MotoGP 26 Review – Fun, But Flawed

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We recently tested MotoGP 26, the newest game from Milestone S.r.l. This edition of the popular MotoGP series includes features like updated rider ratings that change during races, two different gameplay modes (arcade and pro), and collectible cards. But do these new additions make the game worth playing? Our review will tell you what we think.

MotoGP 26 Review – What is MotoGP 26?

MotoGP 26 is a motorcycle racing video game made and released by Milestone S.r.l. It’s the 15th game in their popular MotoGP series. Milestone has been creating racing games for over 25 years, starting with their first motorcycle racer, “Superbike World Championship,” in 1999. They’ve since become well-known for developing a variety of racing game franchises, including:

  • Superbike (Later released as SBK)
  • WRC
  • MXGP
  • Ride
  • Hot Wheels Unleashed
  • & Many More

After three decades of making racing games, Milestone has become a true expert in the field.

MotoGP 26 lets you race with all the official teams and over 70 real riders from the MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3 championships. It also includes new tracks and brings back the exciting Brazilian Grand Prix.

As a gamer, I’m so excited to hear this game is coming to pretty much everything! You can get it on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, the new Nintendo Switch 2, and even on PC. That means everyone can play!

Gameplay – MotoGP 26 Review

Having played RIDE 6 earlier, I had a general idea of what MotoGP 26 would be like. But I was pleasantly surprised to find the gameplay feels noticeably smoother and more refined.

For me, the best part of any sports game – whether it’s racing or something else – is how much control you get as a player. I really get into a game when it lets me feel like I’m truly in charge. And after trying out everything this game offers, I think it nails that feeling – you really have a lot of control over how you play and what you do.

The game has two main modes: Pro and Arcade. Arcade mode is designed to be more accessible for casual players. You can also customize your experience by adjusting the AI’s skill level and using assists for things like braking and steering, letting you play exactly how you prefer.

I enjoy the Arcade mode more, as I’m not very good at Pro. But overall, it’s great that the developer provides options for both new and skilled players. Just keep in mind that if you want to submit scores for Time Trials, you need to complete them on the Pro difficulty.

MotoGP 26 includes the usual range of game modes you’d find in racing games, and those fans of the series will be familiar with.

The game lets you jump into a Grand Prix and race as a real-world rider. It’s a straightforward but enjoyable mode for casual racing. No racing game is complete without a Grand Prix option, and this one delivers with a variety of tracks based on actual locations. Even in a simple mode like GP, racing at places like Le Mans remains fun.

Championship mode is a more detailed version of Grand Prix mode, letting you design your own races and combine them into a full season. It’s a good option if you enjoy career mode but want to skip the management aspects like meetings, interviews, and bike upgrades, and just concentrate on the racing itself.

I really enjoy Time Trials – it’s a perfect way to relax and play. Most of us are already familiar with how it works, and it hasn’t changed much this year. It’s fantastic for mastering the game beyond the initial tutorial, and there are even a few achievements to encourage you to give it a try.

MotoGP 26 includes a roster of 70 authentic riders from 38 teams competing in MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3. Each rider has unique stats that will update to reflect real-world performance throughout the season. Plus, every rider handles differently, giving you more strategic options as you progress.

Generally, top riders all have a similar riding style and are enjoyable to race with – Marc and Alex Marquez are good examples, as are most of the current leading riders. However, the difference in skill and experience is much more noticeable when you compare someone like Marquez to a rider from the Moto3 class.

The game isn’t just about the racers themselves. It also features 22 realistic tracks modeled after famous circuits around the world, like Silverstone, Austin, and Chang. With so many locations to choose from, and each one fun to race on, you’ll have a blast and never run out of new challenges.

MotoGP 26 offers more than just the standard racing experience. Its Race-Off Mode allows you to enjoy a diverse selection of bikes and tracks, providing a fresh alternative to the usual game.

The game features several different race types, including Flat Track, Motard, Minibike, and the new Production Bike category. You can enjoy these in Quick Modes or as part of the Career mode. I’ll explain them in more detail soon, but I can already say they’re really fun! Each race type feels unique and demands a different riding style.

Of all the Quick Races, I especially enjoyed the new Production Bikes. Racing a Ducati Panigale on the fresh Canterbury Park track was a blast, and Race Off includes five other tracks to choose from.

MotoGP 26 offers a good range of game modes that will keep racing fans engaged. The existing modes – like Grand Prix, Championship, Time Trials, and Quick Races – are all well-executed, but it would be great to see the developers experiment with something completely new in the future. While not essential, a fresh mode would really elevate the experience.

I’m glad to see the new bikes and track added to the game. However, I believe the series could be even better by exploring some more unique and unconventional ideas. The game already does a great job of making players feel like they’re really racing with authentic drivers and locations.

I’ve always had a blast playing Milestone’s games, they really know how to make things fun. That’s why I’m hoping they’ll add something totally unique to MotoGP 26 – a new mode that’ll really set it apart from other racing games.

The gameplay is really enjoyable. The controls are smooth and responsive, and the game feels significantly more refined than RIDE 6. Milestone has quickly improved all areas of the racing experience, and the extensive control options let players tailor the game to their own preferences.

The bike feels incredibly smooth to control – turning, speeding up, and handling all feel natural. When I did crash, it was almost always because of my own mistake. I especially appreciate how realistic the crashes look, with the way the rider falls and the camera angles. I tend to play pretty aggressively, so I often end up bumping into other racers or walls.

I usually get annoyed in other racing games, but this one is too hilarious to get upset about – both when I crash and when I watch others do! The game lets you rewind, which was helpful at first, but it’s actually more enjoyable to just play without it.

Like most sports games, MotoGP 26 might get repetitive after a while – that’s just how these games tend to be. Think carefully about whether you’ll enjoy playing it for many hours. However, the game’s various modes and how it plays should keep you engaged for a good stretch of time.

I didn’t get a chance to fully try out the Multiplayer mode. It has cross-play, letting you race with others on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, and those races can include up to 22 drivers total – it sounds like a really exciting and unpredictable experience! Unfortunately, if you’re playing on Nintendo Switch, the races are limited to 12 players, which might not be ideal for everyone.

MotoGP 26 delivers a solid and enjoyable gameplay experience, building on everything fans have loved in previous installments. New features like Rider-based handling and Production Bikes add fresh content, and the game feels more refined and fun to play in Arcade mode.

The game is really enjoyable, with well-developed core modes and plenty of tracks. I do wish there was just one more game type added. However, we still need to talk about the Career Mode – it’s a significant part of the overall experience.

Career – MotoGP 26 Review

MotoGP 26’s Career Mode is a highlight, and this year it’s been significantly improved with a completely redesigned 3D Paddock, collectible cards, and other exciting additions.

Taking control is central to the experience, and MotoGP 26’s career mode lets you build the racing career you’ve always dreamed of. You can create a custom rider or choose from the official MotoGP roster, starting your journey in Moto3 and working your way up to the premier MotoGP class.

Career Mode is easy to understand, but offers plenty to do, preventing it from becoming repetitive. I especially liked starting my journey in Moto3 – it felt really motivating.

In Career mode, you’ll race at least once a week, either in scheduled Grand Prix events or special races invited by other riders. These invitationals are a good way to improve your relationships with other drivers and boost your reputation. Beyond the races themselves, you’ll also find plenty of other activities to keep you engaged.

Throughout the year, you’ll participate in things like press conferences, meetings with your manager, and team debriefings. These activities help ensure each work experience is unique.

During press conferences, you can either create rivalries with other riders by challenging them, or build relationships by giving them praise. These interactions spark rivalries that you can win by performing better than your rivals over the next five races. Successful overtakes, finishing first, and consistent, clean driving will help you gain the upper hand and earn more reputation. You might also be asked your opinion on how your teammates are doing.

You can also share what you’re prioritizing. Your choices here affect things like how well-known you become and how your team grows. Do you want to concentrate on making the bike better, or do you prefer to focus on becoming popular and boosting your reputation?

Regular check-ins with your manager can help you plan your career. It’s a good time to discuss your goals, like which teams or projects you’re interested in. While those conversations are valuable, I especially enjoy collaborating with the engineering team to prioritize their work.

You have a chance to influence your team’s progress by suggesting improvements. While you can always trust your engineers to handle things, these meetings offer a valuable opportunity to provide input – for example, if you want to make a bike handle better or perform more powerfully.

During Race Weekend, you can choose to jump straight into the race, follow a simple weekend plan, or go for the full experience. Racing directly is the quickest way to move forward, but you’ll always begin at the back of the grid. I suggest opting for the basic weekend structure instead, which includes a practice session (or two if you need them) and a qualifying round.

One of the best things about race weekend is the ability to tailor everything to your liking. You can set the race length to be exactly what you want, whether it’s quick or extended. Then, once the race starts, it’s just about having fun playing MotoGP 26.

Just like the actual game, Career Mode lets you take charge of almost everything. You have a lot of freedom to do pretty much anything you want, such as:

  • Customizing your rider/bike
  • Assisting in bike development
  • Developing rivalries
  • Participating in race-offs
  • Building your reputation
  • Meeting with managers and engineers
  • Attending press conferences
  • Switching teams
  • & Collecting Cards

MotoGP 26 includes collectible cards that players can earn as they play. You’ll unlock card packs which are added to a dedicated collectibles section. These cards are only for collecting and don’t affect gameplay in any way – they’re purely cosmetic.

A major benefit is the inclusion of microtransactions, and I want to commend Milestone for making it a free feature without any unfair advantages for paying players. I think this system works well and hope to see it again. However, I’d personally prefer if players had to earn the cards through gameplay rather than simply buying packs.

To unlock a specific item, players might need to win the Dutch Grand Prix three times in first place. While it might not be the best approach overall, this could be a fun way to collect items and keep players coming back for more. It’s inspired by games like Kirby Air-Ride, which encourages repeat play through its challenges.

I really liked Career Mode, but I ran into a frustrating problem during my first Moto3 season. My game kept crashing during a practice session near the end of the year, and I couldn’t start the event. I’ve tried everything – closing and restarting the game, even uninstalling and reinstalling it – but nothing seems to fix the issue.

I faced a really difficult situation: either wait for a fix to the problem, or completely change my career path. I chose to wait, which is unfortunate because it meant I couldn’t progress any further.

Look, I ran into a snag while playing, and honestly, I don’t want it to ruin the game’s score completely. I do want to let other players know it happened to me, just so you’re prepared. I really hope you guys don’t have to deal with the same thing, but it’s possible. Still, I’m pretty confident the developers, Milestone, are already working on fixes and we’ll see a bunch of patches soon after launch.

Career Mode is enjoyable and offers a lot of depth, just like the rest of the game. It gives players a good amount of control and content, making it engaging for a long time. If you already enjoy MotoGP games, you’ll definitely appreciate this one.

Graphics – MotoGP 26 Review

MotoGP 26 is visually appealing. The tracks are well-designed and closely resemble the real-world locations, and the rider models are particularly impressive. Milestone deserves credit for creating such realistic character models.

MotoGP 26 isn’t the most visually stunning sports game out there, but it looks surprisingly good considering it wasn’t developed by a huge studio like EA or 2K. The game holds up well no matter the conditions – rain or shine – or the track, from motard courses to official GP circuits.

The menus and user interface are generally well-designed. My only minor complaint is that the collectibles section isn’t available from all career mode screens. You have to be on a particular career page to access it, which made navigating to it take a bit longer than it should have. It’s not a major problem, but I did notice it.

Generally, MotoGP 26 looks decent. Graphics aren’t a huge factor for me when I’m reviewing a game, so it doesn’t affect my score much. However, if visual quality is important to you, I think it looks pretty good – at least on the PlayStation 5. I can’t say how it appears on the original Nintendo Switch or the newer Switch 2.

Audio – MotoGP 26 Review

I feel the same way about the audio in MotoGP 26 as I do in RIDE 6. The bike sounds are good, and the overall audio experience feels pretty realistic.

Honestly, the music in this game is really good – I actually enjoy listening to it while I’m between races. Plus, the loading is super fast, so you don’t get stuck hearing the same tracks over and over. I’m a big fan of the Career Mode music, especially!

Similar to RIDE 6, the game can feel a little empty due to the limited audio. You mostly hear voices during the moments before a race, and that’s it. There’s no spoken dialogue during team meetings or other parts of the game, which isn’t a huge issue, but it does make the game feel quite quiet overall.

Regardless, MotoGP 26 feels, sounds, and looks good. So, what’s our verdict?

Verdict: Is MotoGP 26 Worth Your Time & Money?

MotoGP 26 is a fantastic racing game and a strong addition to the MotoGP series. It’s easy to play thanks to improved controls and offers a unique experience, letting you feel the difference between each rider’s handling.

The new features, such as the improved handling and the Production Bike Race-Off Mode, are all welcome improvements. Plus, adding Canterbury Park gives players another location to explore and ride.

Career Mode strikes a good balance – it’s engaging and offers plenty to do without becoming overwhelming. Milestone has successfully designed a gameplay loop that keeps you consistently involved without feeling like a grind.

I ran into a major problem in career mode that stopped me from playing for a while. I’m hoping the developers, Milestone, will fix it quickly, so I don’t want it to affect my overall impression of the game too much. Other players might not experience this, but it was frustrating to have my career character, John MotoGP, stuck waiting for an update.

I enjoy the game, but like many sports titles, it can get repetitive after a while. It’s not that the game is poorly made – actually, it’s quite good! – but the gameplay eventually falls into a pattern. That’s why I think adding more game modes would really improve it.

Despite a few issues, MotoGP 26 delivers a solid gaming experience. It boasts enjoyable gameplay, responsive controls, and plenty of content – hallmarks of a quality Milestone title. Enhanced by appealing graphics and a pleasant soundtrack, the game excels in its fundamental elements and won’t leave players disappointed.

Overall, MotoGP 26 is a positive step forward for the game series and the developers, Milestone. It offers enjoyable gameplay with smooth controls, good graphics, and a fun career mode. I’m excited to see how Milestone continues to improve this game and their other titles in the future.

Score: 8/10

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2026-04-28 23:17