As mentioned earlier, MotoGP was a stunning game, almost to the point where many gamers -- including myself -- didn't see where else they could go. To my surprise, THQ was able to once again wrangle the power of the Xbox to produce one of the most visually impressive games on the system. Each of the game's 16 tracks are modeled in near exacting detail and contain that visual 'pop' that few games are able to obtain. Things look even better once weather effects such as misty rain and sunlight are thrown into the mix. The bikes and riders are modeled with the same meticulous detail as the tracks, and look nothing short of fantastic. This is pushed even further with the ability to customize the color and look of your bike and racing suit to fit your liking. Gamers can even include their own logos for online racing teams. The framerate and animations are equally smooth, and go off without a hitch -- even when playing in the 4-player split-screen mode.
The sounds of MotoGP 2 are just as good and pull out all the stops to give you a convincing racing experience -- especially for those with Dolby enabled sound systems. Whether it's the throngs of cheering crowds or the high-powered roar of the bikes -- MotoGP 2 has everything you could ever want. The audio package is highlighted by a slick soundtrack featuring the talents of artists like Third Girl and V8 Pack, and also supports my favorite feature -- Custom Soundtrack support. And, just because I know one of you wants to know, this week's soundtrack included a few select cuts from the 'Matrix Reloaded' soundtrack.