The wait is over. Forza Horizon 6 is officially out today, Tuesday May 19, 2026, taking players to Japan in what critics are already calling one of the best racing games ever made. Here is everything you need to know — from release times and Game Pass details to what reviewers are saying.
Forza Horizon 6 Release Date and What Time It Comes Out
Forza Horizon 6 releases globally on May 19, 2026, at midnight local time on Xbox Series X and S. The Steam version unlocks at 4:01 AM UTC on May 19.
In the US, the game goes live on Xbox at 9:01 PM PT on May 18 or 11:01 PM CST. Every other region gets access at 12:01 AM local time on May 19. Premium Edition buyers have had four days of early access since May 15, with over one million players already in the game ahead of today's standard launch.
Is Forza Horizon 6 on Game Pass?
Yes — the standard edition of Forza Horizon 6 is available on Xbox Game Pass from May 19. It is included for PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate members on day one. It will not be available on Game Pass Essential, Premium or the new Starter tier.
Forza Horizon 6 also supports Xbox Play Anywhere, meaning if you buy it digitally you can play across both Xbox Series X and S and PC. It is the first Forza Horizon game to skip Xbox One entirely.
What Platforms Is Forza Horizon 6 On?
Forza Horizon 6 is available on Windows and Xbox Series X and S as of May 19, 2026. A PlayStation 5 version is coming later in 2026, though a firm date has not been confirmed.
The Japan Setting — What Makes Forza Horizon 6 Special
Japan has been at the top of the Forza Horizon community's wishlist since the series launched in Colorado fourteen years ago. The mountain passes, the neon-soaked Tokyo expressways, the touge culture and the JDM heritage made it a long-standing community demand rather than just a request.
Tokyo in Forza Horizon 6 is five times the size of FH5's Guanajuato — dense, layered and genuinely navigable. Neon-lit commercial districts give way to quieter residential streets, elevated highways twist above industrial zones, and the city features a faithful recreation of the Daikoku parking area, one of Japan's most famous car-culture gathering spots.
Forza Horizon 6 Reviews — What Critics Are Saying
Forza Horizon 6 has garnered a Metacritic score of 91, with 100% of critics on OpenCritic recommending the game. Most praise centres on its sheer fun factor, breathtaking visuals, satisfying arcade gameplay and improved progression.
Critics widely agree that the Japanese setting has been entirely nailed, with authentic details, stunning roads and a map density that captures the region's essence. Many reviews also argue that cars feel and sound the best they ever have in any Forza Horizon game. The only consistent criticisms point to a lack of structural experimentation and some minor narrative shortcomings in cutscenes.
Key Details at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Developer | Playground Games |
| Publisher | Xbox Game Studios |
| Setting | Japan — Tokyo and surrounding regions |
| Platforms | Xbox Series X/S, PC (Steam + Xbox App), PS5 later |
| Standard Release | May 19, 2026 |
| Early Access | May 15, 2026 (Premium Edition) |
| Game Pass | Yes — Ultimate and PC Game Pass, day one |
| Car Roster | 550+ real-world cars |
| Metacritic Score | 91 |
| Download Size | ~150 GB (PC), ~135 GB (Xbox) |
A new Advanced Shader Delivery technology with AMD GPUs means Forza Horizon 6 boots up in just four seconds on PC instead of 90, with Microsoft claiming a 95% reduction in load times — available through the Xbox PC app.
