Forza Horizon 6 is now playable: Japan awaits you in the biggest open world ever

The day many Forza fans have been waiting for has finally arrived: Forza Horizon 6 has been officially available since May 19, 2026 for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and via Xbox Game Pass. The news was confirmed by Playground Games via forza.net, which also revealed the Game Pass update for the second half of May. For those who hadn't jumped into early access yet, the party truly started at that moment.

Forza Horizon 6 is set in Japan - a setting the community has been asking for for years. According to official reports, it is the biggest open world the series has ever seen, with an enormous variety of biomes: from snowy mountaintops to densely forested valleys and neon-lit city districts. The game world is full of roads, dirt paths, and drift strips, all in the signature Horizon style.

Japan as a playground: the biggest Forza Horizon ever

More than 550 cars are available to collect, tune, and race. That number surpasses the already impressive lineup of Forza Horizon 5, and the list includes both legendary JDM icons and brand-new electric hypercars. The cars are divided into numerous classes, and you can customize them in the familiar ForzaVista mode. An additional fun detail: the Japanese setting also means that real mountain passes, touge routes, and highways in the style of the Wangan are finally included again.

Regarding accessibility: Forza Horizon 6 has been on shelves since May 19, but players with a Premium Edition or the Premium Add-ons Bundle could start earlier. The general launch means that Game Pass subscribers (Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and via Cloud Gaming) can now jump in unlimitedly. Support for existing handhelds like the ROG Ally has been officially confirmed; rumors about a new Xbox Handheld have not been confirmed.

Game Pass and early access: what you need to know

The day-and-night difference between the early access period and the general release is typical for modern AAA launches. Those who paid full price for the Premium edition ($79.99, roughly €68.85) got access four days earlier. Now all Game Pass members can join without additional cost. A smart move by Microsoft: it eases server pressure in the first days and ensures hardcore fans have their head start, while the masses can join via the subscription service.

I have already spent a few hours in the Hokkaido region and I must say: the scale and liveliness are overwhelming. The weather systems are refined, the colorful festivals in the villages give the world soul, and the soundtrack - a mix of Japanese city pop, electronics, and rock - fits the setting perfectly. This does not feel like a standard sequel; Playground Games has clearly invested in a unique identity for this installment.

Earlier, Game Mania XP reported on the quality and performance modes on Xbox Series X|S. Those remain in place: on Series X you can choose between a 4K quality mode at 30 fps or a performance mode at 60 fps, and on Series S it runs smoothly at 1440p/60. On PC, the options are naturally even more extensive.

For European players, it's good to know that Xbox Game Pass prices remain unchanged - Ultimate costs €12.99 per month, PC Game Pass €9.99. The cloud version also works via mobile devices, which is ideal for those who want a quick racing weekend on the go. There are no region restrictions for the EU version, so you can start without detours.

In short: Forza Horizon 6 is a must for every racing fan. The combination of a beautiful Japan, a huge car collection, and accessibility via Game Pass makes it one of the strongest launches of the year. Have you already started your Japanese road trip? Or are you waiting for an update or a friend to join in? Let us know in the comments!