The Forza Horizon franchise turned the open-world racing genre into a celebration of speed, music, and endless exploration. What started as a daring spin-off from Forza Motorsport quickly carved out its own identity. Each entry in the series built on the last, piling on more spectacle, better graphics, and innovative ideas.
Here’s our list, ranking every Forza Horizon game from worst to best.
5. Forza Horizon 2 (2014)
Forza Horizon 2 took us on a tour down Europe, all the way from Côte d’Azur beaches to Alpine passes, featuring dynamic weather that soaked tracks and affected handling. It featured a map five times bigger than the original game, double the cars, and seamless multiplayer. Drivatars made the races feel alive, and events like bucket-list challenges offered a variety.
They improved on the first game without stuffing it with unnecessary bloat. Night racing, convoy systems for crew, and just better driving physics all around. The game did get some backlash for having festival checkpoints that came in the way of races, and the rivals didn’t really stick with you for long. Still, it kept racers hooked with polished physics, always chasing “just one more race”. This was the game that proved Forza Horizon was serious about claiming a legacy.
4. Forza Horizon 1 (2012)
The original Forza Horizon crashed the party in Colorado’s wild mountains, mixing a rock festival storyline with arcade-sim racing. Gamers praised it for tight handling and rival showdowns against quirky bosses like Flynt the Scallywag. Earning bracelets via street races built tension, and the soundtrack hyped you up like no other. Even at 30fps, it felt raw but revolutionary for its time. Before GTA Online, this was as close to freedom as open-world racing got.
Veteran fans love its focus on single-player playability and a progression system that feels balanced, free from loot boxes and endless spam. No wasted mapping either, every road led to action. Sure, the graphics are obviously dated now, and there’s no dynamic weather along with a smaller car roster. However, it was a solid hit for its time, capturing the festival feeling and starting a racing dynasty. If you want to experience the original Forza Horizon, it’s still playable today via backward compatibility..
3. Forza Horizon 5 (2021)
Forza Horizon 5 launched with sky-high expectations. It gave us Mexico’s diverse biomes, from deserts to jungles and urban areas. The game featured over 500 cars at launch, ray-traced reflections, and seamless multiplayer. New modes like Eliminator battle royale and EventLab for custom races added creativity, while expeditions let you recruit mechanics for upgrades.
Yet, longtime fans still get frustrated. Multiplayer feels ghosted and buggy compared to previous games in the franchise. Matchmaking can be a mess, and the skills system favors grind over skill. The map, while huge, feels kind of stitched together and lacks Forza Horizon 3’s cohesive vibe. Many fans call it “FH4 Lite”, bloated with microtransactions and weaker progression.
Sure, there is a ton of content depth, but the polish slips fast when you’re sitting alone in multiplayer lobbies. It’s a great game for new players, but it leans more on flashy polish than raw feel.
2. Forza Horizon 4 (2018)
Forza Horizon 4 was set in Britain’s rolling hills and castles, and for the first time featured dynamic seasons that cycled every week. Roads iced over, leaves blew around, and the world truly felt dynamic. It featured a roster of over 450 cars, Auction House trading, and custom events that turned the game into a social hub for virtual racers all around. Forzathon events and house customizations kept festivals lively.
Horizon 4 had something to love for everyone: it was super accessible for casual newcomers, yet deep enough for car enthusiasts. Online multiplayer thrives with reliable lobbies and ranked series. Any Forza Horizon fan would agree that this is the most replayable title despite its minor flaws. It still doesn’t capture the raw feeling of racing as Horizon 3 did, but it was far more of a hit among racing fans. It’s a crowd-pleaser title, no question.
1. Forza Horizon 3 (2016)
Ask the diehard fans, and they’ll say Forza Horizon 3 holds the throne when it comes to ranking the best entry in the series. Australia’s sun-drenched outbacks, beaches, and rainforests looked incredible. Playground Games outdid themselves: epic off-road adventures, wild stunt jumps, underground street races, and car physics that just say right.
No wasted space, every road begged exploration and led to something new. Online events and championships felt natural, not forced. Sure, the indestructible walls annoyed purists, but the diverse map and soundtrack perfection are the best the series has yet. Progression felt fair and fun, not grindy. Horizon 4 might have wider appeal, but Horizon 3’s the one that real fans glaze on.
Forza Horizon 6: What It Needs to Top FH3
The hype continues building around Forza Horizon 6, set for a May 19, 2026, launch. Playground Games is riding the wave after Forza Horizon 5’s success, setting up the next entry in the series for a successful launch.
To dethrone Forza Horizon 3, Playground Games has to leave behind Horizon 5’s multiplayer issues: no more ghosting, no more empty arcades, and reworked ranked matchmaking. Bring back those Horizon 1-style rivals that really left a mark on you. Horizon 6’s Japan setting looks promising, and newer generation hardware could finally support gameplay depth that feels like a leap from previous entries.
EventLab 2.0 holds real potential for player-words and cross-play polish. Get the driving physics right, and make us actually feel the car without transitioning into a simulation racing game. And of course, make the festivals feel alive again.
If Forza Horizon 6 manages to capture the same essence of Horizon 3’s vibe with modern tech, it can completely redefine the series. Fingers crossed, Horizon 6 could shape what open-world racing means in the gaming industry.
