First Encounter

By Chris Zimmerman

In most self-respecting Americans' minds, throttle control simply means being able to keep oneself from strangling a sibling when they accidentally overwrite a Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell® saved game. Die-hard motorcycle racing enthusiasts, on the other hand, know what I'm talking about. Throttle control is but one of many key elements of MotoGP 3—think adrenaline-soaked two-wheeled racing, albeit with more nods to gut-wrenching realism than typical turn 'n' burn antics.

Officially licensed, right down to the decals.

MotoGP 3 is the quintessential motorcycle riding simulation of the official Grand Prix circuit, with tracks, cycles, and riders pulled straight from the 2004 season. Among the list of names attached are pros like Italy's Valentino Rossi, Australia's Troy Bayliss, and Japan's Shinya Nakano. Each, of course, sports an appropriately licensed bike, be it the Yamaha Tech 3, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-PR, or Ducati Desmosedici GP4. Put these speed demons through their paces at international hotspots such as Circuit de Catalunya, Donnington, and Phakisa Freeway. In case the info above might as well be written in Swahili for all that it means to you, let me put things in perspective: Roadside recreations don't get more hardcore than this.

On a happy note, the controls are so simple that anyone can jump right into the experience, regardless of whether they can tell a spark plug from a starter. Choose a game mode (Training, Time Trial, Quick Race, Career, etc.), mash the gas, and you're up and running. You're also in for a treat—the sensation of momentum as you tear through exotic locales like Portugal's Estoril Circuit or Qatar's Losail International is palpable, courtesy of killer screen-blurring effects. You don't have to worry about tweaking gear ratios, selecting tire compounds, or adjusting stability to enjoy the outing.

The devil's in the details though, as you soon see while you climb the rankings, claiming higher seeds and bigger ticket bikes. Clocking outstanding lap times requires that you learn the intricacies of leaning into corners, pulling off powerslides, and soaring through chicanes using a deliberate combination of acceleration and braking. Revving away on the engine isn't always recommended; fail to slow down before coming into a hairpin curve, and you enjoy a TV-style replay of your rider taking a faceplant into the dirt. No matter which real-world track you're racing or cycle you're riding, when jockeying for cold, hard cash, caution must take precedence over primal urges.

Expanding upon its predecessors' legacy, MotoGP 3 even moves the action out onto the streets with the addition of an all-new Extreme Mode. It's here that you thrash through back alleys and boulevards, customizing and upgrading to your heart's content. Money makes the world go round, though, so no matter how many turn indicators you wantonly ignore, make sure you always cross the finish line first.

Rip through quiet city streets in Extreme Mode.

Whether on the track or on the street, you'll be floored by the game's audiovisuals. It's a blast customizing riders down to their leathers, and all character models—just like their vehicles—are incredibly well articulated. Slap on some decals and soar around Laguna Seca as grim clouds mass overhead. Marvel as the engine roar mingles with the distant sound of thunder, while raindrops splatter against the display. Trust me … you feel like you're really there.

Check out that view. It's even better up close.

Suffice it to say, games like this truly demonstrate the power of the Xbox® console, as multiplayer addicts will discover. Aside from four-player split-screen options, Xbox Live® subscribers can participate in 16-rider online competitions. Play career mode against live riders, besting your buddies instead of up to 20 A.I.-controlled drivers. An idiot-proof ranking system lets gamers sniff out opponents of similar skill level … always a plus if, like me, you count yourself amongst the ranks of the hand-eye coordination impaired.

The more racers, the merrier.

From locations to cycles to riders, it all adds up to a world class effort, with game modes for both newcomers and long-time series admirers. My guess: Both Climax and THQ will speed off with universal acclaim when this highly anticipated title ships sometime this September.