Xbox 360

MotoGP '06

"MotoGP 06" traz toda a qualidade que fez a fama de "MotoGP 3: Ultimate Racing Technology", o jogo de moto definitivo para o Xbox. A edição para Xbox 360 vem ainda com um visual de alta definição, que deixa ainda mais parecido como a MotoGP de verdade, e ainda permite jogar contra até 15 pessoas do mundo todo. Mas, mesmo sozinho, vale a pena se dedicar a esse difícil game.

Aside from delivering that butt-numbing intensity of being on a crotch rocket for far too long, this Xbox 360 exclusive brings everything to the table—a full roster of official 2006 bikes, 17 extreme street courses (including the harrowing Monterey coastal highway), and 16-player Xbox Live play.

MotoGP 06 is hot. That's basically the easiest way to define the first Xbox 360 iteration of THQ and Climax's genre-defining motorcycle racer. The series, which developer Climax finessed and refined over three stunning chapters on the original Xbox, arrives on the 360 with all of the great controls, multiplayer options (both online and off), massive horde of unlockable features, dramatic improvements to the visuals, and even more customizability to the game.

Anyone that has played a previous entry in the Moto GP franchise wont have their feelings toward the series changed by this particular iteration. Fans of the franchise, and fans of simulation racing should consider it a must-buy, while fans of racing in general, or those with a passing interest in motorcycles should rent first. Minor technical issues and some bare-bones single-player modes aside, this is without a doubt the best simulation racing game on the Xbox 360.

Maybe it’s unfair to compare Moto GP ‘06 and Tourist Trophy because they are on different systems (Xbox 360 and PS2, respectively), but whereas the latter comes off as clinical, Moto GP ‘06 gets the blood pumping. Maybe it’s just the graphics, but I think the thrills are simply better. The sense of speed. The crashes. Then again, it’s unfair to call Moto GP an arcade racer, because that would give short shrift to the skills needed to play this title as you meticulously manage your bike. I also have to give kudos to this game for adding challenges before each race that increase your overall abilities.

MotoGP 06 offers a ton of courses, plenty of unlockable bikes and reversed tracks, excellent racing gameplay, and a competent online mode. Longtime fans of the series will love the beautiful graphics, and newcomers will be blown away by how excellent the controls and physics are. Any racing fan with a 360 owes it to themselves to experience this game.

Die offizielle Moto-GP-Saison ist in vollem Gange, die Sonne brennt vom Himmel und dank der Fußball-WM sind die Straßen gen Nachmittag irgendwie so angenehm leer. Kann man sich eine bessere Zeit vorstellen, als das Motorrad aus der Garage zu schieben und sich bei einer Runde durch den Wienerwald den Wind durchs Haar fahren zu lassen? Was? Es gibt Helmpflicht? Na gut, bei Geschwindigkeiten jenseits der 200 wird’s dann sowieso unangenehm auf den Ohren! Was? So schnell darf man bei uns gar nicht fahren? Wenn Sie jetzt noch nicht mal ein Motorrad haben, bleiben wohl nur noch zwei Möglichkeiten: Entweder einfach auch Fußball schauen, oder sofort loslaufen und sich das neue MotoGP 06 für die Xbox360 holen! Das mit dem Wind in den Haaren klappt da zwar auch mit Hilfe eines Ventilators, aber zumindest die 200 sind überhaupt kein Problem!

Complet, accessible et technique, Moto GP 06 est fidèle à la réputation de la série. Ses deux types de pilotage (arcade d'un côté et arcade/simulation de l'autre) apportent une variété qui plaira à tous. S'appuyant sur une réalisation soignée et une durée de vie conséquente, il s'impose comme un jeu de courses à posséder sur cette console même si l'on est conscient que le niveau de perfection n'est pas encore atteint.

MotoGP 06 is a must-have for those that love bikes and racing on these deadly pieces of metal on wheels. The game needs more practise than the average PGR3 of Forza Motorsport due to the challenging controls, the unconventional but not less challenging handling, and the fact that you need to unlock a large portion of the gameplay. However, those that invest some time will discover a magnificent game, with an engine that shines as hard on the inside as the exterior.

MotoGP 06 is a high-definition port of MotoGP 3, tweaked for online play on the Xbox 360. Visually, the game looks stunning, especially in HD, and the sound of the bikes is authentic -- just ask Climax's sound engineer. The gameplay is still the heart and soul of this franchise, no matter how good it looks. Taking corners at break-neck speeds, always risking life and limb for just an extra tenth of a second off your time is exhilarating. Because of this challenge, the appeal of the game lasts much longer as you always strive for a personal best time. Combine that with trying to top your friends' best times and you have a racer that will keep you coming back for more months down the road.

It's worth noting, though, that MotoGP 06 isn't much of a jump from the previous title, MotoGP 3. If you picked up that game for Xbox or PS2, you should probably wait a year before jumping back into the franchise, as the HD graphics and new online features don't warrant another $60 purchase. If you missed out on the last one, though, and you're looking for a change of pace from Project Gotham, MotoGP 06 is a solid choice for motorcycle maniacs everywhere.

Climax knows a thing or two about speed, but the team has outdone itself this time by delivering a new game on a new console less than a year after the release of MotoGP 3. The short development cycle is definitely apparent in that MotoGP 06 is less a significant step forward for the series than an incremental upgrade to the previous game. However, given that the previous game is one of the best racing titles on the Xbox, that's certainly not a bad deal for racing fans. When it comes down to it, MotoGP 06 is not without its flaws, and the increased price is tough to swallow. But where the rubber meets the road, this is still a great game that will keep racing fans coming back for a very long time.

Overall, Moto GP '06 isn't a game I'd recommend for everyone. Despite its excellence in so many areas, it just isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea. The steep learning curve is the first obstacle and the second is the lack of gameplay modes. Still, for racing fans and for anyone who liked previous Moto GP entries, this should be one of your next Xbox 360 purchases. The beautiful graphics, the realistic feeling of the controls and the thrilling courses should be enough to keep you playing for quite a while.

While Moto GP 06 is an excellent addition to the small Xbox 360 gaming library, it's not a massive leap in gameplay compared to its predecessor on the Xbox, Moto GP 3. The slight differences include more challenges and a larger number of tracks. Owners of this new version will likely be gamers new to the series, folks looking to showcase their HDTV / surround system, or the growing number of gamerscore fanatics. Those who own a copy of Moto GP 3 should give this improved version a rent before purchase. Additionally, I recommend waiting until Moto GP 06 hits the $40 to $50 range before adding it to your growing Xbox 360 game collection.

"MotoGP 06" has pretty much every corner covered when it want to display itself as a "professional" realistic detailed motor racing game. It has excellent graphics with a smooth framerate, advanced and improved audio and a whole bunch of interesting online modes. If you got the motivation to get accustomed to its very realistic controls, then "MotoGP 06" will be a highly enjoyable game.

Wie het originele MotoGP op de Xbox kent, weet dat dit een solide racer was die het Xbox Live-gebeuren op de kaart heeft gezet. Ik herinner me nog wel de allereerste Live-potjes waar het eerste deel uit de MotoGP-serie veruit het populairst was. Het duurde dan ook niet lang of er kwam al weer een vervolger die op zijn beurt ook weer de nodige extra features voor ons in petto had. En konden we vorig jaar nog genieten van het derde deel, zo is onlangs het vierde deel, ontwikkeld voor de Xbox 360, uitgekomen. Het vierde deel voortborduurt op de features die MotoGP 3 introduceerde maar legt de lat voor het grafische gedeelte weer een lat hoger. Hoe ziet het er uit, en belangrijker, hoe speelt het nou eigenlijk?

MotoGP’06 is one of the most realistic arcade motorbike games I’ve played and it's by no means easy to begin with, even taking corners is a challenge in your first few races. Expect to make visits to the run off area as you whizz straight pass the apex and hope your rider hangs on as you bounce through the rough. It’ll frustrate you to start with but just adds to the enjoyment as you hook that corner up after some practice.

Considering the pedigree of this series we had high hopes for this one and it was one of the most anticipated titles on the 360, but we have been disappointed. The game itself is very well structured and is pick up and play, but it just does not have the impact we expected for the next generation. It's not a blot on Climax copybook but it’s certainly not a shining example of their talent either.

So, 06 is basically a next-gen port of MotoGP 3. The graphics are better, the sound's been overhauled (with different noises for each bike, finally) but there's little here that wasn't in the previous game. We're sure there's going to be another MotoGP in the near future, perhaps with a longer gestation period, but the short term those wanting their fix of 2-wheeled motor sport need look no further. Those alienated by earlier games in the series would do better to keep clear, and 06 is perhaps even less user-friendly than ever before.

Considering the pedigree of this series we had high hopes for this one and it was one of the most anticipated titles on the 360, but we have been disappointed. The game itself is very well structured and is pick up and play, but it just does not have the impact we expected for the next generation. It's not a blot on Climax copybook but it’s certainly not a shining example of their talent either.

To give you some idea of how half-finished Moto GP 06 really is, it has a 100% fatal bug in it! (it happens every single time) that crashes your 360 and locks it up solid! (you can’t even turn the thing off via the joypad) – this happens when you do a time trial and try to see how your friends times compare. Missing a bug like this suggests two things; the game was rushed out (let's face it, it's not exactly the first 360 game to get such treatment) or the testers never played it online (or just don’t have any friends). Rough and half-finished with aging handling model and out of date net code – unless you’re a bike addict like me then 5/10 might even be generous. Not good, not good at all from a developer and a series that promised so much.