One thing you always want to be careful about is including the word Ultimate in your racing game. I say this because, as "ultimate" as something may seem, it may not quite be ultimate. Case in point: 2005's release of MotoGP 3: Ultimate Racing Technology for the Xbox from the camp over at THQ. Sure, Climax produced some "ultimate" thrills with the game, with a lavish racing engine, a number of savvy modes and options, and online play for 16 players. But I'm here to tell you- as jam-packed and brilliant as that game was, it's not "ultimate". Not anymore.

Sure, you could shrug and say, "But, Robert, you gave it a 4.5 rating! It's just like the real thing! How can you say it's not ultimate?" Simple- a sequel is coming, and it's next-gen. Ultimate Racing Technology is about to get a bump and become even more ultimate, as MotoGP '06 preps itself for arrival for the summer racing season. Once again, Climax is positioned right behind the handlebars and ready to dominate. Is there such a word as ultimater?

Like previous games, Climax is working hand in hand with the sports group Dorna to make sure every aspect of the MotoGP racing experience is perfectly captured for the casual and hardcore gamers. There's a number of licensed riders and bikes featured throughout the game, and the improved Season Mode gives you the chance to build your career into the heavens with a number of circuit wins and upgradable parts. You may start in a lower weight class with your first ride, but you can soon move yourself up into another class, with three total to choose from. It'll only be a matter of time before you're riding with the heavyweights.

MotoGP '06 should also enhance performance of these bikes to be more realistic than ever. In the first previous games, the handling was all about technicality, with front and rear braking in check and real steering suspension that relied more on handling rather than quickie arcade thrills. '06 should further enhance the performance with more bike parts to upgrade with, as well as a better sense of speed to give you an idea just what kind of ride you're in for. Throw in the same great controls as before, as well as possible enhancements for the two additional buttons on the 360 pad, and the possibilities can skyrocket faster than your bike can leave skidmarks on the road.

Extreme Mode turned out to be a quality addition to MotoGP 3, skipping away from the race tracks and taking your riding to a number of open-road tracks to give you a better idea of locale. '06 will see the return of this mode with even more intricate level designs, looking so photo-realistic you'll want to reach into the TV screen and touch the sunset.

In fact, MotoGP '06's graphics look stupendous at this point, with everything from lighting to simplistic rider movements to small road effects (namely smoke) coming across as eye-watering. We've only seen footage from the game trailers thus far, but it's hard pressed to really divide the difference between a real race and what's happening in the game footage. Looks like Climax is pulling out all the stops on graphic performance, which would explain why THQ delayed the game a couple of months, just so everything goes just right. The draw distance on the roads should be impressive as well, not to mention how it will help you prep better for turns.

Finally, there's the online aspect, as MotoGP thrived for its support with Xbox Live. Well, good news, moto maniacs. It'll be back. The game will support a wider variety of riders for each race, up to twenty online at the same time. And while not all the modes have yet been confirmed, we can expect that the official tracks, as well as the extreme ones, will be available to choose from. Now if there were just some way to do some bike-trading or start your own moto-league. I could very well have my own Hell's Angels if I know what I'm doing.

I want this game. MotoGP has always been highly regarded by me as one of the tightest racing series around, and the latest chapter looks like a mighty fine ride. We'll be back with more impressions and a review a bit later down the road. In the meantime, we hope you understand if you come by the office and hear a lot of the staff making engine noises while they scoot around in their office chairs. Granted, we know the difference between a well-oiled Honda and an office chair, but that won't stop us from dreaming of next-gen motorcycle bliss.