Choose Forza Horizon 5 if you want a festival campaign set across Mexico, with expeditions, Horizon Stories, and a mix of competitive and co-op modes. Choose The Crew Motorfest if themed event playlists, a Hawaiian setting, and Ubisoft’s evolving seasonal content appeal more. Neither is a universal winner: your platform, friends’ platforms, internet connection, and preferred event structure matter more than a blanket verdict.
At a glance
| What matters | Forza Horizon 5 | The Crew Motorfest |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Mexico, with varied biomes and changing weather, according to the PlayStation product page. | A Hawaiian driving festival. Ubisoft’s current page also describes additional islands in its Year 4 plans; planned content is not the same as content already available. See Ubisoft’s game page. |
| Event structure | A broad campaign featuring expeditions, Horizon Stories, and hundreds of challenges, as described by PlayStation. | Themed Playlists, with some races allowing loaned vehicles; completed Playlists can be replayed with customizable events, according to Ubisoft’s Starting Guide. |
| Multiplayer | Horizon Open competitive formats and Horizon Tour co-op are described in Forza’s launch overview. | Ubisoft describes cross-play, cross-progression, online races, and Live Competitions for up to 32 players in its Starting Guide. |
| Listed platforms | PS5, Xbox, and PC in the official materials cited here; see Forza’s PS5 FAQ for PS5 availability and cross-play information. | Ubisoft currently lists PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2 on its game page. Regional availability may differ. |
| Online requirement | Offline availability is not established by the official sources cited here. | Ubisoft’s product listing says a permanent internet connection is required to play. |
Which game’s world and events suit you?
Pick Forza Horizon 5 for a broad festival campaign
Forza Horizon 5 presents the Horizon Festival across Mexico. Its official description emphasizes multiple biomes, dynamic weather, expeditions, Horizon Stories, and a large collection of challenges. If you want varied activities gathered under one festival campaign, that structure is the stronger fit.
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Pick Motorfest for themed Playlists
Motorfest organizes much of its campaign around themed Playlists. The structure gives you a sequence of events linked by a subject rather than only a general festival progression. Ubisoft’s guide says some Playlist races let you use loaned cars, and completed Playlists can be replayed as customizable events. That may suit you if curated themes and revisiting events are part of the appeal.
Let the setting decide only if you have a preference
Forza’s setting is Mexico; Motorfest’s is Hawaii. Ubisoft promotes additional islands as part of its Year 4 roadmap, so check its current game page to distinguish announced plans from released content. These official descriptions establish the settings and features, not which map is larger or better designed.
#1 Best Overall
![Forza Horizon 5 – Premium Edition – Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51SeBIPzMvL._SL160_.jpg)
- REDEMPTION INSTRUCTIONS: Go to "Your Orders" and click "View Order" to receive install code. Xbox: Microsoft Store App --> Redeem --> Input code. Window: Xbox App --> Store --> Redeem --> Input code.
- The Premium Edition includes the Welcome Pack, Car Pass, VIP Membership, Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels expansion, and Forza Horizon 5 Rally Adventure expansion.
- NEW RALLY ADVENTURE EXPANSION - Drive purpose-built rally monsters and conquer the rugged Sierra Nueva. Feel the intensity of massive dust trails and deformable roads in 10 new cars. Play on March 29th, 2023.
- Explore a world of striking contrast and beauty. Discover living deserts, lush jungles, historic cities, hidden ruins, pristine beaches, vast canyons, and a towering snow-capped volcano.
- Take on awe-inspiring weather events such as towering dust storms and intense tropical storms as Mexico’s unique, dynamic seasons change the world every week. Keep coming back for new events, rewards, and new areas to explore.
Which is the better fit for playing with friends?
Both games have official cross-play statements, but the modes and terminology differ. Forza describes Horizon Open for competitive play and Horizon Tour for co-op in its launch overview. Motorfest’s guide describes cross-play and cross-progression, alongside online races and Live Competitions that Ubisoft says support up to 32 players.
Before buying for a group, confirm that the exact platforms your friends use can play together and that the mode you want supports your setup. Cross-play does not by itself guarantee that every activity, platform combination, or feature works identically.
Rank #2
- Lead breathtaking expeditions across the vibrant and ever-evolving open world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in hundreds of the world’s greatest cars.
- Explore a world of striking contrast and beauty. Discover living deserts, lush jungles, historic cities, hidden ruins, pristine beaches, vast canyons, and a towering snow-capped volcano.
- Immerse yourself in a deep campaign with hundreds of challenges that reward you for engaging in the activities you love. Meet new characters and choose the outcomes of their Horizon Story missions.
- Take on awe-inspiring weather events such as towering dust storms and intense tropical storms as Mexico’s unique, dynamic seasons change the world every week. Keep coming back for new events, challenges, collectibles, and rewards, and new areas to explore. No two seasons will ever be the same.
Check your platform and edition before buying
Platform availability
Motorfest has the broader listed console-generation reach in Ubisoft’s current platform list: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. Forza Horizon 5 is available on PS5, Xbox, and PC in the official materials cited here. For PS5, Forza’s FAQ gives April 29, 2025 as its general availability date and says cross-play spans platforms. Check the relevant regional store page, since platform availability can vary.
Edition contents
Edition names do not tell you which bundle is the best deal. PlayStation’s current Forza listing distinguishes Standard, Deluxe, and Premium: Deluxe includes Car Pass, while Premium adds the Hot Wheels and Rally Adventure expansions, Welcome Pack, and VIP Membership. The same listing says Premium includes 42 cars available with Car Pass. These are bundle contents, not a directly comparable total of cars in the two games. Check the current listing for the edition and platform you intend to purchase.
Rank #3
- PREMIUM UPGRADE — Includes VIP Membership, Welcome Pack, Time Attack Car Pack, Car Pass, Italian Passion Car Pack, and two Premium Expansions. Requires Forza Horizon 6 base game or Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
- VIP MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS — Enjoy a 2x Credit boost to race rewards, 3 VIP-Exclusive Forza Edition cars, a weekly bonus Super Wheelspin, and special Vanity Items.
- WELCOME PACK — Features 5 special pre-tuned cars and a Car Voucher, which can be used to claim any car available from the Autoshow.
- TIME ATTACK CAR PACK — Receive 8 legendary cars ideal for mastering every turn and corner at the Time Attack Circuits located around Japan.
- ITALIAN PASSION CAR PACK — Introduces 4 great new Italian cars in Forza Horizon 6 post-launch, perfect for cruising, racing, or exploring.
Ubisoft currently promotes Headliners and Grand Garage editions for Motorfest. Its game page advertises over 60 unlocked vehicles for Grand Garage. Treat that as an edition-specific bundle claim, not as an overall car-count comparison with Forza. Confirm the exact contents on Ubisoft’s current page before choosing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Internet access and PC requirements
Ubisoft’s Motorfest product listing states, “Permanent internet connection required to play.” If you need a game that works without a stable connection, treat that as a significant constraint. The sources cited here do not establish whether Forza Horizon 5 can be played offline in the way you require; verify that separately before purchase rather than assuming either answer.
Rank #4
- Tauchen Sie in eine immersive Kampagne mit Hunderten von Herausforderungen ein, die Sie dafür belohnen, dass Sie das tun, was Sie lieben
- Treffen Sie neue Charaktere und bestimmen Sie den Ausgang ihrer Horizon-Story-Missionen
- Bezwingen Sie unglaubliche Wetterereignisse wie die gigantischen Sand- oder intensiven Tropenstürmen, während Mexikos einzigartige und dynamische Jahreszeiten die Welt jede Woche verändern
- Schauen Sie regelmäßig für neue Events, Herausforderungen, Sammlerstücke, Belohnungen und neue Gebiete zum Erkunden vorbei. Keine Jahreszeit wird der nächsten gleichen
- Schließen Sie sich mit anderen Spielern zusammen und stellen Sie sich gemeinsam Horizon Arcade für eine fortlaufende Serie unterhaltsamer und abgefahrener Herausforderungen, die euch Action ohne Menüs, Ladebildschirme oder Lobbys bietet. Treffen Sie in Horizon Open und Tours neue Freunde & teilen sie Ihre Kreationen
For the US PC listing, Ubisoft specifies Windows 10 64-bit, a Ryzen 5 1400 or Core i5-4460 processor, a Radeon RX 480 8 GB or GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB graphics card, 8 GB RAM, and 40 GB storage. These are Ubisoft Store’s displayed minimum requirements, not a guarantee of a particular frame rate or performance on every system. Check the store listing for current requirements and your edition or region.
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Best Value
- FORZA HORIZON 6 LIMITED EDITION — Explore breathtaking Japan with the XBOX Wireless Controller – Forza Horizon 6 Limited Edition. Inspired by the winding Touge roads of Japan, this controller blends high-performance style with festival flair.
- FESTIVAL-INSPIRED DESIGN — Watch the translucent top case and triggers unveil dynamic lighting effects of a vibrant pink and green XBOX button. Bold pink thumbsticks, multi-color ABXY buttons, and a Horizon logo stamped on the battery door seal the look.
- RACING-READY GRIP — Lock into the open-world driving action with black and pink diamond-patterned grips and textured triggers built for every moment on the road.
- UP TO 40 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 40 hours of battery life so you can explore Japan from neon-lit streets to mountain passes without stopping to recharge.*
- PLAY ACROSS EVERY SCREEN — Quickly pair with, play on, and switch between console and PC. Stream games across mobile, gaming handhelds, Smart TVs, and supported VR headsets with XBOX Cloud Gaming.**
A quick decision checklist
- Choose Forza Horizon 5 if you prefer its Mexico setting, broad festival campaign, expeditions, Horizon Stories, and Horizon Open/Horizon Tour mix.
- Choose The Crew Motorfest if you prefer a Hawaiian setting, themed Playlists, customizable replays, and Ubisoft’s seasonal content direction.
- For group play, check platform compatibility and the specific multiplayer mode you expect to use.
- For Motorfest, plan around its stated permanent internet requirement.
- Compare the actual edition contents on your platform’s store; names, bundles, prices, and availability can change by territory and date.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
