Graphics

Although the graphics on Moto GP are better than that of GBA, they still do not make full potential of the N-Gage. We all know that graphics do not always make a good game, but it helps if they are good on a motorbike racing game. When two or more riders are displayed on the screen, the frame-rate drops heavily and becomes painfully 'jerky.'

The motorbike and rider during a normal race are very pixelated and poorly performed, infact you can barely even tell it is a motorbike at all, more like a big blob of colour. Also, the banners over head and on crash barriers are awful, take a look at the screenshots below and you will see what I mean.

Although the in-game graphics are bad, the menus are very well done with some great rock music. The Track editor mode is simple to use, and is a great feature in the game, but the best feature of all has to be the introduction movie. The movie features real race footage put together very nicely, it is a shame though that the best part of this game is an introduction.

Sound

The music tracks on Moto GP are convincing, but seeing as there are only three soundtracks they soon get very repetitive. Less can be said on the motorbike sound effects. When going at full speed it sounds like a buzz saw cutting through wood, not like an actual motorbike. Also, the motorbike sound effects can hardly be heard, only at times when the music goes quiet (this is probably a good thing though)!

Gameplay

The gameplay on this game can be challenging, but in a good way. You can't just put your foot down and go, you have to navigate corners correctly and take care while racing. The only drawback is when the game becomes 'jerky' (as I have said before). It becomes difficult to control.

Hard mode in Moto GP means hard. In fact they should call it impossible mode. If you get overtaken once, you have had it! This however is not the same in easy or normal mode, it certainly is not a challenge to come in second or first.

Story

You have to play through Grand Prix mode to unlock things. It is a good idea, but there is a very small amount to unlock, eight tracks, twelve riders and twelve bikes to be exact. Playing through easy mode will not unlock everything, so you have to play through normal or hard mode. This is again a good idea, but it is still not hard to come second or first at the end of a race while playing in normal mode.

Summary

I would say this game is average, not great, but average. I will not say it is a poor game because it is not. This game could have been improved an awful lot, but it is an average game. Whether or not it is worth the £35 asking price is questionable though. DI