I don't think I'm alone in being disappointed with the lack of truly great games available for the PSP, with the exception of Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories of course, along with a handful of others. GTA on the PSP really showed the depth of mobile gaming available at your fingertips and it was only when Loco Roco came out recently that I started to find the PSP fun again. So now my PSP is dusted off and ready far action, I decided it was about time I started looking for that next great release. With any luck, there could be another gem out there just waiting for me. So, with Moto GP on PSP based on the acclaimed console series with a huge following, would I be swayed to keep the PSP out of the cupboard for a little bit longer?

Before you can even start the game you need to install an update to your PSP to bring it to version 2.71. This isn't too much of a hassle as long as your battery is charged on full. For some reason, when your battery is low, even with the PSP plugged into the mains, it refuses to install the update until the juice is on full. Once the game fires up you're confronted with the usual racing game montage, in-game footage blended with actual footage from the Moto GP season, set to a thumping guitar fast guitar track. The music is all guitar riffs and light dance beats, blended gently together, designed to pep you up before you begin racing. At the main menu you can choose between Arcade, Season, Time Trials and Multiplayer Mode. As this is the official game of the Moto GP Championship, you can also race one-to-one with some of the finest riders in the world, including Italian legend Valentino Rossi and Spanish veteran Sete Gibernau. There are plenty of options in every mode to tune up your bike as you desire, not in Gran Turismo detail, but it's still a nice feature and can make a difference on race day. Once you've chosen your bike from either the 600cc, 1000cc or 1200cc class and selected the circuit, it's time to do your talking on the track.

Instantly the in-game graphics impress through their close similarity to the console versions of Moto GP. As soon as you start your first race you'll see the level of detail that has been put into the game - it has that PSP polish that you just don't get on a DS or a GBA title. The environments are expertly crafted, the bikes are plastered with all the official sponsors and the sun shines across the tarmac, reflecting off all of the glistening machines itching to tear off into the distance. You'd be forgiven for thinking that you're playing a PS2 title, as really the difference between the two isn't a helluva lot. As you pull away from the start line, you hear your engine roar into action against a cacophony of the engines of your opponents around you. Through a decent speaker system this would be very impressive, but coming out of the PSP's tinny speakers it starts to grate after a while so you may find yourself turning the sound down and putting some background music on instead, or plugging in a decent pair of headphones. The track detail is stunning however and it's a joy to zip around some of the most famous racing locations in the world on your supercharged speed machine.

The control system on the PSP is very realistic and with the joystick you can zip around the track to your heart's content, turning on a six-pence. The difficulty setting is spot on as there are plenty of easier tracks to work your way around and then a whole ream of hugely challenging circuits where your reactions will be tested to their limits. However, once you know your way around the circuits, the game does start to become less challenging, although that's the same problem with every racing game. In terms of computer AI the other riders aren't really very proficient; as you overtake them they statically move to one side and let you past and the only way they'll ever pass you is if you tumble into the barriers after misjudging a corner. You never at any stage feel like you're being challenged by the AI riders - the track could almost be empty for what it's worth.

Moto GP has a great multiplayer feature that allows you to play against up to 7 other friends in wireless mode, which makes for some high octane racing. I played with a mere two friends and that was great fun in itself. It's always so much more gratifying to race against human opponents, as no matter how good a racing game's AI system is, you can't beat putting one over on a buddy!

Moto GP on the PSP is a good game and there's plenty to keep you entertained for a few hours, but any longer than that and you might be struggling, unless you jack in to the fantastic multiplayer mode. There's nothing new here to set this title apart from the console versions, which seems somewhat lazy on the part of the developers. Moto GP feels like a tired rehash for the mobile gamer of a well-worked but far from groundbreaking formula. All in all it's a fun and technically competent title, but lacking in creativity and substance.

Reviewed by Ross Alexander for AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).