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It has been 13 months since Xbox released a new Xbox Series X bundle, 13 months! That was the stunning Limited Edition Halo Infinite Xbox Series X bundle and they didn't make many (the limited edition bundle still fetches good money on marketplaces).
Today Microsoft officially released the Xbox Series X Forza Horizon 5 bundle. This has left us a little baffled... Forza Horizon 5 was released in November 2021 and it's hardly a game in huge demand. Don't get me wrong, it's an excellent motorsport game but we were hoping for something a little newer.
It's a shame Microsoft hasn't done a little bit more with the design and box art for this bundle... especially when you consider how good much effort they put into the Halo Infinite Series X bundle. Maybe they'll look to do something a little more special for the new Forza Motorsport?
The bundle includes a standard (no frills) Xbox Series X Console and Carbon Black Series X Controller. A digital download of Forza Horizon 5 Premium edition is included along with a number of additional add-ons:
Unsure about what the Forza Horizon 5 add-ons include, we've put together an FAQ to help below:
The Forza Horizon 5 Hot Wheels Expansion is a thrilling addition to the game, offering a visually stunning new map set high above Mexico in the clouds. Race 10 amazing new cars including the lightning-fast 2021 Hennessey Venom F5 and the iconic 2000 Hot Wheels Deora II. Explore realistic environments like hillsides, desert-like canyons, and other terrains while you compete in races of up to 16 players. Customise your cars to show off your own style and complete stunts to get rewarded with bonus points.
With the Forza Horizon 5 VIP Pass, you get access to exclusive rewards not available to standard players. This includes 3 Exclusive Forza Edition cars, Crown Flair, Vanity Items, Emote and Car Horns - all created just for VIPs. You also receive a gift Player House, 2x Credit race rewards, and weekly bonus Super Wheelspins. You will be sure to stand out at the Horizon Festival!
The Forza Horizon 5 Car Pass includes 42 cars from various car manufacturers, including Ford, Porsche, Lamborghini, BMW and more. It also includes 8 Formula Drift cars which are bundled as a bonus when you purchase the Car Pass. With these cars, players can experience different driving styles and performance characteristics that will help them progress through the game faster.
The Forza Horizon 5 Welcome Pack includes five special pre-tuned cars, a Player House and a one-time "grant" to own any car available from the game’s Autoshow. There are also three one-time "grants" for any Common or Rare clothing item, giving you everything you need to customize your avatar and make them stand out in the game. This is a nice pack for first-time players or anyone who needs a fresh start.
That is a good question and difficult to answer. At launch, the Xbox Series X Forza Horizon 5 bundle retails for £489 / $559 which means you're getting the Forza Horizon 5 Premium game and add-ons for £40 / $60. Is this good value? Well, if you love the Forza franchise then yes, we'd recommend it.
However, if Forza isn't your thing then we'd recommend sticking with the Standard Xbox Series X and grabbing your preferred game with that £40 / $60.
It's also worth noting that Forza Horizon 5 is available via Xbox Game Pass for a monthly subscription fee of just £7.99 a month. If you're unsure whether Forza Horizon 5 is for you, this might be a more preferable option.
See below for current availability and prices on the bundle:
Xbox Series X 1TB Console: Forza Horizon 5 Edition bundled with
Xbox Series X 1TB Console: Forza Horizon 5 Edition bundled with
This isn't the first time we've seen Microsoft bundle a Forza game with a console. One of our favourite bundles for the Xbox One was the Forza Motorsport 6 Blue Limited Edition Bundle which featured a unique start-up sound when you turned on the console.
Take a look at how cool it looked! (Click on an image to view full size)
According to the official Microsoft Store the Xbox Series X Forza Horizon 5 bundle releases on 31 January 2023, will you be grabbing one?
Let us know your thoughts.
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