Gaming Target - PlayStation 2: MX Superfly featuring Ricky Carmichael

Written by Kyle Williams on November 04, 2002

Full Review: What the heck is a Superfly?

Ricky Carmichael is a five time national champion motocross rider. Since he turned pro in 1996, he has been everywhere and done almost everything that a motocross rider can, earning just about every accolade that there is. It is only fitting that a series of videogame titles bears his name. This year, THQ and Pacific Coast Power and Light bring us the second Ricky Carmichael PS2 title with MX Superfly. MX Superfly is a step forward, though not a step up, from MX 2002. PCP&L have tweaked the stunt controls and have added a slew of mini-games and new features for this year's outing, basically leaving the racing experience alone.

The mini-games and new features are really the shining point of MX Superfly. These games within a game help to add a little bit of variety to a series whose core gameplay isn't prone to change from year to year. There are a variety of different mini-games to choose from, some of which are new to the series while others, like the Bus Jump and Step Up competitions, were a part of MX 2002. Where these mini-games really come in handy is when you have a friend over and you're looking for some multiplayer fun. They add a healthy dose of competition outside of the racing mode and are simple enough to just pick up and play.

The other great new feature of MX Superfly is the create-a-track mode. If you just aren't satisfied with the stunt tracks that are available you can sit down and turn out the course of your dreams. The editor offers decent flexibility and gives you a lot of different options for you to build that big air course you've always wanted. After you've designed your course, you can always save it and challenge a friend to a little freestyle competition. Throw in a customized rider for each of you and you are ready for a completely unique experience.

Sadly though, the actual gameplay mechanics of the races hasn't changed from last years' MX 2002. The race controls are pretty tight and everything is a decent racing experience. The problem with this is that the real excitement of motocross racing is in the hot-dog antics of the racers while in mid-air and the fact that there is no motivation to perform tricks during the event. This is due to the fact that the stunt controls just aren't precise enough to pull off your tricks consistently. When you combine this with no in-race reward for completing the trick, most players will opt to win the race instead of showing off. This year's Jeremy McGrath title addressed this issue pretty well by allowing you to earn a boost by completing tricks during the race. I'll admit that JM's trick system wasn't as deep as MX Superfly's, but this feature encouraged riders to bust a move. If there were spectators that you had to impress and subsequent money to earn from sponsors, the in game boost wouldn't be necessary. As it stands though, you are better off leaving the tricks for the pros and just heading to the finish line.

MX Superfly does have a leg up on MX 2002 in the graphics department though. Everything seems to be just a little more crisp and clean than it did last year and there are a few more details to spice things up. Check out your riders gear as the game progresses and you will notice a great amount of mud and grime covering up your sponsor's logo. The riders all seem to be comfortable on their bikes with some pretty decent animations. That is, until they wipe out. As it stands, when the riders lose their bike they become stiff and hardly seem to be bothered by dragging across the ground. Having a better, more spectacular set of crash physics might have been another way for the developer to encourage trick racing as we all seem to revel in the pain of others (even if they are fictitious).

MX Superfly Featuring Ricky Carmichael

Full Review: What the heck is a Superfly?