Forza Horizon 6 confirmed for 2026, debuting on Xbox and PC before hitting PS5

Nkosana Bhulu Sep, 26 2025

What we know about Forza Horizon 6

During the Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2025 broadcast, Microsoft dropped the official announcement for Forza Horizon 6. The title is slated for a 2026 release, but it will roll out first on Xbox Series X|S and PC. PlayStation 5 owners aren’t left out – a version is in the works, but the studio didn’t give a concrete timeline for when it will hit the console.

The teaser trailer showed a sweeping view of Japan’s iconic landscapes – from neon‑lit cityscapes to tranquil coastal roads. Fans of the franchise will also spot a handful of Easter eggs referencing earlier Horizon entries, a nod to the series’ long‑time community.

PlayStation users can already add the game to their wishlist on Xbox and Steam, signalling that Microsoft wants the title to be as accessible as possible once the cross‑platform version lands.

Why Japan matters for the Horizon franchise

Playground Games’ art director Don Arceta and cultural consultant Kyoko Yamashita explained that Japan topped the wish list for Horizon fans for years. The developers say they are aiming for an authentic portrayal, using local experts to capture both the visual splendor and cultural nuances of each region.

The game will let players explore a varied Japanese terrain – mountain passes, cherry‑blossom lined streets, and bustling highways. Each environment is expected to host unique events, challenges, and vehicle tuning options tailored to the setting. The Horizon Festival, a recurring in‑game celebration, will now be set against a backdrop of traditional festivals, modern skyscrapers, and iconic landmarks.

Turn 10 Studios, the team behind the main Forza line, is teaming up with Playground Games on the PlayStation version. While the exact release window remains vague, the partnership suggests that the cross‑platform effort will preserve the series’ high standards for graphics and performance.

Forza Horizon’s previous stops have taken players from the UK’s rolling hills to Australia’s sun‑baked coast, North America’s diverse roadways, and Mexico’s vibrant streets. Japan represents the next logical step – a country with a rich car culture, a love for motorsports, and scenery that can push the series’ visual fidelity to new heights.

Launch platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC (2026)
Post‑launch: PlayStation 5 (date TBD)
Setting: Multiple Japanese regions, from urban Tokyo to rural countryside
Key collaborators: Playground Games, Turn 10 Studios, cultural consultant Kyoko Yamashita

With the announcement, Microsoft signals a strong commitment to expanding the Horizon universe while keeping the fan base engaged across consoles. The payoff for racers looking to master Japanese streets will be worth the wait.

Tags: Forza Horizon 6 Xbox Japan PlayStation 5

12 Comments

Sita De savona September 27, 2025 AT 10:58

Japan? Finally. I've been waiting for this since Horizon 2. The cherry blossoms on a rainy highway at dawn are going to be my new wallpaper.
shubham jain September 28, 2025 AT 02:32

Cross-platform release is a myth. PS5 version will be delayed until 2027 at minimum. Microsoft won't risk their exclusivity.
Aarya Editz September 29, 2025 AT 00:47

The cultural consultants matter more than the graphics. A game set in Japan without understanding the quiet reverence for roads, the rhythm of traffic, the way people treat cars as extensions of self - that’s just a pretty shell. This feels like the first time they’re trying to listen.
Nithya ramani September 30, 2025 AT 07:15

This is the moment we’ve been dreaming of. No more pretending. Japan is the heart of car culture. The way they tune their kei cars, the drift clubs in Osaka, the mountain passes in Nagano - this isn’t just a game, it’s a love letter.
Dinesh Kumar October 2, 2025 AT 06:23

I can already hear the engine notes - the way the 180SX screams on a wet twisty road near Hakone, the quiet hum of the Prius in Kyoto’s backstreets... this is going to be the most immersive Forza yet. I’m not just playing - I’m living it!
Rahul Kumar October 4, 2025 AT 03:39

wait so ps5 gets it later? but i can wishlist it on steam? that feels like a glitch or something... or is microsoft just trolling us?
GITA Grupo de Investigação do Treinamento Psicofísico do Atuante October 5, 2025 AT 16:04

One must question the ethics of a franchise that has historically portrayed non-Western cultures as aesthetic backdrops - yet now, suddenly, with the right consultants, it becomes 'authentic'. One wonders if this is cultural appreciation or cultural packaging for profit.
Sanjay Gandhi October 6, 2025 AT 20:22

I remember driving through Shikoku in 2019 - the scent of cedar, the way the fog clings to the curves near Tosa... I cried when I saw the teaser. This isn’t just a game. It’s a memory they’re giving back to us who’ve been there.
Prathamesh Potnis October 8, 2025 AT 17:55

It is important to recognize that accessibility does not mean dilution. By allowing PlayStation users to wishlist the game, Microsoft shows respect for the global community. This is not a betrayal of exclusivity - it is an act of inclusion.
anil kumar October 10, 2025 AT 06:58

They’re not just showing Japan - they’re showing the soul of it. The way the neon reflects off wet asphalt after a midnight rain, the quiet dignity of an old mechanic in a tiny garage fixing a ’94 Supra, the way kids race their modified kei cars on backroads like it’s sacred ritual... this isn’t just a racing game. It’s a poem written in horsepower.
shivam sharma October 11, 2025 AT 15:07

PS5 players better not expect the same frame rate or texture quality. Microsoft will hold back the good stuff. This is just a trick to get you to buy an xbox later. Don’t be fooled.
Shreya Prasad October 11, 2025 AT 18:01

The inclusion of cultural consultants is a commendable step toward responsible representation. It demonstrates a shift from exoticization to authentic collaboration. This approach should be the standard for all global game settings moving forward.

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