I can't get into this infatuation with motorcycles. First of all, I lack the balance to handle a real one, and don't really have too much of a range for helmet fitting. Secondly, there haven't been too many games that have captured the thrill of motorcycle racing to really get me going, aside from some sessions as a kid on a big ride-on Hang-On arcade cabinet. Maybe I'm too spoiled by games loaded with vehicles that ride on four or more wheels. But I do have a place for the MotoGP series.

Introduced a little while back by Climax and THQ, MotoGP strayed away from failed extreme motorcycle racing games from Ubisoft and Acclaim and instead followed their own trail, focusing on the realism of the international racing events and tightening the gameplay and presentation to every extent possible. The first two games were brilliant and have since become collector's items, and now here comes the third, which, if I guess correctly, will be the final one we see this presentation. But what a way to go with MotoGP 3: Ultimate Racing Technology.

This is quite simply the best in the series yet, as it does so many great things that the brand's been known for and yet adds a few touches that makes it that much better. It doesn't quite reach the perfection plateau, but, hey, when you come this close, you accept what's being offered and love it all the same. And boy, do I.

The main thing that stands out about MotoGP 3 is how to fails to bow down to the arcade scene and continues to follow the simulation path. This may turn off some racing fans, but hold on before you cavort back to the simple "pull left and pull right" logistics. The gameplay feels just as fantastic as always, with the ability to accelerate with either the A button or a push up on the analog stick. The L and R triggers act as your front and rear brakes, accordingly, allowing you to get the best traction on the road and keep your speed up as you try to stay ahead of your competition. The handling takes a little getting used to at first, especially on your first U-turn or tight turn that could send you careening off the bike, but it doesn't take long to adjust and soon you're riding on a pro. You might even feel tempted to try some gutsy maneuvers like a full blown front brake skid or even a wheelie, which adds some style points but leaves you at risk for a dangerous throw-off.

And that's not all. You can actually adjust different things on your bike, with parts and timing, to help make your ride a better one. If you're bothered by how your bike performs, you can use some of your earned cash and pick up some new parts. If you're up for some style (probably learned from the Need For Speed Underground series), you can also customize the bike to your liking, giving your opponents a slight nudge in terms of intimidation. This allows serious bike nuts to really dig deep and make their ride the best, and it'll leave customization zealots in a tizzy with each forthcoming lap.

But the gameplay and customization aren't all. The game offers a ton of extra play value through its various modes. Let's talk single player first. A driver can either go ahead and give quick race a try and get a feel for a specific course, or they can jump right in to the Career Mode, earning cash as they go and taking on some pretty well balanced AI riders, eager to get the first placing just as much as you. There's so many unlockables to earn, as well as harder difficulty levels to challenge if you're up for it. Be warned, though- some riders can be downright merciless, making you wish you could pull a Road Rash-esque tire iron swing at them. Won't happen, of course, as all you can do is try and ram them, putting yourself at risk along with your opponent.