Forza Horizon 5 finally arrives on PS5 on April 25th, plus bonus Horizon Realms update coming to all platforms

In a move that would have seemed unthinkable just a few years ago, Microsoft’s critically acclaimed racing game Forza Horizon 5 is officially coming to PlayStation 5 on April 29, 2025. This marks another significant step in Microsoft’s strategy to bring its first-party titles to a broader audience beyond the Xbox ecosystem.

Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 release details and editions

PlayStation 5 owners will have three different editions to choose from, all available for pre-order now on the PlayStation Store:

1. Standard Edition ($59.99) – Includes the base game only.
2. Deluxe Edition ($79.99) – Includes the base game and Car Pass.
3. Premium Edition ($99.99) – Includes everything in the Deluxe Edition plus the Welcome Pack, VIP Membership, Hot Wheels expansion, Rally Adventure expansion, and four days of early access beginning April 25.

Players who purchase the Premium Edition will get to start racing four days early on April 25, while Standard and Deluxe Edition owners will gain access on April 29. The pricing has raised some eyebrows in the gaming community, considering the game originally released in 2021 for Xbox and PC.

Technical performance on PS5

The PlayStation 5 version will offer two distinct graphics modes:

1. Performance Mode – Targets 60 frames per second (fps)
2. Quality Mode – Targets 30 fps with enhanced visual fidelity

PS5 Pro owners will receive additional benefits, with Performance mode featuring increased visual fidelity, and Quality mode adding ray-traced car reflections to races and free roam – a feature otherwise limited to photo modes on the standard PS5.

The PS5 version is being developed by Panic Button in collaboration with Turn 10 Studios and Playground Games, ensuring the game maintains its high quality across platforms. One of the most exciting aspects of this release is the inclusion of cross-play functionality, allowing PlayStation 5 players to race against friends on Xbox and PC. This feature should significantly boost the player count and ensure a thriving online community across all platforms.

Horizon Realms update

Coinciding with the PS5 release, Forza Horizon 5 will receive a substantial free update called Horizon Realms on April 25 across all platforms. This update adapts previously time-limited events from the Evolving World update, bringing back 11 popular locations and adding one completely new one:

1. Stunt Park
2. Ice Rink
3. Oval Track
4. Summer Party
5. Neon Airstrip
6. Día de Muertos
7. Winter Wonderland
8. Lunar Drift Arena
9. Retrowave Highway
10. Cars and Coffee
11. Stadium Maze
12. Horizon Stadium Circuit (new)

These locations can be played in either Skill Score mode, where players try to bank enough points to climb a leaderboard, or Free mode, which focuses on casual exploration and earning Badges. The update will also introduce new PlayStation Trophies, in-game badges, and accolades that will unlock new reward cars for the first time.

Complete content package on PS5

PlayStation 5 players will receive the complete Forza Horizon 5 experience, including all content available on Xbox and PC versions. This means access to nearly 900 cars, the expansive open-world Mexico setting, and both major expansions (Hot Wheels and Rally Adventure). The game will also feature hundreds of challenges, custom race creation tools, and extensive car customization options.

Forza Horizon 5’s arrival on PlayStation 5 represents a significant shift in Microsoft’s gaming strategy. As one of Xbox’s flagship franchises since the original Xbox, Forza has long been considered a cornerstone exclusive for the platform. This move follows other former Xbox exclusives like Sea of Thieves and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle making their way to PlayStation.

Industry analysts suggest this trend reflects the changing economics of game development, with the increasing costs of creating AAA titles pushing publishers to maximize their potential audience. This has led to speculation about which other Xbox franchises might eventually come to PlayStation, with rumors swirling about potential Halo and Gears of War releases in the future.

Why PlayStation 5 owners should be excited

@forzahorizon

🔔 IT’S TIME🔔

♬ original sound – Forza Horizon

For PlayStation 5 owners who have never experienced Forza Horizon 5, they’re in for a treat. The game received universal acclaim upon its original release, with IGN awarding it a perfect 10/10 score and calling it “the result of a racing studio at the peak of its craft and the best open-world racing game I’ve ever played.”

The game’s vibrant open world set in Mexico features diverse environments including living deserts, lush jungles, historic cities, hidden ruins, pristine beaches, vast canyons, and a towering snow-capped volcano. Dynamic seasons and weather events like dust storms and tropical storms ensure the world constantly evolves, providing fresh experiences with each play session.

With its arrival on PlayStation 5, Forza Horizon 5 is poised to introduce a whole new audience to what many consider one of the finest racing games ever created, while continuing to blur the traditional boundaries between gaming platforms.