Moto GP4 PS2

Despite a video game pedigree dating back to Road Rash and Motocross Maniacs, motorcycle games are far thinner on the ground than titles celebrating four wheeled vehicles. Why is this? It could be because, while fast or desirable cars are an aspirational commodity for most, awesome bikes are attainable for nearly everyone. It is a lack of bravery, dedication and, some would argue, lunacy rather than a lack of money that prevents people from actually owning them. And if you happen to have a fast bike in real life, maybe you're a little too adrenaline-desensitised to get much of a kick from a video game. Who knows? There are enough bike racing game fans out there to justify more two-wheel-tastic franchises though, and this year is a comparatively bumper one for PS2 owners, with the rather smashing looking Isle of Man TT scheduled for release sometime in summer 2005. Of course, what one immediately thinks of when putting 'PS2' and 'bike racing game' in the same sentence is Moto GP. Namco's long-running series has been with the PlayStation 2 since the early days, when the arcade specialists brought their multiplayer smash to the young console. Updated twice since then, the console edition has taken on a life of its own, with different settings offering both the pick-up-and-play excitement that made the arcade so successful, and enough sim settings to keep the hardcore crowd happy. Now the fourth in the series is ready for release in Europe: Moto GP4. Earlier games in the series were no scrooges when it came to the numbers of tracks featured. Moto GP4 is no exception, featuring 16 real-life tracks, and three unlockable bonus tracks to boot. As well as the excitement, danger and pageantry of the world's premier motorcycle competition, bikes from the very-nearly-as-fast 125cc and 250cc championships are also featured. Just as before, the game features a satisfyingly detailed simulation mode, with rider motions, bike physics and wet and dry weather conditions all more convincing than ever before. Also set to make a