Nitrobike review

Racing rocket-propelled bikes is no fun when the controls are unreliable

12DOVE Verdict

Pros

  • +

    Explosive

  • +

    non-complex racing

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    Twenty tracks

  • +

    a dozen bikes

  • +

    Online multiplayer for six

Cons

  • -

    Fighting the controls

  • -

    Sluggish

  • -

    blurry graphics

  • -

    Generic engine noise and music

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Nitrobike is the sort of outrageous racing game that you desperately want to like. In every race, you're mashing the turbo button, performing death-defying tricks, and literally destroying the track as you try to beat the other riders to the finish line. Unfortunately, you're also fighting the Wii remote every step of the way just to stay pointed in the right direction, which quickly transforms what ought to be a lovey-dovey relationship into a trip to Brokenheartsville.

As the title says, what we have here are bikes with rockets strapped to them. Performing tricks gives you more nitro, pressing the boost button makes you go faster, and going faster lets you get crazy hang time off of hills and ramps. Bumping into decorations during your flight will often cause pieces of those signs and structures to break away and fall onto the track, turning them into obstacles that the other riders must avoid. A race sure becomes more interesting when you look ahead and see a burning airplane wing sitting there.

More info

GenreRacing
DescriptionBouncing over hills and watching the mud fly should be fun, but the unreliable controls suck most of the joy out of this motorbike racer.
Platform"Wii"
US censor rating"Everyone 10+"
UK censor rating""
Release date1 January 1970 (US), 1 January 1970 (UK)
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