The Back to the 90s updates forForza Horizon 5looks like a fun nostalgia trip on multiple levels.Forza Horizon 5already has a habit of doing entertaining things with its expansions. It’s a big part of what helps the game keep up its fun party vibe that elevates the events within. The Back to the 90s update is in line with the game thus far in that regard, but it has a few extras that will be well worth the experience.Forza Horizon 5is going to get a serious blast from the past with this update.
Evenyears afterForza Horizon 5’s launch, it still stands as one of the best racing games from Xbox’s current generation. Following series tradition, it takes place at the Horizon Festival, a massive celebration of racing that’s full of events stretching across the setting. InForza Horizon 5, the events take place in Mexico, with the player driving across streets, lush jungles, dusty desert roads, and more. With the festival setting and more free-form approach,Forza Horizon 5paints itself as a counterpart to the more structuredForza Motorsportgames. The Back to the 90s update should fit right intoForza Horizon 5’s wheelhouse.
Back to the 90s is Bringing a Wave of Nostalgia to Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5’s Next Update is All About the 90s
One would expectForza Horizon 5’s Back to the 90s updateto capture the spirit of the decade, and it definitely finds that charm. The 90s outfit that players can unlock features bright, loud colors reminiscent of the decade’s fashions and TV show intros. Likewise, the collectible VHS tapes are another fitting throwback to the era. Of course, with this being aForzagame, there will also be a set of cars from the 90s making their debut in the coming update as well. These trappings should giveForza Horizon 5players who grew up in the 90s a blast from the past.
Horizon Backstage is Making a Comeback in Forza Horizon 5
The update also brings in a way to get newcars inForza Horizon 5that should be familiar to series fans. Horizon Backstage is a feature fromForza Horizon 4that gave players a chance to buy certain cars from previous festival playlists.Forza Horizon 5’s iteration will work similarly, so any reward cars that players missed out on previously may end up cycling into Horizon Backstage, providing a second chance to obtain them. This mechanic works as a double dose of nostalgia. It hearkens back toForza Horizon 5’s past seasons while also bringing back a useful past feature.
One would expectForza Horizon 5’s Back to the 90s update to capture the spirit of the decade, and it definitely finds that charm.
Forza Horizon 5 is Hitting Two Nostalgic Points at Once
The return ofHorizon Backstagemay have been timed perfectly. While anynew addition toForza Horizon 5would be exciting, the timing here is worth pointing out. A good mechanic from the last game is coming back at the same time as an update commemorating a past decade. As a result,Forza Horizon 5is layering nostalgia for the series itself on top of nostalgia for the past. Lining the two up feels like an appropriate move. While Horizon Backstage could have come to the game at any point, doing so during the Back to the 90s update feels like perfect timing.
Forza Horizon 5’s next update is precisely aimed at nostalgia. Back to the 90s is a stylized update similar toForza Horizon 5’s Retrowave update, and plays off a similar focus on aesthetic. From the new cars on display to the name of the update itself, that much is already clear. Combining this update with the return of Horizon Backstage only makes the package sweeter. The Back to the 90s update will giveForza Horizon 5a shot of nostalgia starting on June 19, 2025.
Forza Horizon 5
WHERE TO PLAY
Your Ultimate Horizon Adventure awaits! Explore the vibrant and ever-evolving open world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in hundreds of the world’s greatest cars.This is Your Horizon Adventure: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.This is a Diverse Open World: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.This is an Adventurous Open World: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.This is an Evolving Open World: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.This is Your Open World:Create your own expressions of fun with the powerful new EventLab gameplay toolset including custom races, challenges, stunts, and entirely new game modes. Customize your cars in more ways than ever before with new options such as the ability open and close convertible tops, paint brake calipers, and more. Use the new Gift Drops feature to share your custom creations with the community.
