By: Tim Donaldson

Video of MX vs. ATV Untamed

Video Game Review – MX vs. ATV Untamed

For those of us who are powersports enthusiasts, not too much tops a day out on the track, open trail, or nailin’ some gnarly stunts on our machines. Some of us may let it totally consume our lives–making repairs and rebuilds, practicing, or just simply doing what it takes to get out there to race or ride, even taking that second job to pay for those after-market upgrades!  With the new video game release of “MX vs. ATV Untamed,” motorsports fanatics can raise the level of their indulgences without the sting of purchasing a new vehicle.

This Christmas my fix came with the financial shock of purchasing an Xbox 360 for the kids. Er, I mean Santa Claus brought them one--just in case they’re reading this!  Nonetheless, it may have been cheaper to buy that new trophy truck. Just kidding!  So, to my great delight, I was thrilled by the opportunity to test MX vs. ATV Untamed.  With this game, enthusiasts can take their race winnings and upgrade the performance of their racing equipment, without worrying about getting a second mortgage!

First of all, being new to the Xbox 360, I am completely stunned by the level of graphic detail produced by the system. With racing venues ranging from the desert and wilderness to indoor and outdoor arenas, the game does not fall short on providing plenty of eye candy. Developers even took the extra effort in distinguishing the small features that differentiate the makes and models of the quads! Also, the game offers top-notch sound effects, adding a feel of true realism. I can’t get enough of the 4-stroke sound produced by the MX bikes and ATV’s. Those racing the MX Lites are treated to the, quickly fading from the scene, sounds of the two-stroke. Riders can also ramp-up their pit bikes and select the MX Minis for the race. Other optional race vehicles, offered in MX vs. ATV Untamed, include the sand rail, off-road buggy, trophy truck, ORV sport, and monster truck.

For those of you thinking John Natalie Jr. and Joe Byrd get carried away with the whining and crying about who is bumping into whom, see how you feel when a monster truck runs your ATV out of first place during the Open Cross event!  With MX vs. ATV Untamed’s customizable rider features, you can recreate the racing action of the pros by selecting your favorite pro racers from the ATVA circuit. Each of the racing series on MX vs. ATV Untamed has racers which represent their respective pro circuit.

During game pre-load, an interesting disclaimer flashes on the screen stating that you should not imitate the riding performed in the game. Good thing, because I stink!  My 5 year-old daughter made short work of showing me how to perform a few of the 50 available stunts during the freestyle exhibit. It actually pains me to compare our lap times on the Supercross and cross-country journeys of the Waypoint events, so I will leave out further discussion on the split-screen, head-to-head matches!

Adding a heightened sense of feel to the game, players can pre-load the suspension of their machine by giving a quick reverse-forward motion to the left stick, turning easy doubles into manageable triples and easing the journey through the rhythm sections. With a practice session before each racing event, racers can save the excuses from their poor performances out on the circuit.

Although, at first, gamers may recognize a similar feel to other comparable racing platforms, MX vs. ATV Untamed unites all into a single, comprehensive racing frenzy, giving the game its own unique feel. Career mode combines a variety of off-road venues and leads to the pinnacle championship. With the graphics and sound capabilities of the Xbox 360, the game delivers awesome realism that is hard to beat. Game features include:  X-cross Tournament, Off-road Championship, Opencross, Supercross, Nationals, Freeride, Edurocross, Freestyle, Vehicle Customization, and Multiplayer mode–including on-line competition.

So the question everyone wants answered is:  MX or ATV?  Well, in our household, that’s depends on who’s driving.  Don’t tell my daughter; I think I can beat her!  Otherwise, get out there and get your copy of MX vs. ATV Untamed to find out for yourself!  You won’t be disappointed!