Forza Horizon 6 Upgrade Path is Causing Some Controversy

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Xbox has revealed that upgrading to the premium edition of Forza Horizon 6 will cost an additional $59.99. Gameplay footage was first shown during Xbox’s Developer Direct on January 22, and the game is scheduled to release on May 19, 2026. The developers at Playground Games, known for the Forza series, announced that the new game will launch with over 550 cars, improved accessibility features, and a new base-building feature called “The Estate.”

The recent showcase finally revealed the setting for Forza Horizon 6: Japan, confirming earlier leaks. Developers Playground Games announced that this installment will feature the biggest map in the series’ history, complete with changing seasons and recognizable real-world locations, including bustling cities. Players can also look forward to new features like an auto-drive mode and plenty of activities, including ‘Car Meets’ where they can connect with others and share their customized cars.

Forza Horizon 6 Premium Edition Price Revealed

So, I was checking out Forza Horizon 6, and the upgraded version is pretty expensive. It’s going to cost me an extra $59.99 on top of the base game’s $69.99 price tag. That means the whole package is almost $130! It’s noticeably more than what they charged for the premium versions of Forza Horizon 5 and Forza Horizon 4 when those came out – it’s about $30 more expensive than either of those.

The premium edition of Forza Horizon 6 comes with two future expansions, 30 extra cars, and the VIP and Welcome car packs, giving you car vouchers and exclusive clothing. A key benefit is four days of early access, letting premium buyers start playing on May 15, 2026. It’s worth noting that this premium edition doesn’t include a subscription to Xbox Game Pass.

Image via Xbox Game Studios

Xbox could really use some good news right now, and the recent Developer Direct event offered a clearer look at their 2026 games. However, the high price of the premium edition of Forza Horizon 6 might undo some of that progress. Fans are already concerned about rising prices for Xbox games and consoles, and the recent hardware sales numbers haven’t been great, leading to some uncertainty about where Xbox is headed.

Image via Xbox Game Studios

Even so, Playground Games is planning a robust new game with ongoing updates for Xbox. Players will have to consider if the $129.99 Premium edition is worth the cost, or if getting the standard version through the updated Game Pass Ultimate subscription is a better deal. Early gameplay shown at the Xbox Developer Direct suggests Playground Games is on track to make this the best installment yet in the franchise’s sixth major release.

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2026-01-24 02:34