MotoGP 08 on Wii
Apr 6th, 2009 by Leo
So it’s raining and you’re tired, so a ride is out of the question, but what if you still want to go for a few quick laps? Motorcycle simulations are like the stupid cousins of videogames. There are some good driving simulations out there (that simulate the skills, and racing lines, and hardware not the actual excitement of driving), and there are even better flight simulators…but motorcycles get shortchanged. The main problem with motorcycle simulations is turning inputs. Pressing “d” on a controller can’t even remotely suggest the control of pushing a handlebar…or the dynamics of leaning a bike over to turn it. But what if you could tilt your controller to the left? More tilt = more lean.
So here’s my pseudo review of MotoGP 08 for the Wii. It takes some time to get used to shifting with the left thumb (six down on the control pad, ala gp shift). The front brake is the 1 button on the right hand and the throttle is the button to the right. I spent some time getting used to all this in “simulation mode” on a 125 before jumping into MotoGP mode. It’s hard just to stay on the track at first. There’s no use looking at the speedo numbers, you just have to listen to what the engine sounds like in a particular gear to set your speed (like on a real race bike). By the time I ran a full 22 lap race, I was kinda’ hooked (came in 5th). And when I got my first first-place ahead of Rossi, in a short 5 lap race (on “Easy” mode), I think my neighbors heard an audible “Wuhoo!” from the apartment next door.
Is it like riding a motorcycle? No not at all. But it is kinda’ like *watching* motorcycling which isn’t bad! It actually made me think of watching 600s in Superstock: aggressive dueling with no fear of getting hurt, amazing take overs… So here’s my verdict: if you have a Wii then this is worth the $40 or so ata Amazon. If you don’t have a Wii, it’s not worth getting one just for this…(although I think Wii Sports and Wii Fit do make the system worth getting). So there’s my two cents. Sorry there were no posts last week, I was sick as a dog!
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It got bad reviews, but I rented it for free, and it kind of grows on you, plus if you like to steer like a real bike, you don’t have any other options for a motorcycle game.
That motorcycle game for the Iphone is the only reason that I want one, the movement looks closer to the real thing.