Xbox Series X just got another 120Hz-compatible game – and it's free with Xbox Game Pass

Sea of Thieves
(Image credit: Microsoft)

Your days of motion-induced sea sickness are over: Sea of Thieves will now run at a buttery-smooth 120 frames per second on Xbox Series X.

The visual upgrade was announced in a post on Xbox Wire, where it detailed some of the big changes coming to Rare’s pirate epic. These changes include a whole slew of brand-new Lost Shipment Voyages and 100 levels of premium rewards. The update will be free for all players with Xbox Game Pass and across Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Windows 10 PC and Steam. 

The catch here is that the game will only run at 120 frames per second on Xbox Series X in 1080p – not full 4K – and in an extended FAQ Microsoft says that some TVs might not support both HDR and Performance Mode simultaneously, which means you might have to manually disable HDR. 

That being said, if you want to see the seas in all their glory, 4K/60 with HDR is still an option if you so choose thanks to the update that came to the game back in November when Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S first launched. 

Expanding the horizon for higher frame rate console games 

Since the consoles’ launch a few months ago, we haven’t seen many 120fps Performance Mode games – at least, not as many as we thought there’d be considering that Microsoft made 4K/120 such a selling point for the console. 

Adding a Performance Mode for Sea of Thieves doesn’t completely remedy the situation, but it certainly is a push in the right direction, especially considering that the game is so widely available via Xbox Game Pass.

Microsoft’s next big first-party high-framerate game, Halo Infinite, isn't due out until much later this year, so be sure to pace yourself on your smooth-sailing adventure and don't breeze right through it. 

Nick Pino

Nick Pino is Managing Editor, TV and AV for TechRadar's sister site, Tom's Guide. Previously, he was the Senior Editor of Home Entertainment at TechRadar, covering TVs, headphones, speakers, video games, VR and streaming devices. He's also written for GamesRadar+, Official Xbox Magazine, PC Gamer and other outlets over the last decade, and he has a degree in computer science he's not using if anyone wants it.

Latest in Xbox Series X | S
Xbox Series X Digital Edition deal
Stop what you're doing and check out this Xbox Series X Black Friday deal – it probably won't be beaten
The three new Xbox Series console variants on a stand at Gamescom 2024
Where to buy the new Xbox Series X and S consoles - including the gorgeous Galaxy Black 2TB machine
Final Fantasy 14
Final Fantasy 14 on Xbox Series X|S will require Xbox Game Pass to play when it launches in full
Baldur's Gate 3 Astarion
Baldur’s Gate 3 Xbox missing save problem will soon be fixed for good as firmware issue has been found
Final Fantasy 14 Y'shtola
Final Fantasy 14 Xbox open beta will kick off next month says director
The Xbox series X on a blue background with the words "Price Cut"
Save $120 on the Xbox Series X in the second-best deal we've ever seen
Latest in News
Google Pixel 9 Pro
Here are the 7 best Pixel 9 and Pixel Watch 3 features landing in March’s Pixel Feature Drop
Bang & Olufsen Beogram 4000C Saint Laurent Rive Droite Edition
Bang & Olufsen's latest reworked turntable is a masterpiece of retro revival, in a breathtaking wooden presentation box
Apple Watch Series 10
Apple unveils new Apple Watch bands – here's what's in the Spring 2025 collection
iPad Air M3
Apple makes one hardware change to the iPad Air that might be the best indicator of its true lightweight tablet intentions
Shure MoveMic 88+ lifestyle image
Shure's tiny MoveMic 88+ gives creators a cheap and easy way to record crystal clear audio on a smartphone
An operator fires a saw blade from a weapon
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Season 3 gets two-week delay, will now release in April