Playground Games has officially unveiled Forza Horizon 6, and it’s taking the Horizon Festival to the vibrant heart of Japan. Set to launch first on Xbox Series X|S and PC in 2026—with a PS5 version arriving later—this next chapter promises an immersive celebration of Japan’s rich culture and stunning landscapes.
The Big Reveal
The announcement dropped during the Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2025 broadcast, kicking off with a captivating teaser that set the tone: a game deeply inspired by the spirit of Japan in every detail. Best of all, Forza Horizon 6 will be available on Day One via Game Pass on console and PC. For all the official news, check out the detailed post on the Forza website, while Xbox Wire offers a fascinating developer Q&A exploring the authentic art direction, city design, and seasonal systems shaping the game. —
What is Forza Horizon 6?
At its core, Forza Horizon is open-world driving infused with festival energy. Horizon 6 builds on this formula with expansive free exploration, hand-crafted race routes, skill challenges, dynamic photo ops, and a constant drive to collect cars and chase events. Rather than pure simulation, the handling balances accessibility and depth to make city streets, mountain runs, and dirt trails feel alive and engaging. Japan adds fresh texture: tight urban grids, neon-lit rainy nights, tranquil mountain sunrises, and country roads perfect for cruising or time trials. —
A New Playground: Japan
The game’s world isn’t a replica of Japan but a seamless blend of iconic locations—Mount Fuji’s majestic presence, bustling city skylines, serene rural valleys, and scenic coastal waters. This contrast between traditional and modern Japan creates driving experiences that shift every few minutes, from narrow shrines beside arcades and tuning shops to stretches that balance high-speed runs with tight technical challenges. —
Why Japan?
Forza Horizon is a celebration of car culture intertwined with local traditions. Japan’s legendary automotive history, tuning scenes, and vibrant drifting culture perfectly align with the series’ DNA. Beyond cars, its music, fashion, and festival customs enrich the Horizon fantasy. The country’s compact geography packs diverse seasons and terrain into one map, offering dramatic shifts and immersive variety without losing scale. —
Exciting New Features and Tech Innovations
Tokyo City and Elevated Roads One of Playground’s most detailed urban environments yet, Tokyo City features multi-level roads inspired by technology from Forza Horizon 5’s Hot Wheels expansion. This means unique vertical routes and freeride opportunities, creating fresh race designs that stand apart from previous entries.
Seasonal Systems Tailored to Japan Seasons come alive with more than just visual changes—expect shifts in ambient sounds, local activities, and atmosphere throughout spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Iconic moments like Sakura season promise breathtaking scenery and gameplay that respond to the passing year. —
Gameplay and Progression
Festival Activities Reimagined Classic Horizon events return with options to race, stunt, complete PR challenges, dive into story chapters, and hunt collectibles—all tied to local culture and geography. Urban sprints demand precision, mountain roads test grip and bravery, and rural mixed surfaces shine like never before. Festival outposts serve as hubs for progression, unlocking cars and new map areas.
A Curated Garage While no car list is out yet, expect an expansive roster featuring Japanese icons, global classics, and modern exotics. Kei cars, drift machines, time attack builds, and tuner favorites fit naturally into the setting, complemented by upgrade paths and cosmetics inspired by Japan’s vibrant scenes. —
Immersive Audio and Presentation
With cultural consultants involved, the tiniest sound details—from station chimes to summer wind bells—bring Japan to life audibly. Cars roar with realistic engine notes enhanced by urban acoustics like reflections and occlusion, immersing players in Tokyo’s layers. The soundtrack blends Japanese artists and festival vibes without losing Horizon’s international flair. —
Driving Feel and Skill
Forza Horizon 6 hits the sweet spot between accessibility and depth. Expect city driving to emphasize quick decisions and rhythm, mountain roads to challenge throttle and gear control, and dirt routes to reward on-the-fly grip reading. Newcomers can lean on assists, while experts can go full manual for maximum mastery. —
Exploration and Replay Value
Hidden vistas, secret shortcuts, and photo-worthy spots await discovery. Japan’s seasonal shifts mean revisiting favorite locations offers fresh visual compositions and driving experiences. Whether a quiet shrine courtyard or a panoramic port overlook, exploration is richly rewarding. —
Multiplayer and Social Play
Co-op and competitive modes return, enhanced by a map perfect for meetups, convoy cruises, photo shoots, and impromptu races. Ranked leaderboards and seasonal events keep competition fresh and engaging. —
Availability and Monetization
Launching in 2026 on Xbox Series X|S and PC with Day One Game Pass access, and later on PS5, Forza Horizon 6 follows a clean model of a core game plus optional expansions and car packs. The official announcement at Forza.net and the Xbox Wire Q&A provide all the key details. —
Supporting New Players
Horizon 6 welcomes newcomers with a gentle learning curve built into the festival structure. Players quickly gain a solid garage, work toward dream cars, and unlock fast travel. Assists help ease players in, with plenty of laid-back activities between competitive races. —
Evolving the Series
Rather than reinventing the wheel, Forza Horizon 6 refines what fans love—dense, contrasting environments, standout cities, immersive seasons, and a rich cultural thread driven by extensive research and consultation. Elevated roads add new vertical dynamics, all within the familiar, high-quality Horizon production model. —
Why the Tokyo Game Show Reveal Matters
Announcing in Tokyo signals a genuine dedication to representing Japan as a living, breathing world, not just a backdrop. This respect promises meaningful cultural detail and an authentic experience, shaping every aspect of the game and inviting global players into Japan’s car culture. —
Final Thoughts
Forza Horizon 6 delivers on the series’ most requested setting with ambition, authenticity, and heart. From Tokyo’s urban sprawl to serene countryside, from crisp seasonal shifts to deeply embedded cultural touches, it’s a fresh yet familiar festival for open-world driving fans. Mark your calendar for 2026 on Xbox Series X|S and PC—and get ready to chase new roads and new thrills in Japan. For official updates, visit Forza.net and explore the developer insights on Xbox Wire.
