Forza Horizon 6 has slipped in a playful nod to Pokémon, a beloved franchise from Nintendo.
The latest instalment of Xbox and Playground Games’ popular racing series has arrived, and it’s arguably the best yet. Forza Horizon 6 transports players to Japan, a location long requested by fans. Japan is a visually stunning setting for any game, and it also boasts a vibrant and rich car culture. After years of developing the franchise, Playground Games felt ready to tackle this setting and create the largest Forza game to date.
Forza Horizon 6 fully embraces Japan in various ways. The game puts a strong emphasis on drifting, features cherry blossom trees that are culturally significant and cannot be destroyed, and includes numerous references to Japanese culture. One of the game’s standout events even has the player racing a giant mech through Japan’s streets. This is a bold move, but it aligns perfectly with the tone of the Forza series. One of the most notable Japanese references in the game is a nod to Pokémon.
While tuning into the in-game radio, listeners may hear the radio hosts suggest players take some pictures while exploring Japan. The hosts then use the phrase, “Snap ’em all,” a playful twist on Pokémon’s famous tagline, “Gotta catch ’em all.”
The radio hosts then remark that it’s, “like that Japanese collecting game we’re not allowed to name for legal reasons.” This has been a source of amusement for fans, especially considering Nintendo’s reputation for taking legal action against anyone who infringes on Pokémon’s rights.
In other news, Pokémon is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and there have been numerous ways to mark the occasion. Target recently collaborated with Kellanova to produce a limited-edition line of Pokémon Pop-Tarts. As expected, these have been targeted by scalpers, who have been buying up stock and reselling them at four or five times their normal retail price.
