One of Xbox's Biggest Exclusives, Forza Horizon 5, Officially Launches on PS5 and PS5 Pro

Earlier in 2024 and into 2025, Microsoft slowly began opening the gates to some of its previously exclusive titles, with games like Sea of Thieves recently making the jump to PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. However, bringing Forza Horizon 5 over? That's the next level.

Forza Horizon 5 marks a major shift in the gaming industry. In a move that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, the game, which has long been considered a cornerstone of Xbox exclusives, has officially launched on the PS5 and PS5 Pro. This isn't just another cross-platform release.

For years, Forza Horizon has been one of Microsoft's flagship franchises—a system seller often mentioned in the same breath as Halo and Gears of War. At the same time as this huge move, the business was discussing sustainability, growth, and player reach. The fact that it can now be played on Sony's consoles shows how much the business is changing, especially when it comes to which platforms can play it.

The release of Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation didn't happen in a vacuum — it follows a string of surprising decisions by Microsoft to bring its once-exclusive games to rival platforms. Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, has repeatedly emphasized a vision of gaming that's less about where you play and more about what you play.

In any case, Forza Horizon 5 is a great driving game that you should play right now if you haven't already. It's a lively, open-world racing game full of tasks, events, and beautiful graphics. Since its release on Xbox and PC, it's been praised for being a lot of fun and driving like arcade games.

Of course, the comparisons to Gran Turismo 7 are inevitable. But while both are high-quality racing games, they cater to different styles. Forza Horizon 5 leans into arcade-style gameplay, emphasizing freedom and creativity, while Gran Turismo 7 remains focused on realism and simulation. Therefore, if you're into racing, there's a good chance you'll want both in your library — they complement each other more than they compete.

On the other hand, this release raises big questions: Will Gears of War or Halo follow suit? Could Forza Horizon 6 launch on day one on both Xbox and PlayStation? Only time will tell, but one thing's clear: the line between console ecosystems is blurring, and that's great news for gamers everywhere.

Stay tuned — this might just be the beginning.