MX Unleashed (Playstation 2)

by Rainbow Studios

Product Features

• Try your luck in Career Mode, complete with 15 intense rounds -- or go for Supercross, Freestyle or Nationals mode
• Race on huge, dangerous outdoor motocross tracks -- filled with obstacles and realistic weather effects like fog, rain, and snow
• Players can unlock amazing game secrets by pulling off stunts and trick combos - race in(or against) monster trucks, biplanes and more
• Multiple classes of bikes to choose from - newly-added 50cc bikes, to 125cc, 250cc, and 500cc bikes
• See if you can make a tremendous jump into a floating hot-air balloon for massive points -- just one of the crazy stunts waiting for you in MX Unleashed!

Product Details

• ASIN: B0000ZG4A0
• Media: DVD Audio
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,251 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #48 in Video Games > PlayStation 2 > Racing
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Game Informer Review

Motocross games are an evolutionary step behind the rest of the extreme sports genre. I don't say that because I think it's an inferior sport or because I think that you have to be inherently devoid of brains to do some of the stupid, sick tricks they perform. I say this only because Rainbow Studios and THQ have teamed up to finally give the rest of us a motocross game that tries to update the sport. When I say "us," I mean anybody who doesn't break limbs for a living on 250cc monsters tearing through the sky.

MX Unleashed combines a lengthy career mode with Freestyle worlds whose layouts play more like a Tony Hawk game. This isn't a reinvention of the wheel by any means, it's just that its execution meant that I actually gave a damn about a motocross game for more than ten minutes. Run around in the environments and you'll encounter challenges like racing against a monster truck and other vehicles (which you then earn if you win), stunt competitions, and both Hit and Run activities. Runs are a series of jumps you have to perform in a row, while Hits are a series of runs that have to be done before competing riders finish theirs. Hits and Runs were my favorite Freestyle activities because you really had to nail your timing well and having to do all the jumps in succession was a cool challenge. A close second was earning the vehicles like the plane and buzzing around the worlds in those. This sounds stupid as hell, but I couldn't help smiling. One of the other small joys of Freestyle was the ambient life. Whether it was the riders or the trucks (with jumps on their flatbeds!), there was always something going on.

Rainbow is mainly known as a developer with great physics, and here they don't disappoint. I can say that this is the first motocross game whose trick system didn't piss me off. I also like that you really have to think when you go out on the demanding courses. You can't just pre-load to the max all the time – you have to know the layout of the tracks and use your clutch and pre-load at varying strengths to keep your momentum out there. Finally, I should fault the game for having inconsistent collision, but it was just forgiving enough that it kept the fun rolling.

Motocross has had an inglorious history of false starts, lots of franchises without enough distinction between them, and just mediocrity. This newest partnership is a good one, with the only problem being that it wasn't seized upon sooner. More straight-up innovation is needed next time, but until then, we've got a good solid game on our hands.

The Edge

ive the edge without a doubt to the Xbox version. The graphics are simply crisper - something you instantly notice when flying 20 feet in the air with five other riders while your pulling off a Saran Wrap. Oh yeah, you'll also take note of it when the dirt particles fly as you eat it trying to land. The only disappointing note on this front is that the Xbox cannot get rid of the fogging problem in the Freestyle worlds. Other than that, I suggest you re-map the Thrill camera onto a trigger button. It sounds totally trivial - until you see yourself stylin' high in teh sky, and then you can't stop using it.

Concept:
Open up the motocross world with Tony Hawk-inspired Freestyle courses

Graphics:
There are some nice textures and dirt particles on the tracks, but too much fogging in Freestyle

Sound:
The whining of the bikes is drowned out only by the smattering of small-time bands

Playability:
The clutch will take some practice, but the trick controls are responsive

Entertainment:
The game's structure is nothing new, but it's a good first step in getting the sport into everyone's hands

Replay:
Moderately High

Rated: 8 out of 10
Editor: Matthew Kato
Issue: March 2004

2nd Opinion:
I wouldn't be surprised if I was the first person in the history of video games to say that an MX title blew me away. As we all know, this genre has been running on two flat tires since its inception. With Rainbow Studios on the scene, this is all about to change. Offering a better understanding of vehicular physics than any other developer, Rainbow Studios has created the ultimate gameplay package. Squaring up turns, preloading jumps, stringing together trick combos, it's all here. While the silky smooth handling steals the show, this title also boasts great depth and ingenuity in its selection of modes. You'll even find yourself squaring off against a monster truck. You can't help but applaud the little things as well such as the ease of play from the first-person helmet cam. Even without online play, MX Unleashed soars high above the competition and is just as fun as Rainbow's previous works.

Rated: 8.5 out of 10
Editor: Andrew Reiner


Subscribe to Game Informer

Product Description

MX Unleashed - The game for fans of fast and wild racing is here. MX Unleashed brings to life the craziest and most intense elements of motocross & supercross racing. Realistic physics, incredible action and impossible tricks are waiting for you, in this hardcore racing action game!

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best motocross game since motocross madness 2, February 19, 2004

By 

C. Taylor (Houston, Tx United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: MX Unleashed (Playstation 2) (DVD Audio)

Ever wish you could catch air on a dirt bike like those crazy motocross racers like Bubba Stewart or Chad Reed? Well now you can with MX Unleashed. This game straps you to the seat of a wild growing sport of Motocross. With excellent graphics (supports HD 480P), intense game play, and mind boggling stunts, great soundtrack, this game is as close as you can get to real racing. The controls are simple and straight forward. The best dirt bike game to date since Motocross Madness 2 on PC. I kept my playstation 2 around just for the release of MX Unleashed and I'm glad I did.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars natedog, November 13, 2004

By 

Natedog (ohio) - See all my reviews

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:1.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: MX Unleashed (Playstation 2) (DVD Audio)

This game is very cool because you can do double back flips. Also you can race in a race. It is very fun because you can drive monster trucks and Fly airplanes. You can ramp ofver roads and on the back of trucks. You can ramp a farm. It rocks!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best motocross game out there., February 12, 2004

By 

SlackaRocker (Iowa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: MX Unleashed (Playstation 2) (DVD Audio)

Well finally we have a good motocross game on a console. I would say it is equal to Motocross Madness 2 on PC. Even tho, the game is not out yet, I have played the demo. It is awesome. The way the rider moves on the bike is better than anything. The only downfall is the airtime is unrealistic. Still worth the money.