MX Unleashed

by THQ Software

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

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000ZG4AA
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches ; 4.5 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: February 17, 2004
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,488 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Platform: Xbox

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


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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!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love that sound, April 5, 2004

By 

coopertex (CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: MX Unleashed (Video Game)

MX Unleashed for the XBOX system is one of the best motorcross games out there. The game is a bit more arcadey than a simulation, there is very little realism, but there is a whole lot of fun. Your motorcycle's physics are floaty and they were purposely made this way, so that your jumps are very high and last longer in mid-air. This is important in gameplay mechanics because you are allowed to make stunts while in mid-air (kinda like Tony Hawk on a motorcycle.) You can pick an assortment of characters, lots of different dirt bikes and race tracks. Using the same format of, "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater", you unlock more maps when you accomplish certain tasks in a level. There is an easy-to-use Level Editor, included so you can create your own stunt arenas. They even included a mode called "Human Dart", which is a nice mini game. There is also Free-ride where you can do whatever you want/no rules (free-form gameplay).

Pros:
+free-form gameplay
+excellent graphics
+excellent controls
+excellent sound effects
+excellent stunt system
+excellent frame-rate
+excellent level editor
+motion-blur effects
+fun missions/tasks
+fun mini games
+lots of bikes/options
+large maps
+rag-doll physics
+floaty physics

Cons:
-all race tracks locked at first
-tutorial not very helpful
-trashy rock music

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Badass game, March 16, 2004

By 

kickmyster (Los Angeles,CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: MX Unleashed (Video Game)

Well, i think that mx unleashed is a bad ass game.I think it is cool because you get to use monSter trucks,dune buggys,airplanes,trophy trucks,and even helicopters!The way to get all this machines is to play it on career mode.Or you can buy the machine with the money that you have earned.You get your money by beating the levels and races.One of the codes that I know is for the 50cc which is SQUIRRELDOG.The 50cc is a little motercycle.Here are some tips:to do a backflip hit up and down before you get of the ramp.Also to beat the machines stay on the rode,it is ok to get off sometimes.Oh ya,you get to create your own player.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great game!, March 17, 2004

By 

Scott M. (Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: MX Unleashed (Video Game)

Why are you reading this....Go get and play the game. It is awesome. Very fun. You can free ride, race, and even freestyle. It has it all. Even has a feature to help you pick the best line for the fastest lap times. The one thing this game needed was a replay ability. I have done some amazing tricks I wanted to see again and replay would have been cool. This game is a must if you are into MX at all.

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