Get ready to hit the vibrant streets and breathtaking landscapes of Japan! Microsoft has officially pulled back the curtain on Forza Horizon 6, the next exhilarating chapter in the wildly popular open-world arcade racing franchise. As rumors hinted, this installment is set to explore the stunning beauty and thrilling roads of Japan.
Players can expect to launch into action on Xbox Series S/X and PC in 2026. While an exact date for PlayStation 5 hasn’t been announced, developer Playground Games has confirmed that the game will also arrive on Sony’s console post-launch, much to the excitement of a broader audience.
The grand reveal took place during Microsoft’s Tokyo Game Show broadcast on September 25, following a flurry of leaks that had already set the gaming world abuzz about a Japan-centric Forza title. Xbox saved the best for last, making Forza Horizon 6 the final, climactic announcement of the showcase. Xbox boss Phil Spencer captured the sentiment perfectly, stating, “No better place to announce the next Forza Horizon than right here at TGS.”
The minute-long reveal trailer was a nostalgic journey, showcasing license plates from various countries that previously hosted Horizon Festivals, before dramatically settling on a Japanese number plate and panning to the majestic Mount Fuji. It was a powerful visual cue that instantly confirmed the community’s long-held hopes.
Experience Japan in Forza Horizon 6
Playground Games enthusiastically shared their vision on the Forza website: “In Forza Horizon 6, you will get to discover a scenic and breathtaking Japan, where you will build up your racing status to become a Legend at the Horizon Festival.” They acknowledged the immense anticipation, adding, “As you already know, Japan has been one of the most iconic and requested locations by the Forza Horizon community. We are so excited for you to experience it, and we can’t wait to share more details on Forza Horizon 6 early next year.”
Beyond the picturesque Mount Fuji, Tokyo will feature prominently as a playable location. Don Arceta, the game’s art director, elaborated in an Xbox Wire post: “While we’re not announcing too much in terms of detail right now, we’re excited to show fans the true breadth of beauty – both natural and urban environments – that Japan has to offer. From the neon lights and towering buildings of Tokyo City – one of our most detailed and layered environments to date – to the serenity and natural beauty of Japan’s rural and mountain areas, we think players will be blown away by the open world of Japan that we have built.”
Arceta also confirmed that the game will boast an extensive collection of cars and dive deep into Japan’s rich car culture. A beloved feature making its return from Forza Horizon 4 is seasonal changes, with spring, summer, autumn, and winter dynamically altering the landscape and gameplay experience beyond mere aesthetics.
Turn 10 Studios, known for their work on the Forza Motorsport series, is lending its expertise to Playground Games for Forza Horizon 6. The game will be available to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers right at launch. While a PlayStation 5 release is confirmed, there’s no official word yet on a potential Nintendo Switch 2 port.
Currently, Forza Horizon 6 doesn’t have a precise release date, but fans can already add it to their wishlists on the Microsoft Store and Steam. Microsoft has promised more exciting details and potentially gameplay footage to be unveiled in early 2026.