Horizon Retrowave was a four-week Forza Horizon 5 update, not a separate game. It added the Horizon Wave radio station, a neon-decorated route, EventLab props and five Festival Playlist reward cars. Those Playlist rewards were available during their original May 23–June 20, 2024 windows; those dates have passed.
What was the Forza Horizon 5 Retrowave update?
Playground Games announced Horizon Retrowave on May 17, 2024. The update brought a synthwave theme to the game through music, nighttime scenery, creative-building assets, cosmetics and gameplay fixes. The developer described the series as lasting four weeks.
The information below reflects the announcement and its original 2024 schedule. It does not establish whether or how any of the rewards may be available through other means today.
Where is the Neon Highway?
The Neon Highway was placed near The Marathon event. Its neon rails, palm trees and tank mascots were designed to synchronize with the song playing on the in-game radio. Neon decorations also returned to Series 34 races, which had extended night cycles. A drone-made sun show appeared near the Stadium and The Marathon.
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![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.
What songs are on Horizon Wave?
Horizon Wave launched with DJ Isabel Moss and 21 songs. The complete tracklist published by Playground Games is below. The announcement identifies “Encanto (Mich Murder Remix)” by Urbandawn as streamer friendly.
| Track | Artist |
|---|---|
| Crimson Sunset (feat. The Neon Syndicate) | Alex Lightspeed |
| Guided by Moonlight | Betamaxx |
| Mirage | Caspro |
| Iteration | Com Truise |
| Waves | Dance with the Dead |
| The Ghost and the Highway | Droid Bishop |
| Elevate | FM Attack |
| Recall | Frank Redux |
| Viper | GREYLANCER |
| C.M.O.S. | Gridluster |
| King of the Streets | Lazerhawk |
| Legend Of The Keeper (F.O.O.L. Remix) | Magic Sword |
| Ocean Drive | Miami Nights 1984 |
| Accelerated | Miami Nights 1984 |
| Plug and Play | Monolism |
| Another Night | Phaserland |
| Mountains | Saffari |
| Blitz | Sferro |
| Tales of Us | TRONICA |
| Coven | VECTORWOLF |
| Encanto (Mich Murder Remix) | Urbandawn |
Playground Games’ announcement uses inconsistent wording for the final track earlier in its text. The track title and artist above follow the spelling in its complete tracklist.
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.
What cars came with the Forza Horizon 5 Retrowave update?
Five cars were Festival Playlist rewards: one Series Reward and four weekly-season rewards. Each weekly car required 20 points in its named season; the Hyundai required 80 points across the Retrowave Festival Playlist.
| Car | Original unlock condition and window |
|---|---|
| 2022 Hyundai N Vision 74 | 80 points as the Series Reward during the Horizon Retrowave Festival Playlist; the announcement does not give a separate date range for this reward. |
| 2021 Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 | 20 points in Week 1, Summer; May 23–30, 2024. |
| 1986 BMW M635CSi | 20 points in Week 2, Autumn; May 30–June 6, 2024. |
| 1980 Lotus Esprit Turbo | 20 points in Week 3, Winter; June 6–13, 2024. |
| 1986 Citroën BX 4TC | 20 points in Week 4, Spring; June 13–20, 2024. |
These are the original reward windows, all of which ended by June 20, 2024. Playground Games’ vehicle descriptions include real-world background and performance figures, but those are promotional descriptions, not independent vehicle tests.
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.
What else did the update add?
EventLab props and lighting
The update added 20 EventLab props, including road barriers and railings, neon cubes and pyramids, palm trees, tanks, artwork, lights and a Horizon Wave sign. Twelve props had lights synchronized to the in-game radio. New props other than the Horizon Wave sign and the Retro Sunset gameplay prop offered Animated, Pulsing and Static light patterns. Retro Sunset was described as a collectible available in the second week.
Outfit, helmets and horns
The Retrowave Outfit was tied to the first-week Festival Playlist photo challenge. Minecraft Creeper and Enderman helmets could be redeemed through the Message Center from May 23 through December 31; the announcement does not specify a year alongside those dates. Six themed horns were listed: Cassette, Cat Wave, Dial Tone, Plasma, Synth Toms and Synth Horn.
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
Reported fixes
Playground Games’ release notes reported fixes for missing AI traffic in Street Races; connection errors affecting the Auction House, Message Centre, Leaderboards and browsing Liveries, Tunes and Vinyl; and Creative Hub follow/unfollow problems. They also listed general performance and stability improvements, plus fixes for two 2020 Audi TT RS issues: front fenders with the customized hood and cockpit digital-gauge textures.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Official announcement
Playground Games published the update details on May 17, 2024, in “Get Soaked in the Horizon Retrowave!”.
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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.
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- 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.*
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