Prepare yourself for the motocross invasion on a console system near you. This year you'll find practically every major game manufacture offering a dirt bike game this year. We're still recovering from the snow board invasion of '98. Fist up from THQ is Championship Motocross: Featuring Ricky Carmichael for Sony Playstation, and so far so good. Championship Motocross is impressive.

Large polygons, great camera angles, and some nice added detail make this title one to watch. Graphics can almost be described as amazing. These dirt bikes are large on detail, and realistic physics only adds to this games enthusiasm.

The only major downfall on this game is the bikes sound effects. They don't sound like loud powerful dirt bikes, but a weak broken dust buster. Luckily for us the hard rock sound track fades out the lousy sound effects, and pumps up our Adrenalin at the same time. Championship Motocross features different skill levels to play, multiple bikes and tracks with different weather conditions.

Motocross' control is great, a little tight on the corners, but practice will perfect that. Championship Motocross is more strictly a motocross game. Unlike the popular game Motoracer, you will not find yourself racing on the Great Wall of China in this one. Championship Motocross is aiming for realism. It hits its target dead on. If you enjoyed Jeremy Mcgrath Supercross '98 from Acclaim last year, you'll absolutely love this game from THQ.

There are a lot of Supercross titles coming out this year, and only time will tell which ones are good. Championship Motocross Featuring Ricky Carmichael is an exciting, well designed game. Grab it before it gets lost in the crowd.

PUBLISHER: THQ

GRAPHICS: 8

SOUND & MUSIC: 7.5

CONTROL: 8

SECRETS: 7

ORIGINALITY: 7

FUN & REPLAY: 7

OVERALL: 8