Review by Jon Donnis
MXGP 26 - The Official Game has some genuinely strong ideas, but it also feels like a game that was pushed towards release before it was ready. The move to Unreal Engine 5, dynamic track deformation and revised physics all improve the core racing experience, yet the lack of a proper career mode and several technical shortcomings leave the overall package feeling underdeveloped.
.jpeg)
Dynamic track deformation is easily one of the game's best additions. As bikes repeatedly pass over the surface, ruts develop and new lines appear, meaning the track changes throughout a race. This has a tangible effect on the racing, forcing you to adapt rather than simply follow the same lines lap after lap. It adds a welcome sense of unpredictability and makes longer races more interesting.
The Unreal Engine 5 upgrade also makes a noticeable difference. Tracks have greater detail, lighting is improved and the environments look more convincing. Rider animations are smoother, while the overall presentation does a better job of capturing the look and feel of modern motocross.
.jpeg)
The revised physics give the bikes a convincing sense of weight, although the handling can take time to master. Once you understand how the bikes respond and become comfortable working with the physics, there is plenty of satisfaction in carrying momentum through corners and handling jumps cleanly. The demanding nature of the controls will not suit everyone, but it gives experienced players something to get to grips with.
Unfortunately, the game does little to teach you how to reach that point. The tutorial content is limited, with advanced techniques such as whips and scrubs receiving very little explanation. Players are often left to experiment and figure out the mechanics themselves, which makes an already demanding handling model unnecessarily difficult to learn.
.jpeg)
There are also moments when the physics do not feel entirely consistent. Mid-air corrections can sometimes behave unpredictably, while making precise adjustments through corners is not always as responsive as expected. These issues do not ruin every race, but they can undermine the sense of control the game is trying to create.
The AI is similarly inconsistent. Opponents can behave unpredictably and do not always appear to cope well with the changing track surfaces. Updates are being released to address these problems, but issues of this nature should have been properly resolved before launch.
.jpeg)
The official 2026 championship content is well represented. The licensed riders, bikes and teams provide plenty of authenticity, while all 19 official tracks are included across the MXGP and MX2 categories. Compound, Time Trial, Quick Race, Championship and Online Multiplayer provide a reasonable selection of ways to race, with Championship mode offering the closest thing to a traditional season.
That brings us to the game's biggest omission. There is no proper career mode, meaning there is no progression from MX2 into MXGP, no team management and no opportunity to develop your bike over time. For a licensed motocross game built around an entire championship season, this significantly limits the sense of long-term progression.
.jpeg)
Once the novelty of the new tracks and deformation system starts to wear off, there is less here to keep players invested than there should be. The individual races can be enjoyable, but the wider structure does not provide enough of a journey around them.
MXGP 26 therefore ends up feeling like a collection of promising improvements that have not been given enough time to develop into a complete package. The dynamic terrain is excellent, the Unreal Engine 5 visuals are a clear step forward and the racing can be rewarding once the handling clicks. However, the weak tutorials, inconsistent AI, occasional physics problems and lack of a proper career mode all hold it back.
.jpeg)
The impression is that MXGP 26 was rushed towards release so it could carry the 2026 name before the year was over. Another six months of development could have given the game the refinement and additional depth it needs.
There is a potentially fun game here, but too many shortcomings get in the way.
I score MXGP 26 - The Official Game a disappointing 6 out of 10
Out Now
