Price: £39.99

Players: 1-2

Ride the Japanese GP Suzuka and other courses including our Donnington and France's Paul Ricard in a game that doesn't need much introduction given that it's a motorbike racing simulation and what else is there to do than race round and round each track? Well, there's a little bit extra going on, but it doesn't stretch to anymore than selecting your bike, helmet and all the typical options.

As with many of the PS2 games it does look very good indeed. The graphics move fast and the bright blue sky in the backdrop looks gorgeous, with each of the tracks replicated faithfully, so everything you expect then. And that continues with the sound too. The roar of the bikes' two-stroke 500cc engines is loud, but it's a very linear experience. We know what a bike sounds like so there's nothing that will surprise here. Optional tunes play in the background but I prefer to turn these down as they just get in the way.

The major minus with this game comes in the implementation. Start a race and all your virtual opponents race off into the distance. Once you've got used to the game you can occasionally catch them up, but it is difficult to control and takes a while to get into it. What you'll find whenever you play is the ability to overshoot and come off the track frequently. How the others stick to the tarmac I'll never know but I can only stay on by dropping my speed markedly, which kills the feeling of momentum and just annoys you. Also, when trying to get off the dirt track, turning your bike doesn't move you as quickly as it should, pivoting about a central point and not instantly moving you in the desired direction. Also, when you come off your bike, for some reason the vibrating controller takes its cue from your bike flipping about and not your rider (!)

Overall, it looks good, but that's about it. I played this sort of game in the arcade over 15 years ago but here, on the latest console, it just lacks any FUN.

GRAPHICS SOUND EFFECTS AND MUSIC PLAYABILITY ORIGINALITY ENJOYMENT
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Review copyright © Dominic Robinson, 2001.