Motorsports offer a thrill like no other, not only to the riders but also to the fans. If you missed the opportunity to become a motorcycle racer in the real world, why not try doing it virtually? Today, I’m taking a look at the most exciting video games that let you experience the thrills of motorcycle riding.
Two months ago, I wrote about the 7 most realistic car racing sim games. At first, I wanted to tackle the same topic, only for motorcycle games. However, it’s pretty tough to simulate the physics of motorcycles compared to cars. So, I shifted the topic from „most realistic“ to „actually fun to play.“ At the end of the day, we want the video games we play to be fun, right? Yes, they can be demanding, tricky to learn, and competitive, but the „fun factor“ should never be out of the picture.
Ride 5: best for an immersive experience with a vast range of bikes and tracks
Ride 5 is the latest installment in the Ride series. It was produced by Milestone, a Milan, Italy-based company specializing in racing games. This video game offers more of an arcade experience than a simulation, and its physics will take a while to get used to. What makes learning even more difficult is the lack of a tutorial or walkthrough of the game’s systems.
So, if you want to start playing this game, be prepared to face a steep learning curve. Bikes feel weighty yet responsive in the acceleration, but turning and breaking before corners feel slightly off. Of course, the experience will differ from player to player, as we all have different expectations and tastes. Moreover, many players shared that it’s more difficult to ride a motorcycle in Ride 5 than it is in real life.
After you get used to the game’s controls, you’ll have a blast experiencing the 233 motorcycles from 14 manufacturers. However, you’ll have to unlock them by making your way through the career mode. There are also some unique bikes, such as the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-7RR 1996, which will delight die-hard moto racing fans. Moreover, you can choose between tracks in three categories: America, Europe, and Asia-Africa. You’ll find popular real-world locations, such as Sonoma Raceway.
Perhaps Ride 5’s best part is its graphics and sound design. The tracks and motorcycles look extra crisp, and the sounds are surprisingly realistic, totally immersing you in the game. However, you lose some of that immersion when you look too closely at the small details, such as the poorly rendered pedestrian onlookers.
One issue is the rival AI – it tends to cause many problems, including rear-ending and clipping you, possibly gaining you some undeserved penalty points.
All in all, Ride 5 looks and sounds incredible. There are tons of motorcycles and tracks to experience, but be aware you might end up getting frustrated by the game’s controls and even by the AI.
MotoGP 24: best for experiencing an authentic, detailed simulation of MotoGP racing
If you’re passionate about competitive motorcycle racing and the strategy behind it, MotoGP 24 might be one of your best options. This game is also made by Milestone – it’s the latest iteration in the long-running series of official MotoGP games. You can experience the full MotoGP 2024 season with all the official teams, riders, and circuits. This game is a lot about strategy – not just managing the tire wear, bike tuning, and fuel levels, but also managing your MotoGP teams, negotiating contracts with sponsors, and more if you choose to play the career mode.
Bikes feel nice yet are difficult to ride, not because the controls aren’t well optimized, but because this game is challenging. Milestone has made some improvements over MotoGP 23. The company introduced a new stewarding system that awards long laps and other penalties. While this is, in theory, a good thing, as the AI riders will be penalized if they crash into each other, you might also be penalized in scenarios in which you’re not at fault.
Another new feature that will be useful, especially for beginners, is Adaptive Difficulty. Based on your riding, the game will adjust the difficulty of the AI so you can enjoy competitive races.
Regarding graphics, the game looks great. The rider models are fluid, and the bikes look solid. You get Moto 2, Moto3, and (of course) MotoGP bikes. There are even all-electric MotoE bikes available. Sounds are also on point, and they do an excellent job immersing you in the races. Moreover, the weather system, which was introduced in previous games, works perfectly and offers an extra challenge.
Finally, you get some customization options for your rider, including designing your number, adding a butt logo, selecting the gear for your rider, and even choosing how many fingers you use on the brakes.
Overall, MotoGP 24 doesn’t stand out that much from its predecessor, but it’s the best option for gamers looking for a very competitive experience. It’s challenging yet fun, and getting used to the game’s mechanics won’t take that long, as it does with the Ride series.
TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge 2: best for high-speed, adrenaline-fueled racing on the most dangerous course in motorsport
If you’re remotely familiar with motorcycle racing, you’ve probably heard about the Isle of Man TT. It’s by far the most dangerous motorcycle race, and this game immerses you in the exciting action. Released in March 2020 by Kylotonn, TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge 2 faithfully recreates riding like a maniac on the infamous Snaefell Mountain Course. It offers decent graphics: not as good as Ride 5, but they more than do the job. Anyway, you’ll barely have time to admire your surroundings as you speed through the streets.
Regarding physics, the game upgrades on the previous iteration – the bikes move around more beneath you and can be a bit twitchy sometimes. What’s more, the faster you go, the more natural the bike will feel to control, and there’s a satisfying feeling of weight and balance as you lean these machines around narrow roads.
The developers have faithfully recreated the high-speed course – even the slightest mistakes might lead to a high-speed crash. Regarding handling, the game is not a full-on simulation, but it offers zero margin for error, just like in real life.
Even with all the assists, if you don’t know the track layout, you’ll fall off or crash. While this may sound hardcore for some gamers, the game pushes you to learn to flow through the course. You can also race on 17 additional fictional road circuits set in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland.
You get a decent-sized career mode that lets you create an avatar and become a star of the Isle of Man TT. However, there’s minimal rider and bike customization. You get a free-roam mode if you want to take it slow and practice.
This videogame offers an impressive selection of superbly recreated bikes, from the Supersport and Superbike classes to legendary Classic bikes, to celebrate the heritage of this insane race. Furthermore, the bike engine noise, wind noise, and sounds from the cheering crowd blend beautifully to immerse you in the experience.
So, if you’re up for a challenge, TT Isle of Man: Ride on the Edge 2 will definitely deliver. It offers a unique virtual recreation of what it’s like to ride a superbike at full speed around public roads, something you’ll (probably) never do in real life.
RiMS Racing: best for players who love both racing and the technical side of motorcycles, including customization and maintenance
If you’re into the technical side of motorcycle racing, then RiMS Racing is for you. It stands out among the other titles on this list, emphasizing bike management and mechanical engineering. Its creator, RaceWard, set out to create a pure motorbike racing simulator with a focus on the career mode. But it’s not just about winning but also about taking control of each aspect of the bike.
You get a total of just eight instantly recognizable bikes, each from a renowned manufacturer, and ten international race tracks, such as Laguna Seca, Zolder, Nurburgring, and more. RaceWard has taken a „less is more“ approach, choosing much fewer bikes but allowing you to explore them in overwhelming detail, something you won’t find in any other game.
You first learn about brake pads and can even remove and fit new ones yourself. You then do that with the many parts that make up a motorcycle – each part wears down and needs to be kept in check, as they affect the bike’s performance, just like in real life. This unique feature will offer a sense of satisfaction, especially after you refresh your two-wheeler with new parts.
After you’re done with shaping your bike, how will it feel on the road? The game’s physics engine adds a real sense of weight to the motorcycles. Braking is spot-on, and even a slight clip of a curb can end in disaster. The stakes are even higher in career mode.
The graphics are good but don’t expect the most detailed environmental experience. The motorbike and rider animations look relatively realistic. Moreover, RaceWard captured real-world sounds not only from the trackside but also from numerous onboard angles. So, racing alongside other bikes will deliver the best-sounding moments in the game.
One downside is the AI, as AI riders tend to crash into each other, slightly limiting the enjoyment of racing.
Overall, RiMS Racing offers a fresh take on motorcycle customization, maintenance, and racing. The game is quite difficult but consistent, offering a rewarding experience once you get the hang of it.
MX Bikes: best for intense motocross racing with countless community-driven content
If you love dirt bikes, you’ll probably also love MX Bikes. This is your go-to option if you’re looking for a (fairly) realistic motocross simulator. Almost needless to say, the graphics in this game won’t blow you away. They look decent for a 2019 game, but that’s about it. However, you won’t get this game for its graphics but rather for its fine off-road riding feel.
When it comes to physics, they’re very realistic yet also „arcadey“ enough to make the game fun and not too difficult to play. The game does an excellent job connecting you with the bike and the bike to the ground.
Getting the hang of the controls is pretty challenging – once you do that, you’ll feel immense satisfaction nailing the jumps, and the game will keep you glued to the screen.
What makes this game stand out from similar titles is its tracks. You’ll find a seemingly endless supply of free tracks and paid ones for just a few bucks.
Here’s where things get even better. There’s a large modding community for MX Bikes – that’s a crystal clear sign of any game’s success. There are many player-made bike graphics, models (even Harley motorcycles), and tracks to choose from. In fact, you might even find your local dirt bike course as a mod available for the game.
You won’t have problems finding online lobbies, although things sometimes get buggy when racing with high-ping players, especially if you get too close to them on the track. Moreover, the „skill ceiling“ is very high – even after thousands of hours in the game, you’ll still find better players from which you can learn something new.
Bonus Mentions:
Trials Rising is a 2.5D physics platformer and racing game in one. You might have played a game in the Trials series on mobile, but this latest installment rekindles the series with better graphics and addictive gameplay. You get challenges, analog bikes, a satisfying sense of pure control as you balance the rider’s weight, and much more. If you’re looking for an open-world motorcycle racing game, the best options are The Crew 2 and GTA V.
The Crew 2 has cars, motorcycles, planes, and even boats, and lets you race them across different terrains and virtually recreated iconic locations across the United States. It’s all about having fun and exploring, although you can partake in plenty of races.
GTA V needs no presentation – it’s one jewel of the game crafted by the seriously talented people at Rockstar Games. I know; you can tell I’m a GTA fan from this single sentence, although I haven’t played it in a very long time. Like most people, I’m waiting for GTA 6. GTA V offers plenty of bikes to choose from. There’s no point talking about realism and physics here, as that’s not the focus of the gameplay. Anyway, what matters is that you’ll certainly have tons of fun riding both on and off the road across the game’s massive map.
In conclusion, these video games offer a variety of experiences for motorcycle enthusiasts, from realistic simulations to arcade-style gameplay. Whether you’re into high-speed racing, technical customization, or off-road motocross, there’s a game on this list for you. So, grab your controller, rev up your virtual engine, and get ready to experience the thrills of motorcycle riding from the comfort of your own home. Let me know in the comment section below whether you’ve played (and enjoyed) these titles and if any other games should have a spot on this list.
