale boost.
However, the game has seen a few expansions since the original launch -- each with varying degrees of fun and success. But that brought the total file size of Destiny 2 up to around 80 GBs. This doesn't reflect the actual size of the game, however, because it needs a full 165 GB of free space for download.
1 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare - ~200 GB
Call of Duty is a storied franchise with dozens of entries, but Call of Duty: Modern Warfare takes the cake by a huge margin against other games. The game once ballooned up to 230 GB of required space, but the developers were able to shave off about 30 GB somehow. Now, it only takes 200 GB which is totally way more doable, right?
Despite the anomalously huge file size, people still flock to the title for a realistic shooter experience.
NEXT: The 10 Biggest Xbox Series X Game File Sizes (& How Many GB They Take)