MotoGP 26 Switch 2 Review

MotoGP 26 Switch 2 Review
Version Reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2

Last year, MotoGP 25 on the original Switch introduced me to the world of motorcycle motorsport, and I thoroughly enjoyed it thanks to its myriad of customisation options that meant it could be a more casual arcade-style game, or an in-depth hardcore simulation, which was really impressive on the handheld console. Now, on the Switch 2, developer Milestone wants to shift up a gear with MotoGP 26, encouraging players to return for some more high-speed racing for fans of the sport. What’s it Like? Put on your race suit, secure your helmet, and prepare to go fast as we review MotoGP 26 on Nintendo Switch 2.

MotoGP 26 returns with a fair amount of game modes and racing action, like exhibition matches and Race-offs, which include flat track, motard, minibike, and production bike racing, as well as online and split-screen multiplayer, and a new feature that allows you to collect trading cards by earning randomised packs. I didn’t really understand the inclusion, as it didn’t add anything to the game for me, but for completionists, it’s another thing to look out for. Career Mode is still the central spotlight and heart of the MotoGP series, and this time, you can create a custom character or play as an official MotoGP racer as they climb the championship rankings, create rivalries, and take part in exhibition races just for fun. For each race, you can participate in the full weekend, including practice sessions and multiple qualifiers, a more basic weekend with just a qualifier, or jump straight into the main race with simulated results for the qualifiers. There are press conferences along with post-race debriefs, which can alter your stats, shape the improvements of your bike, and even build rivalries and friendships with other racers. It’s great to see those rivalries or camaraderie moments appear in certain cutscenes during exhibition meet-ups, which add a bit more character to the game. These exhibition matches, or “Race-offs” as the game calls them, can be skipped entirely, but participating in them, regardless of winning or losing, will provide stat boosts for your rider.

There are no friends on the racetrack, however, as MotoGP 26 manages to deliver an edge-of-your-seat racing experience that had my hands gripped on the controller as if I was holding on for dear life while cornering. Each race feels like a long-fought battle for position, with exhilarating speed that had me on the edge of my seat as I sped down the final straight, thanks to MotoGP 26’s adaptive difficulty that made most races feel neck and neck for the duration. It’s exhilarating and exciting, and after I started getting used to the bike, winning meant trusting instincts and fighting against what the racing line was telling me. Sometimes I would push things too far and lose position, or worse, crash. Thankfully, the rewind feature allows you to go back and try again, either perfecting your corner or just settling for making it around while only losing a few positions. The feeling of finally improving from finishing around the 15th mark to a podium finish felt incredibly rewarding. Seeing my avatar celebrate a first-place win mirrored exactly how I felt, especially after a heart-pounding race where I was jostling for position in the top 5, only securing first on the second-last turn of the track. It’s an incredibly satisfying experience.

This also leans into the strength of MotoGP 26’s level of difficulty, which can be almost any challenge you would like. As a more casual racer, I preferred to have my settings focused on a more arcade experience, letting me enjoy the thrill of racing while only really having to worry about taking corners and going fast. More hardcore sim racers can crank that difficulty up, managing not only piloting the bike, but realistic weight distribution and ride height for maximum efficiency on the track. It’s great to see this wide difficulty range continue forward, as a more casual gamer like me can enjoy the sport without isolating more committed MotoGP fans, and I think that’s a real win for players.

Graphically, MotoGP 26 is a huge step up from MotoGP 25’s visuals, which is understandable due to the new power of the Switch 2. Bikes and shadows are highly detailed, textures and bump mapping look sharp and believable, and the courses have much more detail than MotoGP 25. The character models still leave a little to be desired, and hair textures seem to misbehave in light sources, but overall, it’s still a great-looking game. There are a lot of smaller details that you might miss that help make the game feel more authentic, like the camera quickly dipping in and out of focus during an interview, or your character adjusting themselves when they sit down for a press conference. Again, the camaraderie and interactions between characters having a chat or a laugh before the race really bring the world to life.

However, it also highlights how the audio design is severely lacking and hurts the immersion of the game. While there are animations, interviews, and speeches, it’s all silent, with just a single music track on loop. This awkward silence is broken by pre-race commentary while riders prepare on and off the track, which makes the world feel alive again, only to go completely silent during the races, with only the droning hum of your motorbike engine to keep you company. I think a bit of commentary and pit crew talk could have really elevated the immersion here, similar to how GRID Legends did it, but as it stands, the audio design is rather plain.

For my racers looking into accessibility, on top of the customisable difficulty, MotoGP 26 features an impressive accessibility suite. Gamers can remap buttons, set one-handed controls, adjust UI sizing, and use colourblind accessibility modes. You can add subtitles and backgrounds for higher contrast, isolate and adjust nearly every individual audio source, including a tinnitus reduction filter, and even adjust the offline game speed to assist with reaction time. It’s clear Milestone developed MotoGP 26 with accessibility in mind, and it’s fantastic to see the sport brought to a wider audience because of it.

At just under $70, MotoGP 26 provides a lot of content that will keep MotoGP enthusiasts occupied for a while, especially those with a competitive thirst for online play. MotoGP 26 continues the series tradition of letting you play your way, whether it be a more casual arcade experience or a realistic sim experience for those looking for a challenge. MotoGP 26 will keep you on the edge of your seat as you lean into turns with reckless abandon, ignoring that racing line to risk it all for the glory. It’s an exciting racer with an exhilarating sense of speed that delivers a heart-racing handheld experience worthy of another lap.

So, What’s it Like? MotoGP 26 is like Gran Turismo, but with Motorbikes.

In the interest of full disclosure, a review copy was provided by the publisher, but this doesn’t influence my score.

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