What changed most: The most significant shift is the undeniable financial success of a long-standing Xbox exclusive on a rival platform, demonstrating a vast untapped market and potentially influencing Microsoft’s future multi-platform strategy, particularly for the upcoming Forza Horizon 6.
- Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5
- Release:
- Forza Horizon 5: (PC, Xbox); (PS5)
- Forza Horizon 6: Later in 2026 (PC, Xbox Series X|S at launch)
- Price: $59.99 (Forza Horizon 5 Standard Edition)
- Developer: Playground Games
- Genre: Racing
According to a report from Alinea Analytics, Forza Horizon 5‘s PS5 port, released in , has been a runaway hit, surpassing 5 million copies sold and generating $300 million in revenue for Xbox from PlayStation players. This makes it by far the most successful Xbox port on PS5, even outselling the combined total of the next four Xbox titles on the platform. For comparison, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle reportedly sold 491,000 copies on PS5, while Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 moved 5.2 million units on PlayStation 5 in 2025.
The current installment, Forza Horizon 5, is famously set in a vibrant, diverse representation of Mexico, offering players an expansive open world to explore with hundreds of cars. Its PS5 release introduced a new wave of players to its dynamic seasons, breathtaking expeditions, and various cooperative and competitive game modes, including Horizon Arcade and The Eliminator.
Looking ahead, Forza Horizon 6 has been officially revealed and is slated for release later in . Notably, this next iteration is confirmed to be the first in the series to take place in Japan. However, much like its predecessor’s delayed PS5 arrival, Forza Horizon 6 will initially launch exclusively on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with a PlayStation 5 release held back until a later, unspecified date.
The success of Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 has ignited significant discussion within the gaming community. Many players are thrilled to finally experience the acclaimed racing series, while analysts like Rhys Elliott from Alinea Analytics suggest that Microsoft’s decision to delay the PS5 release for Forza Horizon 6 might be a missed opportunity. This strategy, while securing substantial revenue for Xbox on rival platforms, creates anticipation (and some frustration) among PlayStation players eager for day-one access to upcoming titles.
For gamers who thrive on open-world racing, Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 is a proven hit, delivering incredible value even years after its initial launch. Its impressive sales figures on PlayStation highlight the immense demand for Xbox’s first-party titles across platforms. While Forza Horizon 6 promises a thrilling new setting in Japan, PlayStation players will unfortunately have to wait. It’s a strategic move by Microsoft that continues to pay off in the short term, but whether it fosters goodwill or simply builds pent-up demand remains to be seen. Keep an eye on official Forza channels for any updates on Forza Horizon 6‘s PlayStation debut.
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