The Best Forza Games Ranked

The newest Forza game from Playground Games is about to launch and is expected to generate a lot of conversation among racing game fans. But how do you evaluate a game that builds on a legacy of already excellent titles? And is it even feasible to rank all the Forza games against each other, given how difficult it is to choose a single ‘best’ one?

That’s precisely what we aimed for, and it took a lot of discussion to finally decide on this order. Now, let’s get started and take a look back at the history of Forza, starting with:

15. Forza Street

Looking back, this game is a bit disappointing because it had the potential to be great. However, it ended up feeling like a messy mix of racing styles, failing to capture the excitement of either series it tried to combine. It easily earns its place as the least impressive title on this list.

But it did manage to entertain during its time as a free-to-play spinoff, so credit where it’s due.

14. Forza Motorsport 5

While this game featured cool innovations like Drivatar and impressive graphics for its era, it’s ranked lower due to a limited number of cars and tracks at launch, and a tendency to add content primarily through paid downloadable content over time.

This game is still a fun racing experience, but newer titles in the series offer more updated tracks and features that might make you prefer those instead.

13. Forza Motorsport (2023)

Things start to get interesting here. This new Motorsport game, following up on Forza Motorsport 7 from 2017, is one of the best in the series. It’s a serious racing game, but still easy to pick up and enjoy thanks to its customizable options.

While the game showed a lot of promise, several significant bugs at launch and a limited selection of tracks prevented it from reaching its full potential. Many players found that Forza Horizon 5 offered a more enjoyable experience overall, even though it leaned more towards arcade-style racing.

12. Forza Horizon

While generally strong, the single-player experience feels a bit repetitive, even with the introduction of the Horizon Festival. It’s also noticeable that the game doesn’t feature dynamic weather. It clearly draws heavily from Forza 4, even allowing players to use their customized cars and benefiting from that game’s realistic physics.

While it was groundbreaking when it first came out, it doesn’t quite measure up to the other games on this list.

11. Forza Horizon 2

We still remember this game fondly, largely because of its incredible opening where you get to drive a powerful Lamborghini. It’s a fantastic arcade racer, and the game really started to find its stride here. The European setting created a stunning open world, although it occasionally got in the way of the fun.

While seemingly minor, some odd design decisions and a disappointing character progression system hold this installment back, preventing it from ranking among the best Forza games.

10. Forza Motorsport 7

When this game first came out, it was generally well-received. The main issue people had was that the AI drivers (Drivatars) could be overly aggressive, especially on harder settings. It was often amusing – and led to a lot of crashes – to see them so determined to beat us, even if it meant bumping us off the track.

Honestly, after a bit of a shaky start, this game really felt like a proper entry in the series. It was clear the developers knew exactly what this franchise is all about, and they weren’t afraid to stick to that vision. It felt confident and true to what makes these racing sims so great!

9. Forza Motorsport 6

Forza 6 really perfected the realistic racing experience, and while the games that followed made gradual improvements, this one was a significant leap forward. It truly stood out as a special installment in the Forza series.

This made the Xbox One the top choice for realistic racing games during the height of the console wars.

8. Forza Motorsport 2

Even though it’s an older game, Forza 2 actually ranks higher than Forza 6 because of its impact on the series. Just like Forza 6 improved upon what came before, Forza 2 was a huge leap forward from the original, and it laid the groundwork for the modern Forza games we enjoy today.

This game boasts fantastic driving, impressive graphics and smooth performance – with only a few minor visual hiccups. Combined with a solid selection of cars and tracks, it’s a landmark title in the series that every fan should experience.

7. Forza Motorsport 4

The game’s multiplayer is fantastic, and it really showcases the power of the Xbox 360. It stands out as a strong entry in the series. However, the single-player Career Mode was disappointing – and that’s notable, even with Jeremy Clarkson providing the voiceover.

Even though it’s a bit older now, I was still really impressed with how well-made it was – it definitely lived up to the standards of the series and was a great racing simulator when it came out.

6. Forza Horizon 3

We’re now reaching the peak of the series, and Horizon 3 is a perfect example of why it’s so successful. It really showcases what makes the Horizon Festival’s open-world style work so well in a racing game, and we still enjoy remembering our first time exploring its beautiful Australian setting.

This product holds a lot of happy memories for us, and we believe it was a key development that helped create the exceptional quality we see in the Horizon series even now.

5. Forza Motorsport

Even with a new version released in 2023, we still prefer the original. This game was a game-changer, seriously challenging Gran Turismo and establishing itself as a major player in racing simulations. It did everything exceptionally well for its time, becoming a foundational title that launched the entire series to success.

You could consider this the beginning of a very successful story.

4. Forza Horizon 4

The British version of the Horizon Festival remains a strong addition to the series. We especially enjoyed the fresh approach of starting as a new racer and earning access to more content, rather than being in charge from the beginning.

This installment felt more realistic and emotionally engaging than previous games. The racing and open world remained as captivating as ever, solidifying its place as one of our all-time favorite racing games.

3. Forza Motorsport 3

This racing simulator is truly exceptional and easily ranks as the best. It perfectly balanced being challenging and easy to pick up, and it even established a successful formula for future games in the series.

This title absolutely earns its spot on this list, and we believe it positively influenced everything that came after it.

2. Forza Horizon 6

It’s easy to see why this installment is a favorite. Taking the Horizon Festival to Japan offers a stunning and beautiful setting that feels both new and classic. It successfully combines everything players love about the Horizon series into a refined and polished experience.

This game feels like the natural endpoint of an established system, meaning it doesn’t take many risks or offer significant innovation. This has been a consistent issue when trying to compare all the Forza games, and this installment arguably suffers from it the most.

1. Forza Horizon 5

It’s easy to see why this game remains one of the best in the Forza series. The Mexico setting was fantastic for the festival, and the game still looks amazing on modern gaming consoles. It’s comparable to the newer installment, and some players might even prefer it, depending on their racing preferences.

Forza Horizon 5 is one of the best games in the Forza series, and it’s still a strong competitor to the newest installment.

That’s all from us for now. We expect you’ve found something surprising while listening, and that’s what makes the Forza series so great. With so many amazing options, everyone will likely have their own favorites and preferences.

Most of us would agree that Forza is one of the best modern racing games, and it looks like it will stay that way for a long time. We’re hoping that’s true, but right now, we’re excited to check out a car meet in Tokyo and get ready for the winter races.

2026-05-19 18:43