When the original MotoGP was released for the Xbox it didn't get much attention. Sure, the hardcore racing fans knew about it and loved it, but it wasn't until the demo version shipped with the Xbox Live Starter Kit that it got widespread acclaim. Suddenly, it went from a niche title to a mass-market hit, thanks to its snappy online gameplay.

Shiny New Toys

Compared to its older brother, MotoGP 2 has been upgraded in every conceivable way. About the only thing that has been left untouched is the spot-on physics engine. Why fix what isn't broken? Visually, the game has gotten upgrades to both the bikes and the tracks. All 10 of the original courses are here, along with six new ones to keep things fresh. New four-stroke bikes are now available to race alongside the standard two-stoke models providing a fresh challenge. The four-stroke bikes are more powerful, but they are heavier and more difficult to drive.

The bikes and the riders are now drawn with more detailed textures, giving an even more lifelike look to the proceedings. The courses have also been fleshed out so they look like living environments instead of static backgrounds. Weather effects are another major improvement. When rain hits the track you can not only see the effect, but feel it. The level of control is degraded directly proportional to the amount of water on the tarmac.

Full Live Integration

The most noticeable difference, though, is the full integration of online play via Xbox Live. Whereas some games make Live support feel like an afterthought, in MotoGP 2 it is there at every step of the way. When you first boot the game it searches for a Live gamertag. If it finds one, then the gamertag automatically becomes your MotoGP 2 character name. If not, you can simply create an off-line profile.

If you have a Live subscription, be prepared to waste more than a few hours online. MotoGP 2's online play can be quite addicting, especially at the higher skill levels. Once you learn how to handle your bike properly, the online battles can become quite heated. Allowing up to 16 players at any given time, MotoGP 2 offers a seamless online racing experience. Although I did get dropped once, the actual gameplay was solid and lag free. Even with people chattering away over the communicator, I never once noticed any jerkiness or loss of game sync. If it happened, the game is very good about hiding it.

Even when you're not playing online, MotoGP 2 still has a link to Live so long as your Xbox is connected to the Internet. Any records set in the single-player mode are automatically uploaded to the Live leaderboards for all to see. Now, if you score a killer time, you can brag about it to the world -- with proof. Being able to brag about your high scores isn't the only incentive to racing well. MotoGP 2 features oodles of unlockable content from extra tracks and characters, to cheats and bonus videos of actual MotoGP races. It isn't often that you find a game with this much worthwhile content.

Rounding out the Live feature set is the custom character mode. This allows you to set the color scheme for both your bike and your rider, as well as applying a unique decal. You can use this to create a distinct identity online, but be warned: Creating a good looking-decal is harder than it sounds.

Extra Modes
Uh-oh! Time to bust a U!
In addition to the main gameplay modes, MotoGP 2 also offers a stunt mode to break up the monotony. Unfortunately, there are no specific stunt tracks to race on; instead, you simply pull tricks on the regular courses. As a result, the stunt mode does feel a bit limited. A full-on stunt track would have been perfect. The included training mode also feels a bit hampered, as it does not really teach you how to play. Rather, it tells you what to do, and you are expected to simply figure out how to accomplish it -- not the most user-friendly thing out there.

While it does have a few minor problems, the positives in MotoGP 2 most definitely outweigh the negatives. What's here is well-polished and ready to impress. Whether you are a fan of the original or new to the series, you really cannot go wrong by adding this little gem to your collection. Just be prepared to set aside a good deal of time if you are a Live subscriber -- racing online can be quite the addictive pastime.