MotoGP 3 sees several new enhancements. There are five new real world circuits for a total of 15, including Brno Circuit in Czech, Estoril Circuit in Portugal, and Phillip Island Circuit in Australia. On top of that are 20 fantasy circuits that can be unlocked. The latest MotoGP adds a 4-player competitive mode through the PS2 multitap. Just to be add a flair for racing cool is a new cockpit view that puts your right behind the motorcycle shield.

The game features a comprehensive set of modes: Arcade, Season, Time Trial, Challenge, and Legends. Arcade lets you choose every particular about a race – laps, difficulty, weather, simulation on/off, and distribution of bike properties. Season mode lets you race a 15 races over 1 or 5 years. Challenge mode ups the ante this year with 100 challenges. Some are as simple as finishing a race in 1st place, while most test your skill in a multitude of areas. Completing challenges allow you to unlock extras in the game like fantasy tracks, helmets, and bikers. Legends mode lets you race between four MotoGP racing legends with arcade mode customizations.

Gameplay is largely similar to the first two titles. Arcade mode is easily accessible with no crashes for excessive leaning, hitting the dirt, or bumping another player; though flying straight into another player or wall will knock you off. Simulation mode has a very high learning curve and is extremely difficult. Every turn requires the correct rate of speed and amount of lean in order for it to be cleared. Add rain to the mix and you’ve got a real fight on your hands.

The most apparent gameplay addition is the ability to use the bike’s front brake or rear brake. Using the rear brake allows more glide during turns, rather than fully breaking, then adjusting for the turn. The option mixes up the gameplay a bit and provides a bit more strategy than before. Players can also lean their weight forward or back on the bike to accelerate out of turns better, or lean into turns better, respectively.

Namco’s MotoGP has always carried a level of fast, clean graphics. This year is no different. Each bike and rider is immaculately detailed. Red and white side markers reflect over bikes and helmets, colors are more vibrant, and the cockpit view puts you right on the bike, with a full view of bike instrumentation and glare reflecting off the bike’s shield. The rain effect seen in MotoGP 2 is back and looks as realistic as ever. The series’ helicopter cam replays still rival live broadcast footage. Music is comprised of hard rock and techno tracks that keep the action pumping along. Bike sounds are largely distinguishable. When someone is on your tail you’ll hear a rival bike creep up in increasing volume.

The one feature that holds MotoGP 3 back from the competition is a lack of online play. While 4-player split screen is nice, 16-player racing on Climax’s MotoGP just can’t be touched. But there’s always next year.

MotoGP 3 is a solid racer worthy of any motorcycle fans’ attention. The sequel isn’t a major overhaul, but the added tracks and gameplay further enhances an already solid racing series.