The road to the next Horizon Festival has officially begun. After years of rumors, speculation, and fan requests, Forza Horizon 6 is finally available for pre-order, and Playground Games appears ready to deliver the biggest open-world racing game in franchise history.

This time, the Horizon Festival heads to Japan — a dream setting for racing fans around the world. From neon-lit city highways and drifting mountain passes to countryside roads and dense urban districts, Forza Horizon 6 looks designed specifically for car enthusiasts.

But before launch day arrives, players face an important decision: which edition should you buy?

With multiple versions available, different DLC packages, early access perks, and Game Pass options, choosing the right edition can feel confusing. Some players only want the base game, while others plan to invest hundreds of hours into the Horizon experience.

This complete guide explains every Forza Horizon 6 Modded Accounts edition, all pre-order bonuses, pricing details, upgrade paths, and which version offers the best value depending on your playstyle.

Forza Horizon 6 Release Date

Forza Horizon 6 officially launches on May 19, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S and PC. Players who purchase the Premium Edition gain four days of early access and can begin playing on May 15.

The game will also launch day one on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, continuing Microsoft’s strategy of releasing first-party titles directly into the subscription service.

A PlayStation 5 version is also planned for later in 2026, marking a major shift for the franchise and potentially introducing Horizon to millions of new players.

The combination of cross-platform expansion, a Japanese setting, and improved progression systems has already made FH6 one of the most anticipated racing games in years.

Every Forza Horizon 6 Edition

There are currently three major editions available for pre-order:

• Standard Edition
• Deluxe Edition
• Premium Edition

Each version targets a different type of player.

Let’s break them down individually.

Standard Edition

What’s Included?

The Standard Edition includes:

• Full base game
• Ferrari J50 pre-order bonus car

Price:

• $69.99 USD

This is the most affordable way to access Forza Horizon 6 outside of Game Pass.

For many players, the Standard Edition will be enough. You still receive the complete open-world experience, all multiplayer systems, the full campaign, online events, seasonal updates, and access to future free content updates.

You are not locked out of the “real game” by choosing Standard.

That’s important because modern AAA releases sometimes fragment content aggressively between editions. FH6 appears to avoid that issue.

Who Should Buy Standard Edition?

The Standard Edition is perfect for:

• Casual players
• Newcomers to Horizon
• Players using Game Pass
• Budget-conscious gamers
• People unsure about long-term commitment

If you typically play racing games for a few weeks and move on, there may be little reason to spend extra money.

Likewise, if you already subscribe to Game Pass, buying the full Standard Edition may not make financial sense since the base game is already included.

Advantages of Standard Edition

Lowest Price

At $69.99, Standard is the cheapest entry point.

Full Core Experience

You still receive:

• The complete map
• Online multiplayer
• Story progression
• Seasonal events
• Festival playlists
• Vehicle customization
• Community features

Easier to Upgrade Later

You can always purchase expansions or car packs later if you become heavily invested in the game.

Potential Downsides

The biggest disadvantage is missing:

• Early access
• Expansion Pass
• VIP Membership
• Car Pass
• Bonus car packs

Players who become highly active in FH6 may eventually spend more money purchasing DLC separately.

Deluxe Edition

The Deluxe Edition sits between Standard and Premium.

What’s Included?

The Deluxe Edition includes:

• Full base game
• Welcome Pack
• Car Pass
• Ferrari J50 pre-order bonus

Price:

• Around $99.99 USD

This edition focuses mainly on expanding your vehicle collection.

What Is the Car Pass?

The Car Pass gives players access to additional post-launch vehicles released over time.

Historically, Horizon Car Passes include:

• Weekly car drops
• Rare vehicles
• Exclusive tuners
• New hypercars
• Classic icons
• Specialty race builds

For collectors, this can add significant long-term value.

The Japanese setting makes the Car Pass especially exciting because fans expect:

• Legendary JDM cars
• Drift builds
• Street racing icons
• Rare tuner vehicles
• Modern hypercars

What Is the Welcome Pack?

The Welcome Pack helps players get started faster.

It usually includes:

• Bonus starter cars
• Credit boosts
• Exclusive cosmetics
• Pre-tuned vehicles

For newcomers, this can make the early game smoother and more rewarding.

Why Some Fans Are Skipping Deluxe

Despite including useful content, Deluxe Edition has become the most controversial version.

The biggest reason:
It does NOT include early access.

Many players online argue that if they are already spending close to $100, they would rather pay slightly more for Premium and receive:

• Early access
• Expansions
• VIP Membership
• Additional DLC packs

As a result, many community discussions describe Deluxe as awkwardly positioned between Standard and Premium.

Premium Edition

For serious Horizon fans, the Premium Edition is the ultimate package.

What’s Included?

Premium Edition includes:

• Full game
• 4 days early access
• VIP Membership
• Welcome Pack
• Car Pass
• Time Attack Car Pack
• Italian Passion Car Pack
• Expansion 1
• Expansion 2
• Ferrari J50 pre-order bonus

Price:

• Around $119.99 USD

This edition includes nearly all planned major content for the game’s first year.

Early Access Benefits

One of the biggest reasons players buy Premium is early access.

Starting four days early offers several advantages:

• Explore the map before the crowds
• Build your garage early
• Earn credits faster
• Dominate online leaderboards
• Discover tuning setups
• Experience launch excitement immediately

For competitive or highly active players, early access can genuinely matter.

Expansion Packs Could Be Massive

Historically, Horizon expansions have been excellent.

Examples from previous games include:

• FH3 Hot Wheels
• FH4 LEGO Speed Champions
• FH5 Rally Adventure
• FH5 Hot Wheels

These expansions often introduce:

• New maps
• New gameplay systems
• Unique environments
• Additional progression
• New race types

If FH6 follows the same pattern, Expansion 1 and Expansion 2 could become major experiences on their own.

This is one reason many longtime players immediately choose Premium.

VIP Membership Explained

VIP Membership is aimed at long-term players.

Typical VIP benefits include:

• Double credit rewards
• Exclusive cosmetic items
• Weekly bonuses
• Free super wheelspins
• Faster progression
• VIP-only perks

Players planning to spend hundreds of hours in Horizon often find VIP extremely valuable.

Bonus Car Packs

Premium Edition also includes:

• Time Attack Car Pack
• Italian Passion Car Pack

These likely contain specialized performance vehicles and exotic supercars.

Combined with the Car Pass, Premium owners should receive a huge number of extra vehicles post-launch.

The Best Option for Game Pass Players

Game Pass subscribers have another choice:
the Premium Upgrade Bundle.

Instead of purchasing the full Premium Edition, subscribers can:

1. Access the base game through Game Pass
2. Buy the Premium Upgrade separately

This unlocks:

• Early access
• Expansions
• VIP Membership
• DLC packs

Without paying full price for the base game twice.

For many Xbox and PC players, this is probably the smartest overall option.

Which Edition Should You Buy?

Buy Standard Edition If:

• You only want the base game
• You play casually
• You rarely purchase DLC
• You already use Game Pass
• You prefer waiting for sales

Buy Deluxe Edition If:

• You mainly care about extra cars
• You enjoy collecting vehicles
• You don’t care about expansions
• Early access is unimportant to you

Buy Premium Edition If:

• You love the Horizon franchise
• You plan to play long-term
• You want expansions included
• You enjoy online competition
• You want early access
• You want the complete experience

Final Thoughts

Forza Horizon 6 is shaping up to become one of the biggest racing games ever released.

The Japanese setting alone has generated enormous hype, but Playground Games also appears focused on improving progression, expanding multiplayer systems, and delivering meaningful long-term content.

For casual players, the Standard Edition or Game Pass version is probably enough.

For dedicated Horizon fans, however, the Premium Edition delivers the best long-term value by bundling expansions, early access, and premium perks into one package.

No matter which edition you choose, one thing is clear:
the Horizon Festival is about to become bigger than ever.