Superbike 2000 (PC)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 4.0 stars Excellent
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 8.7 (4.0 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Amer Ajami
• Reviewed on: 03/23/2000
• Updated on: 05/02/2000
• Released on: 02/29/2000
• Originally published on GameSpot: Superbike 2000 (PC) Review

EA Sports' Superbike 2000 is one of the most realistic and accurate motorcycle racing games out there. A wide variety of tracks and bikes and gorgeous animations and graphics offset the game's steep learning curve and will keep you coming back for more.

Superbike 2000 has gameplay options similar to those in many other PC racing sims. The game's career mode lets you select a factory bike and rider and enter a series of races that span 13 weekends. Each weekend is composed of a number of racing events that include two free practice sessions, two qualifying sessions, a superpole, and two final races. The practice sessions are designed to give you a better feel of the bike and let you make any necessary changes without any consequence to your overall standings. Your performance during the qualifying and superpole events then determines the starting grid of the final races, and you move on to the next track after you successfully complete them.

The game has four difficulty settings that you can change anytime during the game. The four levels toggle assists like automatic transmission, automatic rider movement, crash recovery, extra brake power, and automatic braking. Those who don't know a lot about the dynamics of riding a motorcycle would do well to select some of the assists. With the difficulty set to "real," which offers no assists at all, Superbike 2000 becomes a serious challenge. Unlike cars, motorcycles don't have the luxury of turning and stopping on a dime, so you'll need to keep your eyes as far down the track as possible in anticipation of upcoming turns and traffic. A steady hand is necessary when taking turns, as too much braking will cause the bike to slide out from underneath the rider, and too much throttle will result in a spectacular crash.

In addition to simply keeping the bike on all two wheels, you also have to contend with constantly adjusting the rider's center of gravity. Moving the rider to a higher position will allow for better cornering and stability through turns, while keeping him low and close to the bike will make for higher top speeds and stability through the straights. The manual rider adjustment and touchy bike controls might seem a burden at first, but die-hard motorcycle racing fans will undoubtedly welcome the game's sense of realism.

The bikes in Superbike 2000 include factory rides from Ducati, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Aprilia. Each of the six bikes not only looks and sounds different, but has unique handling characteristics as well. For instance, the Ducati 996 SPS and Suzuki Alstare GSX-R750 aren't necessarily the quickest bikes on the field, but their overall stability is attractive to novices, while the brute force of the Honda RC45 and Kawasaki ZX-7RR is better suited for more aggressive racers. Though the difference between one bike and another won't be instantly apparent, you'll gradually settle on a favorite after a few laps with each.

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