MotoCross Madness 2

• publisher: Microsoft
• developer: Rainbow Studios

When Motocross Madness was first released last year, it was a breakthrough in motorcycle racing games. It was also the best selling game of its genre, wasting the closest competition from Sierra Studios. Certainly the fact that its publisher was none other than the almighty Microsoft, who's marketing machine is second to none, didn't harm the sales figures, but Motocross Madness was also a damn fine game.

When the original game was first released, 3D cards were still in their infancy, and the Voodoo2 was, well, something only the rich kids had. But now, with third generation 3D cards such as the GeForce taking things to the new level, Microsoft and Rainbow Studios are ready and waiting to take full advantage of everything that today's new computers can do.

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Motocross Madness had almost everything that anybody could ever want in terms of gameplay, and those evil geniuses at Microsoft ain't gonna fix something that ain't broke. MCM2 will feature every type of race that the original did, but it will also include two more. The first is a Pro-Racing circuit, where you will play a rookie and eventually become a superstar (hopefully). The AI for this type of game, and all others, has been considerably beefed up, at least that's what Microsoft says. The second type of race will be called Euduro racing. This event will be a race, where you will race in environments such as a trailer park and derelict airfields.

And what about the new graphics? Well, according to Microsoft, will feature more than six times the level of detail of the original game. (Does this mean six times the bugs too…?? Just kidding, cause we all know Microsoft.) The outdoor environments will be several square miles large, and will be populated with up to fifty-thousand 3D objects such as trees, slicks, gravel, mud, and vehicles like trains, airplanes, helicopters, and cars. The tracks have also been remade to be more accurate to the originals, with help from Supercross superstar Stephane Roncada.

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These stunning 3D graphics will be a great improvement as will the sound. Microsoft promises true 3D sound effects, positional sound, Doppler effects and far more realistic sound. For even greater realism, the deep pockets of Microsoft have helped obtain licenses from Honda, KTM and Yamaha for the motorcycles and equipment licenses from Fox Racing and Answer.

Motocross Madness 2 will be fully compatible with Microsoft's incredible MSN Gaming Zone, which I think is one of the best communities out there. (Second only to the MegaGames community of course :)) MCM2 will feature the formation of leagues, ladders, teams and tournaments and a brand new online scoring system. MCM2 will also be fully customizable giving you the option to create you own skins and if you want, your own 3D tracks with the included 3D track editor.

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The finishing touch to any motorcross are the outrageous stunts. Again, Microsoft saw that that there really wasn't anything wrong with the original ones, but they decided to add some new ones in anyway. Of course you'll have to play the game to see them all, but take a look at these screenshots in the meantime.

The original MCM was one of Microsoft's greatest gaming successes. Will MCM2 be the next. Well, are people still interesting in shelling out $40 dollars (or more) for a sequel? I guess we'll have to wait and see if the Microsoft marketing machine can make people interested.