Forza Horizon 6 Races To Japan With Massive Map

Forza Horizon 6, the latest chapter in Xbox’s beloved open-world racing series, is revving up for a grand debut this May—and this time, the action shifts to Japan, a setting fans have clamored for over the years. After months of speculation, leaks, and tantalizing developer teases, Playground Games confirmed during the recent Xbox Developer Direct that Forza Horizon 6 will launch on May 19, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S and PC, with early access beginning May 15 for those who spring for the Premium Edition. PlayStation 5 owners, meanwhile, will need to wait until later in 2026 to join the festival, as the PS5 version is still in the works.

So, what’s new in this latest entry? For starters, the map is enormous—by far the biggest Playground Games has ever built for the series. According to art director Don Arceta, the virtual Japan in Forza Horizon 6 dwarfs every previous map, with Tokyo itself standing as the most complex and intricate city the developers have ever crafted. Players will be able to tear through neon-lit city streets, cruise the suburbs, and explore the breathtaking rural mountains, all rendered with jaw-dropping detail and authenticity. The setting isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a living, breathing playground that promises to immerse players in Japanese car culture like never before (as reported by IGN and Xbox Wire).

This time around, Forza Horizon 6 shakes up the formula in a big way. Gone is the “superstar” protagonist of past games. Instead, players step into the shoes of a tourist—quite literally starting out on the roadside in Japan, outside the legendary Horizon Festival. As design director Torben Ellert explained during the Developer Direct, "You don't start this game as the boss of the festival or a legendary driver or a superstar. You quite literally begin the game on the roadside in Japan as a tourist outside the festival." The journey from humble beginnings to festival fame is at the heart of the new progression system, and players will need to earn their way into the festival’s inner circle, picking up wristbands and rising through the ranks.

But you won’t be alone on your journey. Two new characters—Jordy, a passionate motorsports enthusiast, and Mei, an experienced Japanese car builder—will guide you, offering insider perspectives as you navigate Japan’s diverse landscapes and car culture. According to IGN, this narrative twist aims to give players a richer, more personal experience as they work their way up from driving beat-up rust buckets to piloting the most exotic supercars on the planet.

Speaking of supercars, Forza Horizon 6 boasts a staggering roster of vehicles right out of the gate. At launch, players can expect to get behind the wheel of approximately 550 cars, the highest number ever offered at the start of a Horizon game. The cover stars this time are the 2025 Toyota GR GT Prototype and the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, marking the first occasion two vehicles from the same manufacturer have shared the spotlight. The GR GT, in particular, is a highlight—Playground Games had early access to pre-production models, allowing them to meticulously recreate the car for the game. As Toyota’s chief project manager, Takashi Doi, emphasized, “Sound is an indispensable, very important part of the whole vehicle and the whole experience. It's the element that gives you the most excitement.” Ellert added that capturing the GR GT’s authentic audio required “so many microphones,” ensuring that whether you’re behind the wheel or watching another player roar past, the experience is true to life (as reported by Car and Driver).

Forza Horizon has always been about more than just racing, and this latest installment doubles down on that philosophy. Players can cruise with friends in online multiplayer, just as in previous games, but Forza Horizon 6 introduces some fresh social features. Notably, players can now build custom tracks together, host car meets, and even construct their own personal homes and race tracks—a first for the franchise. The new “Estate” feature lets players develop a sprawling plot of land in the mountains, placing buildings and roads, and then inviting friends over for a tour. It’s a big leap toward making the Horizon world feel like your own digital car haven (according to Xbox Wire and IGN).

Progress isn’t just about racking up wins and unlocking cars. Forza Horizon 6 introduces a journal system that tracks your adventures, races, and discoveries across Japan. Whether you’re gunning for the next big race or just chilling and jamming out to tunes, every moment and achievement gets logged, letting players look back on their journey through the festival.

The game’s visual style also pays homage to its Japanese setting. The cover art, for example, draws on Sumi-e, the traditional Japanese ink painting style, blending paper textures and vibrant colors to create a look that’s both modern and steeped in cultural tradition. This attention to detail extends to the in-game world, where players can expect everything from bustling Tokyo intersections to serene countryside vistas, all brought to life with the ForzaTech engine.

Of course, Forza Horizon 6 isn’t launching in a vacuum. Microsoft’s previous experiment bringing Forza Horizon 5 to PlayStation 5 proved a hit, with the port reportedly surpassing five million sales. That success paved the way for a quicker turnaround on the PS5 version of Horizon 6, though PlayStation racers will still have to be patient for their turn behind the wheel. In the meantime, other Japanese-themed racers like JDM: Japanese Drift Master and Tokyo Xtreme Racer are heading to Sony’s console, offering fans a taste of what’s to come.

As for surprises, Playground Games couldn’t resist dropping a brief tease of a hulking Gundam during the Developer Direct livestream—a nod to Japanese pop culture that’s sure to set imaginations racing about potential future events or collaborations.

With its sprawling map, deep roster of cars, innovative social features, and a fresh narrative approach, Forza Horizon 6 looks poised to be more than just another sequel. It’s a love letter to car culture, a celebration of Japan, and a bold leap forward for one of gaming’s most beloved racing franchises. The countdown to May is on, and for racing fans, it can’t come soon enough.