All demos will be rated on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest. Five different points will be considered in the evaluation process:

Playability
Graphics and Sound
Computer Specs
Fun Factor
Overall

Testing system: PII 350, 128 RAM, Voodoo 3000 PCI, 256K DSL Internet

The demo is limited to two tracks and two different motorcycles, which are essentially the same bikes, with different color schemes. I couldn't find any real performance issues between them. However, the tracks are different. There's the "Stunt" track, which is all about the A-I-R that I mentioned earlier, and the "National" track, which is a racing track. The Stunt track is the best, really. The time is limited to a little over 5 minutes, and you compete against other players (computerized). The best part about the stunt track is that you can rip the throttle, launch off of a 40-foot hill, catch 200 feet of air, pull off a "Nac-Nac," land safely, and earn 5800 points for it. [Let it be known - I didn't score any points for over a half an hour - it takes a while to get familiar with this game.]

There is also a multi-player available on both tracks as well, which is pretty cool. You have to download some small software from the Microsoft Gaming Zone, and then you're ready for competition with other human players.

The sound is one of the highlights of this game. The farting wail of a 250 2-stroke is a helluva great sound bite. Even in the open straights, the thing sounds just like a dirt bike all the way through. Whenever I crashed, I could hear the rider grunting and vomiting oxygen, like he had just tasted his own boots on a serious drop. Yessir, the sound is pretty sweet in the demo. The graphics are pretty good, but that is taking into consideration the fact that we only have two tracks to play on with the demo. 3D card holders will be pleased, but I am sick and tired of "Fog" in the distance. I realize that there is no way to render all of the graphics with the limited wares that I have, but I only hope that fog goes by the wayside the same way that 2D games did in the mid-90's.

The National track is the "Voodoo Basin," which you'll find a couple of screen shots of to the right. I made my primary objective in the Voodoo Basin to tag the Channel 8 helicopter and chop off my own head with one of my amazing air launches. I was unable to complete the mission. So I found the Helipad and sat there until the chopper came down for a refuel or restock of the fat-ass cooler full of beers that I know they have in there. The chopper landed right on me, and I was knocked over and immediately returned to the race with no beer or anything. The National Track is a waste of time.

There are plenty of distractions on the Stunt track that can take you completely away from the task at hand, which is to outscore your opponents with stunt points. First of all, can you jump the barn? Heh heh... just try it for a laugh. Next, jerk your bike up the big 'ol hills to the south. They look ominous, but you can make it. Tear off in the opposite direction of the hills and discover that Microsoft does not like its boundaries crossed. You'll see what I mean. Enjoy.

The path should be clear, but
this demo is about more than
gassing it on a straightaway.

It's about grabbing
some elevation.

And then grabbing the seat
in one of your
death-defying moves.

It's possible to catch
too much air.

Separation of bike & rider.

Probably not going
to land this one.

Those guys from Channel 8 are in for a 50mph treat.

When you go out of bounds,
you get booted back into
the game zone.

Jump the barn, Johnny.

Fun Factor: Oh, baby this game is fun. I was late for numerous events due to the fact that I wanted to see if I could get a better score than 6900 on the "Heart Attack" maneuver. I never did. PS - the "Heart Attack" should actually be called the "Hart Attack," which is named after Carey Hart, a professional motorcross rider who truly created the stunt, where he kicks both of his legs above his head and flies perpendicular to his bike (the same move you can perform as well!).

Overall: Definitely worth the download once you get the moves down. The multiplayer feature is fun because you get to test your ability to do tricks with others. I suck at this demo as far as competition goes, even though I pumped the better part of 25 hours into it. Not to mention more than $15,000 worth of motorcycles in the real world. But it's still fun to play. Just launch off the out-of-bounds area and tell me that isn't fun.

TOTAL SCORE: 8.0