Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

MotoGP 4 delivers a robust racing experience that caters both to newcomers and seasoned sim enthusiasts. The core of the gameplay revolves around three primary modes: Arcade, Season, and Challenges. In Arcade mode you can jump straight into any one of the 16 tracks from the 2004 MotoGP, 250cc, or 125cc championships, choosing from the full roster of riders. Season mode tasks you with competing in all 16 rounds of your chosen class, managing the pressures of championship points and long-term consistency.

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The Challenges mode stands out with its 125 unique objectives, ranging from securing a race win or clinching a championship title, to setting blistering lap times on famous circuits. These bite-sized goals not only provide a clear sense of progression but also encourage mastery of each track’s nuances. By completing challenges, players unlock new liveries, bikes, and customization options, extending the game’s replayability well beyond the standard season.

Customization and realism settings let you tailor the handling and assistance to your skill level. Novices can enable brake and throttle assists to learn braking points and cornering lines, while veterans can dial in full realism, demanding precise throttle control, accurate braking inputs, and careful traction management. Detailed bike setup menus allow fine-tuning of suspension, gearing, tire choice, and aerodynamics for every circuit, ensuring that each race feels distinct and technically rewarding.

Graphics

For a title released in 2004, MotoGP 4’s visuals are impressively detailed. Bikes boast sharp textures that highlight sponsor logos and rider leathers, while helmet designs are faithfully reproduced to match their real-world counterparts. Rider animations—lean angles, body position shifts, and celebratory gestures—add a layer of personality to each racer, making on-track battles feel more alive.

Track environments are rendered with care: grandstands teem with pixelated crowds, pit garages display team personnel, and subtle weather effects—such as dust clouds at off-track excursions—enhance immersion. Lighting is dynamic enough to capture different times of day, from bright Mediterranean sunshine at Mugello to overcast skies at Assen, though weather transitions remain limited compared to modern standards.

Frame rates generally stay smooth even in split-screen or eight-player online races, thanks to efficient optimization on the PlayStation 2 hardware. While distant scenery lacks the draw distance of later generations, close-up details on braking zones, kerbs, and trackside banners provide ample visual feedback for judging your braking markers and apexes.

Story

Although MotoGP 4 does not feature a scripted narrative in the traditional sense, it builds a compelling “story” through your progression across classes and seasons. Starting in the 125cc development series and working your way up to the premier MotoGP class mirrors the real-world journey of many racing stars, giving players a sense of accomplishment and growth.

The Challenge mode further weaves its own storyline by setting milestone objectives—such as winning your first 250cc Grand Prix or dethroning a reigning champion. Achieving these targets evokes the highs and lows of a racing career, creating memorable moments that mimic the tension and adrenaline of professional competition.

Online leaderboards and player-to-player competition also contribute to an emergent narrative. Rivalries form when you consistently outpace another racer in lap time challenges, while collaborative bragging rights emerge from group races with friends. Though there’s no cutscene drama, the unfolding competition across leaderboards and championships provides an organic sense of story.

Overall Experience

MotoGP 4 remains a standout motorcycle racing game that balances accessibility with depth. Whether you’re chasing your first checkered flag as a novice rider or fine-tuning suspension settings to shave hundredths off your lap time, the game scales beautifully to your ambitions. The comprehensive selection of real-world riders and tracks from all three classes offers unmatched variety.

The inclusion of 125 Challenges ensures that there’s always a fresh objective to pursue, while online play for up to eight competitors extends the excitement far beyond single-player modes. Even years after its release, the thrill of high-speed cornering and wheel-to-wheel duels retains its appeal, cementing MotoGP 4 as a timeless entry in motorcycle racing simulations.

For fans of two-wheeled motorsport seeking a deep, rewarding experience, MotoGP 4 is a title that still holds up. Its blend of realistic handling, comprehensive customization, and varied modes means you’ll return again and again to chase the perfect lap and the ultimate championship.

Retro Replay Score

7.2/10