MotoGP '06 review

Two-wheeling it with plenty of 360 style

GamesRadar+ Verdict

Pros

  • +

    Gorgeous HD tracks

  • +

    Screamingly sweet audio

  • +

    Wicked sensation of speed

Cons

  • -

    Slow load times

  • -

    Off-track penalty timer

  • -

    Where's the damage modeling?

Why you can trust GamesRadar+ Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.

It takes skill, balance and a well-developed pair of cojones to control a 180-mph MotoGP racing bike on the worldwide Grand Prix stage - but 60 bucks and a videogamer's steady hand will get the job done on an Xbox 360. Of course, pretty or not, that last bit may determine whether or not you'll even like MotoGP '06.

It's not that the game is overly sim-like; the cursory controls and arcade bike physics are easy enough to manage. But you must remember one thing:you'repiloting an unstable two-wheeled rocketaround a hard surface at blinding speeds. Mess it up - even a bit - and you'll tear some big holes in those fancy riding leathers.

Your personal riding proficiency is one thing (and it is satisfying to master the rear-brake powersliding technique that leads to quick lap times), but MotoGP '06's real allure lies in its exquisite eye and ear candy. Owners of last year's MotoGP 3 (for the original Xbox) might resist the temptation to upgrade because of content overlap - MGP06 adds in only a handful of new tracks - but they'd be cheating themselves. The lush new HD visuals are postcard perfect and the dizzying sensation of speed you get as your Yamaha rockets up Laguna Seca's backstraight is enough to give your eyeballs windburn.

The audio is just as sweet. Brit developer Climax Studios made sure that each bike emits its own signature engine note so you can now pick out that Honda or Ducati behind you without a backward glance.

More info

GenreRacing
DescriptionThis motorcycle racer's visuals are postcard perfect, and the dizzying sensation of speed is enough to give your eyeballs windburn.
Platform"Xbox 360"
US censor rating"Everyone"
UK censor rating""
Release date1 January 1970 (US), 1 January 1970 (UK)
More
CATEGORIES
Latest in Racing
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Nintendo knows you're waiting for Mario Kart 9, but it still wants you to run a million laps in Mario Kart 8 first
Wheel World
The spirit of Burnout Paradise lives on in this fabulous bicycle racing game from the makers of my favorite indie fighting game – a true Steam Next Fest gem
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds
Sonic Racing CrossWorlds announcement trailer proves Sega is coming for Mario Kart 9's throne with transforming cars and a closed beta this month
Need For Speed Unbound
The Need For Speed series is pumping the brakes as "Criterion are joining their colleagues working on Battlefield" instead of tuning more cars
Forza Horizon 5 the real deal reasonably priced car seasonal championship volvo 850 R racing
Forza Horizon 5 is the latest Xbox game to make the leap to PS5, and it's launching this spring with all of the same content and DLC
Tokyo Xtreme Racer
Cult classic racing series returns 18 years after its once-final entry on Xbox 360 to 95% overwhelmingly positive Steam reviews
Latest in Reviews
Lenovo Legion Go S with FlyKnight gameplay on screen featuring player character holding bow and arrow with enemy ant in backdrop.
Lenovo Legion Go S Windows 11 review: “my heart aches for this mixed up handheld”
Talisman 5th Edition game components
Talisman 5th Edition review: "The characterful imperfections of the original game remain clear to see "
WWE 2K25
WWE 2K25 review: "A colossal package even if you never go anywhere near Virtual Currency"
Altered: Trial by Frost booster box and packs on a playmat
Altered: Trial by Frost review - "Satisfying enough to offer highly varied gameplay"
Three SteelSeries QcK Performance mouse pads on a wooden desk
I didn't expect to prefer a coarser mouse pad, but SteelSeries' new QcK Performance range has changed my mind
Boro and Alta sit on a bench together in Wanderstop
Wanderstop review: "Exalting the transformative power of tea"