Xbox enthusiasts, start your engines - The race is on

The first motorcycle racing game for the Xbox 360 will exhilarate gamers hoping for a simulation experience as well as speed demons quenching high-action tracks.

MotoGP '06 lets you ride against the best in the world while enjoying photo-realistic graphics. The game features tracks, riders and bikes from this season and 2005. You start as Seed 100 and work your way up the rankings, which are automatically updated after every race. If you beat a rider with a higher seed, you will be rewarded accordingly -- but the bar is set higher.

There are two distinct track modes in MotoGP '06: Grand Prix and Extreme. For players who want racing reality, Grand Prix delivers with challenging tracks. To succeed in Grand Prix mode, you'll have to calculate every turn, brake and pass move.

Extreme is a more rookie-friendly mode for the player who wants to pick up the controller and have a fun, fast-paced race. It doesn't require as much technical expertise, however, careers in Extreme mode must be unlocked by winning a Grand Prix championship.

The 360 controller gives you many options for controlling your rider. The front brake is your best option when stopping but your rear brake is essential for performing powerslides, a move that helps you take a corner without losing speed. To powerslide, hit the rear brake while accelerating and release it once you start to slide. If you have trouble gauging a turn, MotoGP provides some assistance. An indicator arrow will pop up at the top of the screen as you approach a corner giving you a heads-up on the impending curve.

MotoGP '06 is not without its faults, most glaring of which is the load times. They are extremely long when selecting a mode or a new track. But if you want to restart a race, it's instantaneous. The graphics for the most part look great, especially under adverse weather conditions such as lightning and rain-slicked roads. But occasionally the game will have a problem with the frame rate.

The flaws are too minor not to recommend MotoGP '06 to any racing fan. It's a great addition to the 360 library of games.