Forza Horizon 6 Takes the Lead as the Top-Rated Game of the Year

Forza Horizon 6 is shaping up to be an exceptional racing game, and the buzz around it is hard to ignore. According to review aggregation metrics, this latest installment from Xbox and Playground Games has claimed the title of the highest-rated video game release of 2026.

As we approach the game’s launch on May 14, with a somewhat controversial paid early access option, reviews have started pouring in from various sources, and the consensus is overwhelmingly positive. As of Thursday at 11:30 a.m. EST, Forza Horizon 6 boasts an impressive overall rating of 92 on the review aggregator, based on 62 reviews for Xbox Series X/S. Previously, the top-rated games of 2026 included Resident Evil Requiem and Pokémon Pokopia, both sitting at an 89.

It’s no surprise that Forza Horizon 6 is receiving such high praise. The franchise has consistently delivered quality over the years, with the last three entries all achieving ratings above 90 on the same platform.

Clearly, Forza Horizon has emerged as Microsoft’s most beloved and critically acclaimed series over the past decade, outshining other franchises like Halo, Gears, and Fable. This is quite an achievement for a racing game that began as a unique offshoot of a more established series. By continually expanding the scope and creativity of each release while maintaining the excellent driving mechanics and physics from the Forza Motorsport series, Playground Games and Xbox have built one of the industry’s most successful franchises. Move over, Master Chief—Forza Horizon is the true champion of Xbox.

It’s important to note that when comparing games based on their overall ratings, the aggregator typically uses the platform with the most reviews as the primary score. For instance, Resident Evil Requiem’s 89 is derived from PS5 reviews, which may not provide a fair comparison given the disparity in Xbox reviews and ratings.