Evolution of MotoGP video games

Milan – Since 1949, the FIM Grand Prix motorcycle racing, known as FIM MotoGP World Championship has been one of the most watched motorsport events worldwide. Aside of its real-life racing atmosphere, there are also entertaining sides of MotoGP, including video games. Before consoles like PlayStation, XBox, Nintendo and PC started in 2000s, many MotoGP games were played in arcade type like the GP500. Since then, game developers like Namco, THQ, Capcom and Milestone began producing MotoGP games based from ongoing season for consoles afromentioned.

1. Namco era

The Japanese brand had produced MotoGP games from 2000 until 2006. In MotoGP 3, players are not only race as either the official riders from 2002 and 2003 seasons or legend riders like Mick Doohan and Wayne Rainey, but also as fictional characters created by Namco including Jack Slate.

2. THQ era

The American developer licensed MotoGP games from 2001 until 2005 under MotoGP Ultimate Racing Technology series created by Shawn Hargreaves. In MotoGP URT, players not only race as the official MotoGP riders at official circuits, but also race in fictionalized production bike riders in fictional tracks made by Hargreaves.

3. Capcom era

Capcom began licensing MotoGP video games beginning the 2008 season. The American-Japanese brand released 3 MotoGP games until 2011, including the MotoGP 09/10 which represented the 2009 season which also included in MotoGP 22 by Milestone.

4. Milestone era

Italian based game developer began licensing MotoGP and WorldSBK games since 2012.

a. MotoGP 15

In MotoGP 15, players can race not only as the official riders from 2014 and 2015 MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 seasons, but also as legend riders and Red Bull Rookies Cup roster as additional DLC. Tracks from the 2015 calendar are included, with tracks like Laguna Seca, Donington Park and Estoril included as DLC in later updates.

b. MotoGP 22

Aside of racing as riders from 2022 MotoGP season, players can relive and recreate the 2009 season where Valentino Rossi won his ninth world title (seventh in MotoGP class) with newly revamped scenarios. A new training set including MotoGP Academy is introduced, whereas in MotoGP Academy players test the knowledge of every MotoGP circuit by completing any sector (or full lap) without crash or exceeding track limits.

c. MotoGP 23

In MotoGP 23, sprint races are introduced in all modes with revised stricter racing rules, including long lap penalties.

d. MotoGP 24

Players race as riders from 2024 season, with the new MotoGP Race Direction introduced for those who broke stricter rules based on official rules of MotoGP.

e. MotoGP 25

The game based on 2025 season features two new game experiences: the pro for real racing simulation where players can tune bike configuration whatever they like; and arcade for those who jump straight into MotoGP race action without configuring bike setups. There's also offroad races: minibikes, supermoto/motard and flat tracks held at Mont Lagard and Borgo Casselle.

f. MotoGP 26

For the first time, MotoGP 26 introduces up-to-date rider ratings based on ongoing 2026 season. Production bike races (variantly from 500cc to 1200cc categories) from MotoGP URT 3 returned with newly improved riding physics. The difference is in URT players can race with fictional characters, while in MotoGP 26 players can race with official riders from 2026 MotoGP season. Canterbury Park track is also added for offroad races. Moreover in MotoGP 26, players can also rewrite the career of every real life MotoGP riders from the beginning of his/her career. The newly refined career mode now features a Thursday press-conference event where players (as a rider) can answer questions from mass media journalists about reputation and future career options. Players can also earn one of many collectible cards from their favorite riders and tracks by playing in any game modes (this is also featured on MotoGP racing games for smartphones and tablets developed by Tifansi and MotoGP Guru).

5. Recent season moddings in older MotoGP games

Some older MotoGP games released from 2002 to 2015 can be modified to its recent season (2025 or 2026 season) such as rider/team/track changes, referred as fan-modding. For examples:

- In MotoGP URT game, Loris Capirossi who ride for Ducati Team in 2005 season was replaced by Francesco Bagnaia in 2025 season; whereas in MotoGP 15 (2025 season modded version) Andrea Dovizioso was replaced with Bagnaia, while Marc Marquez (now in Ducati Team) was replaced with Joan Mir in Repsol Honda (now racing as Honda HRC Castrol), as Marquez replaced original Andrea Iannone's original 2015 season version in 2025 season modded version. For Yamaha, Rossi was replaced with Fabio Quartararo while Lorenzo was replaced with Alex Rins. The 2015 Tech3 Yamaha riders were replaced with 2025 Prima Pramac Yamaha riders, while the 2025 Tech3 KTM riders replaced 2015 Aspar Racing Team. The 2015 Pramac Ducati riders were replaced with 2025 Gresini Ducati riders while 2015 Avintia Ducatis were replaced with 2025 VR46 Ducatis. As for Aprilia, Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi replaced 2015's line-up Alvaro Bautista and Marco Melandri respectively, while the 2025 KTM Factory Racing riders replaced 2015 Forward Racing riders.

- In the modded 2025 season of MotoGP 15, the Indianapolis track was replaced with Red Bull Ring circuit, while the 2015 Brno circuit was modified for 2025 season modding as Mandalika International circuit.

Which one is your favorite MotoGP game? Would you still like to play old and new MotoGP games from MotoGP 01 to MotoGP 25, before playing newer MotoGP 26 game?

Pre-order and get MotoGP 26 here!

Source:

• https://www.motogp.com/id/news/2026/04/29/motogp26-the-new-videogame-is-out-now/1062610