Forza Horizon 6 continues to build massive excitement as the open-world racing series heads to Japan for the first time.
It launches on May 19, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Store and Steam), and day one with Xbox Game Pass (console, PC, and cloud).
Premium Edition owners get Early Access from May 15. A PS5 version arrives later in 2026.
The game spotlights Japan's stunning landscapes—from Tokyo's bustling streets to rural touge roads, alpine mountains with year-round snow, and iconic spots like Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Tower, and the C1 Loop.
It's described as the series' biggest, densest map yet, with a huge focus on JDM culture, authentic audio, dynamic seasons, and immersive driving.
Latest News (as of mid-February 2026)
Playground Games recently highlighted 10 incredible new features revealed during the January Xbox Developer Direct (detailed in their February 9 blog post).
- Official site: Full car list, editions, and details at Forza Site
These are generating tons of buzz:
1. World Famous Japanese Landmarks — Dive into Shibuya Crossing, Ginko Avenue, Tokyo Tower, and more in the massive Tokyo city area (5x larger than previous cities in the series).
2. Alpine Snow All Year-Round — Snow in the mountains anytime (with proper tires), plus dynamic seasonal changes across the map.
3. Master the Obstacle Course Run — Wristband-unlocked Horizon Rush obstacle courses for progression and Legend status.
4. Meetups for Every Car Enthusiast — Seamless car meets, drag races, Time Attack Circuits, and 12-player events with no load screens.
5. Build Your Life — Custom garages, homes, free-build Estates, and upgraded EventLab-style CoLab for multiplayer creation.
6. Discover Rare Aftermarket Cars — Find parked rare/custom cars in the world to test drive and buy at discounts.
7. Car Proximity Radar — Blind-spot alerts for safer, more realistic racing (especially in cockpit/hood views).
8. Upgraded Audio — Remastered engine sounds, surface feedback, seasonal field recordings, and spatial audio.
9. New Customizations — Window liveries, mixed front/rear rims, tire wear visuals, and updated Forza Aero parts.
10. Steering Animations — Full up to 540° wheel rotation for ultra-immersive cockpit driving.
Other standout elements include returning wristbands/story progression, co-op campaign support, elite Legend Island unlocks, accessibility options (like High Contrast mode, Sign Language, and AutoDrive), and over 550 real-world cars at launch—heavily featuring JDM icons, kei cars, classics, and wild Forza Editions.
Pre-order bonus: Exclusive custom-tuned Ferrari J50 for any edition.
Trailers & Media
- Gameplay teaser from Developer Direct (January 2026): Showcases the 2025 Toyota GR GT Prototype tearing through Japan.
Hype on X
Fans are losing it over the JDM paradise, touge battles, progression return, and how it might drop before other big 2026 titles.
Recent posts show people pre-saving, sharing footage clips, and calling it their most anticipated game.
Official accounts like @ForzaHorizon and @Xbox_JP are dropping environmental teases, with thousands of likes on Japan-focused posts.
Pre-order now via
🇯🇵Japan awaits hype is at peak levels🏎️
