VMX Racing

This game is OK, but it was generally a disappointment to me. I have been waiting for a company to create the ultimate motocross game as long as I can remember, and have yet to be satisfied.

Don't get me wrong, VMX Racing is a pretty fun game, and is as close to real motocross as anyone has ever got on the console. But, sadly it is not the ultimate racing experience that I was expecting.

This game does have some good traits. The jumps are high, and you can flick your bike in the air easy enough, but it just doesn't have the realistic feeling that I was looking for.

You have two classes to choose from, 250cc, and 125cc. Just like real motocross. You also have National races, Stadium races, and Enduro races. There are many tracks, and racers to choose from. They have added much realism from the sport of motocross, but they have left out a few of the finer points.

In real motocross, dirt flies everywhere, and your engine revs according to your throttle response. In VMX Racing, there is rarely any dirt being kicked up, and the throttle has only two responses, on and off. To me, these are the biggest shortcomings of the game. Had Playmates spent a little more time in this area, they would've had a real winner.

I'm starting to sound as if I didn't like the game. I actually did. It's just that it didn't provide the realism that I have been waiting for. You see, I raced many years. I have even almost lost my life for motocross (I ruptured my spleen at age 16 in a motocross accident). I love the sport so much, that I have constantly risked my life for it. I'm now 30 years old, and no longer race. I still crave the excitement of the sport though, so I really wanted a killer motocross game.

This is not that killer game, but it is still fun. I had many hours of fun double and triple jumping the bike. The computer AI was well done, and much of the excitement of real motocross really came through. It's good, just not real good. If your a motocross fan, by all means, give it a try.

RATINGS
GRAPHICS 81%
SOUND 68%
GAMEPLAY 75%
ORIGINALITY 83%
REPLAY VALUE 85%
OVERALL 78%