Mad Skills Motocross Demo

As the computers got more and more powerful over the years, they became able to render highly realistic environments and objects, making the experience that much more engaging. However, the three dimensions are not always required if you want to have fun, since small platformers and sidescrollers can be just as entertaining, even if you disregard the pleasant memories they bring back.

Although the title practically gives it away, Mad Skills Motocross is all about speed, ramps and high jumps, as well as your ability to hold on and avoid tumbling. Moreover, you also get to race against an AI competitor, who does its best to beat you and deny you the chance of advancing to the next round. Last, but not least, it is also possible to perform a variety of tricks while hanging in the air, such as the dreaded back flip.

As previously mentioned, the game features a very old-school approach to the genre, with a 2D environment that brings back sweet memories from the classic arcade era. Naturally, the background scenery and the bikes are much more detailed than in the old titles, but the feeling is relatively the same and it's nice not having to worry about an entire third dimension while you hang on to the handlebars with everything you've got.

The tracks on which you get to race on are specially designed to increase in difficulty as you advance through the career, although they can all be figured out after a few test runs. Even if the ramps give you the opportunity to jump over obstacles and perform tricks, they can also be the things that slow you down the most, as well as a sure way to fall, if you do not position yourself correctly whenever you happen to land on one.

To make matters more realistic, the game features a very nice rag doll effect, which can be seen in action whenever you happen to lose control over the bike and fall. Moreover, the vehicle is quite sensitive as well, since it does not react very kindly if you land poorly after a high jump. The AI, on the other hand, is not always capable of providing you with a challenge, except toward the end of the career mode.

Mad Skills Motocross digs in the past and manages to resurface some long-forgotten mechanics, which are just as fun now as they were back in the day. Moreover, the colorful graphics are more than appropriate, while the improved rag doll effects should make it a delight to see the riders fall with every occasion.