While 2026 may be the year of Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6), Microsoft’s Playground Games has just taken the curtains off Forza Horizon 6. Coming five years after the release of Forza Horizon 5, Horizon 6 is taking the action to Japan – a much sought-after setting by fans of the franchise. Playground Games dropped the first gameplay trailer showcasing a massive open-world map packed with iconic locations, 550 cars, and new gameplay features like customisable estates and intense Touge battles.
In a bid to celebrate Japanese culture, Forza Horizon 6 is featuring the Toyota GR GT supercar as its cover car. The game is slated for release on May 19, 2026, which is just months ahead of GTA 6’s promised release date in 2026. The game will be released on Microsoft’s Xbox consoles as well as Windows PC and Xbox Cloud Gaming. However, the studio hasn’t revealed any details on the release plans for the Sony PS5 generation.
Forza Horizon 6 goes to Japan
The gameplay trailer highlights a recreation of real-world Japanese landmarks, including the legendary Daikoku Parking Area—famous among car enthusiasts—the picturesque Ginkgo Avenue, a version of Mount Haruna mountain pass (iconic from Initial D), and Tokyo’s Shuto Expressway adapted for high-speed gameplay. There’s also a possible nod to an Ebisu Circuit-style track and twisty mountain roads reminiscent of Fujimi Kaido from Forza Motorsport 2023.
Playground Games states that Japan’s map promises the largest urban area in Forza Horizon history, blending beautiful visuals with narrow, challenging paths perfect for drifting and exploration — something that the franchise’s fanbase has been demanding for a while.
New gameplay features: Custom maps, car meets, and touge mode
Forza Horizon 6 introduces new customisation options, such as “The Estate” — a mountain valley where players can build their own drivable maps by placing buildings, plants, and roads, which others can visit and drive. Garages are now fully customisable with posters and paint schemes, while the Daikoku Parking Area serves as a hub for car meets, enabling trading of paints, tunes, and vehicles.
A standout addition is “Touge Battle” mode, pitting players in 1v1 duels on treacherous mountain passes. The livery editor has been upgraded to include windows for more detailed designs. The car roster boasts 550 vehicles, with fresh Japanese additions like the X100 Toyota Chaser, Daihatsu Copen, and Honda Beat, echoing fan-favorite imports from previous titles such as Nissan GT-R, Toyota Supra and several Forza-edition versions of the same.
At launch, Forza Horizon 6 will compete with Ubisoft’s The Crew Motorfest, EA’s Need For Speed Unbound, and its predecessor, Forza Horizon 5. The game will be released on the Xbox Series X/S consoles as well as Xbox Cloud Gaming and Steam on PC.