TT SuperBikes (PS2)

Spending my student loan wisely, I recently purchased a Sony Playstation 2 one of the new silver slim line versions. These look way cooler than the first Playstation I got when I was younger. Any way after seeing the TT Superbike game on the shelf, I thought I had to get it. I had also heard people say it was worth buying. After walking through town trying to find the cheapest I eventually ended up at Playtime Games. The first thing the man behind the desk said was "Good game that kid" the type of bloke you know is a total game playing anorak, at that point I knew I was on to a winner!

I haven't actually raced around the real life TT but know quite a few who have, and have watched it numerous times on bike TT videos. I'm confident in saying that this game is incredibly realistic. The way the bikes look, sound and handle is very good, too much front brake and you will find yourself loosing the front end. As you get used to where you are going lots of high-speed crashes are inevitable, adding to the thrill of the game. Bike selection ranges from the small lightweight class of the Honda 125's up to the mega fast Suzuki GSXR 1000's and also a bit of side by side action can be had with the very fast but hard to handle sidecars.

Game playing mode can be set to Novice, Intermediate and Expert. I prefer to set it to intermediate. This way it's easier to control but the game still allows you the freedom to go round the corners at high speed. With Novice mode the CPU assists your braking and turning. With expert level you're on your own, so is a little harder to get used to. The aim of the game is obviously to win the races. By doing so your efforts are rewarded with new bikes, sets of leathers, helmets, and different tracks. For bonuses you get pictures of real life action, videos and bonus level races.

The game consists of Arcade, TT Challenge mode and has the usual Two-Player option.
The TT challenge mode consists of:
Master Classes- They are designed to improve your bike handling capabilities. By setting short tasks like going through a section of the course without crashing, riding without exceeding a minimum speed and making it to the finish line within a set time. These can be a little frustrating at times but this is partly why for two hours, I couldn't do anything else but master the task of going round a certain TT corner at over 78mph!

Dunlop Novice Cup- This takes place over 2-3 mile stretches of the TT mountain section, racing against four other competitors controlled by the game

Intermediate Trophy- Similar to the Dunlop Novice cup but takes place over 4-5 mile stretches of the TT mountain section

Other race challenges include the Castletown race and the Southern 100 (This race is the same but runs in the reverse direction).

What did I get out of playing this game?
I got the satisfaction of knowing the TT course off by heart, so I reckon this game is an actual must buy for all real life competitors of the TT races. Hours and hours of fun racing against my girlfriend who loves the game as much as I do, which is slightly worrying, but good all at the same time. It is also a game that lasts after having this game for over a month now I am still playing it with the same enthusiasm that I did when I first switched it on.
For more bike reviews and news visit www.motoc.net


Beat you down Bray Hill!   May 27, 2005
 33 out of 34 found this review helpful

I've been eagerly awaiting this game for some time and had it pre-ordered. I have to say though that I wasn't altogether optimistic about it blowing my mind as my experiences with motorcycle racing games on the PS2 and PSX haven't been altogether satisfactory - Crescent Suzuki Racing being a very good example. I also found the MotoGP series to be somewhat annoying. My experiences with PC motorcycle racing games is altogether different, however, with GP500, Superbikes 2000 and 2001 which were all superb titles.

I was half expecting that with all the time the developers spent mapping the Manx TT circuit and the Southern 100 road racing course, that the rest of the gameplay would suffer, much in the way that The Getaway had a great and accurate map but the game sucked.

Well, I'm here to tell you that it certainly isn't the case with TT Superbikes! Yes, the circuits are superbly rendered and amazingly accurate; but they've also done a superb job with the bike physics and the gameplay.
________________________

Here's a few highlights:

Lots of bikes to choose from: 125cc (two-strokes), 250cc (two-strokes), 400cc, 600cc, 750cc, 1000cc and sidecars. Aprillia, Ducati, Kawasaki, Honda, Bennelli, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha machines are all included! You start of with one from each category and unlock others. All very accurate and sound great. Don't know why the Truimph Trophy was included though.

Leathers, lids and parts to unlock (better bikes and wheels)

Feel every bump from the B road surfaces as you fly along, get squirrely under braking and get into tank-slappers.

4 points of view to choose from: behind, from front (level), from front (higher) and behind fairing (this last view will be repeated when I come to the lower points).

Beautifully mapped roads with curbs, bumps, buildings that are extremely accurate.

Lots to accomplish in challenge mode, lots of arcade races and two player option.

Great DualShock feel.

Marvellous replays

Superb sound, especially the Kawasaki zx400r which absolutely screams and has that exhaust howl of a small capacity bike being absolutely caned! Wonderful! And the zxr750rr that just growls.

Commentary on some courses (S100 and TT) telling you about particular corners and hazards which is very useful.

Extremely playable and has longevity.
_____________________________________

A few lowlights or suggestions for next time:

More guidance would've been nice for those of us who don't know the tracks as well (as in rally games with an arrow type system). You can have a map in the lower left corner, but this doesn't appear in fairing view (my favourite for realism).

A helmet cam view so that as you brake your head moves back and up (as you straighten your arms against the lateral g-force), as you accelerate your head drops behind the screen for better aerodynamics and as you corner your head moves to the side as you move your body weight over. Fairing view doesn't change (as in MotoGP 3). MotoGP 4 has helmet view though (Things are looking good for bike racing games)!

No Weather effects.

Not Widescreen compatibility

Speeds don't appear to be accurate: When doing 130 mph, it's more like 160. After doing a lap of the Manx TT circuit, I watched one of my On Board TT Experience DVDs and it seemed rather slow as Steve Hislop went around for his 94 winning lap. I also did a practice lap and tried to take it like a Sunday ride (30-60 mph) and it seemed like I could've got off and walked. I'm not totally sure about this one, however and it doesn't really impact the game at all... More a point of interest than a criticism.

Button configuration: You get no choice as to how you want to set your controller buttons.

*Northwest 200, Assen (Dutch TT) and Ulster GP courses would've been cool.

I've kept this review as simple as possible so it can be scanned quickly and yet give the sort of info I would've liked to read before purchasing. But in this case it didn't matter as the game is extremely good.

Jester Interactive have set the benchmark for motorcycle racing games with this one. I won't be playing Riding Spirits II anymore. I hope Jester keep going in this area, maybe do a Superbike racer game like TOCA Race Driver II that has SBK championships from AMA, BSBK and WSBK etc. They could certainly do it well.

Graphics: 4/5
Sound: 5/5
Realism: 4/5
Gameplay: 4/5
Longevity: 4/5 (I realise it hasn't been out long, but you just know, right?)
Value: 3/5

Bikers, greeboes, TT fans, Superbike fans, speed freaks, buy this one!


A Review from a Seven Times Isle of Man TT Winner   August 1, 2005
 14 out of 14 found this review helpful

In a word this game is "brilliant". Although the game was delayed - it is well worth the wait.

As a motorcycle racer, the TT and Southern 100 are events I have raced at many times and so I was most interested to see how accurate the reproduction of the TT and the Southern 100 courses were, and to be quite honest the detail and the realism the guys at Jester have achieved is totally phenominal.

Initially I, like many other people, found the game quite difficult to get to grips with, but having persevered with it, the feeling of satisfaction when completing a race is almost as good as the real thing!!

A must have..All fans of motorsport should have this game in their collection.

Roll on the sequel!!


faaaaaaaaantastic!!!!!!   October 17, 2005
 12 out of 12 found this review helpful

Just the best motorcycle game ever (and I've owned most). Graphics are lush, bike choices and handling great. I'm a fan of the TT and the game has made me want to enter the race for real. It's just money and perhaps my skill level that prevents this. (Any prospective sponsors please feel free to contact me)......


Awesome road racing simulation!   May 30, 2005
 10 out of 10 found this review helpful

I'm a biker and I've always been a fan of road racing. I bought "On-Bike Road Race Experience" (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005OW3D) to get a rider's-eye perspective of how tough and satisfying it really is.

I was blown away with the on-board cameras in the DVD: riders fly along almost impossibly twisty narrow roads at speeds of up to 190mph; they go from upright to fully cranked in fractions of seconds and miss solid stone walls by a matter of inches; they're fully committed blasting though corners at well over the ton; there are wheelies galore - even when almost fully cranked over and while travelling at lunatic speeds.

This game demands YOU do all of the above if you want to be competitive. It delivers an experience of road racing that is truely mind blowing!

As a biker, I thought I was riding pretty fast and close to the limit. Do you think you are too? Do you believe that if only you could race on closed public roads you'd be far faster? If you believe that, this game will open your eyes about what fast is. The sense of realism is truely superb and you become part of the frenzied action.

Top marks to Jester for allowing us to have such a realistic and engrossing experience!

The game is challenging - but then so is road racing (and you will experience how hard!). If you have any interest in racing - whether cars or motorcycles - this game delivers a uniquely compelling challenge which will suck you in to hours and hours of adrenaline-fuelled madness.

5 stars without any hesitation!!!