Gaming Target - Game Boy: MotoGP

Written by Matt Swider on May 02, 2002

Review: Unlike GT Advance, this THQ game features racing on two wheelsЕbut still contains the same old ten-letter password system.

MotoGP is the first attempt to capture the thrill and excitement of high-speed motorcycle racing on the Game Boy Advance. Just like in similar titles from the past, the main goal for Visual Impact was to create a game free of dull moments and filled with intense speed. Although MotoGP isn't able to match these qualities to a degree of total satisfaction, it does present an appealing racer with solid visuals and an on par audio department. The real gripe of MotoGP comes with the lack of a battery save, which hampers much of the additional enjoyment and potential that the game could have brought.

To start with one of MotoGP's finer points, it must be said that the game's graphics look impressive. It shows off a powerful 3D engine, which manages to run super fast at a smooth rate with plenty of detail lining the trackside like barrels and signs. Though you might not notice the trackside objects at first, it won't be long until you eventually come into contact with them. The sixteen courses present are based off of real life settings throughout several different countries including Japan, Australia, and other Gran Prix locations. There are plenty of small aspects within the backgrounds to keep your eyes from staying on the roadway; a good for the visuals, bad for your driving focus. There are tons of licensed teams, bikes like Suzuki, Yamaha, and Honda made it into the game and represent the manufacturers quite nicely. In addition to the motorcycles, the models for each rider are detailed with distinct real-life animation ranging from leaning during curves to turning heads with every passing opponent. The crashes also feature a nice deal of animation, although it's not always the most pleasing thing to see.

With sharp turns and curves throughout each course, signs flash to give players a momentary warning of the upcoming road direction. During each turn, players must lean enough not to crash into the sides, the main objective for each track. While doing this, they must also pay attention to and not collide with other racers that are in the running. Passing other bikes can be quite exhilarating, as you can weave between your rivals with immediate skill and the reward of a higher position. To assist in your breezing past other players, MotoGP includes the surprising element of boost power. Of course not found in the real-life racing, this will enable you to speed up or perform a wheelie when your meter is full. Though there'll be a few opposed to this unrealistic facet, for the most part, most will think it's a nice extra that helps keep the game alive.

There are four modes of play available, which include the Quick Race, Time Attack, Tournament, and Gran Prix. The last two are where you do your dirty work and open each course as you progress along. Sure, unlocking each circuit track by track can be painstaking after a long period of time, but look at it this way: If you want to stop, all you have to do is memorize a bunch of incoherent letters that will take you just as much time to write down each and every time you finish a new challenge. On the good side, once you do open up a bunch of courses, you'll be set for some enjoyable four-player racing that adds to the replay just a bit. There's also a couple option settings that can be adjusted within the game including the whether conditions, music, choice between mph/kmh, and oh yeah, the dirty password system.

As for competition, there's very little. After a while, you'll be leading the pack and your only true worry is not to run into the trackside about six or seven times. After that many, they usually catch up to you. But no worries, you can still take them. Just, on the way up, try not to bump anyone or it will slow you done quite a bit, or even knock you off your horse. The entire game can't decide whether is wants to play as an arcade game or devote itself to simulation. While it contains the boost option and several elements of unrealistic play like performing a wheelie while taking a curve at 180 mph, the game limits the true arcade experience by attempting to match the Gran Prix experience. If the developer went for a full-fledged arcade motorcycle title, we'd have a lot more crazy options and enticing features added to the game.

Lastly, we have the sound, which for the most part delivers what's needed on a Game Boy Advance title. The droning of your bike is the most prominent, and even though this may sounds somewhat odd, in sorts, it's almost relaxing. Hey, at least you know that you're motor is running, that's my take on it. The only real time the engine's hum comes to a complete stop is when you're at the side of the track, and have crashed for a brief second. So, I'm not crazy, you are relaxed constantly hearing the droning. You'll also hear the concise murmur of other bikes when they pass, which isn't the best feeling in the world either.