THQ and developer Rainbow Studios have nobly kept the tradition of motocross video games alive with their MX series of games, which have boasted such realistic features as gears with a clutch(!) as well as convincing rider and bike physics.The series widened its scope in 2005, with the release on PS2 and Xbox of MX Vs ATV: Unleashed, featuring motocross bikes and all-terrain quad-bikes going head to head, and 2006 sees the release of the game for PC, track editor included. THQ is clearly very enthusiastic about motocross, which is both a sport and a sort of mechanised martial art. In fact, THQ was the sponsor of the 2005 World Supercross GP, the world's premier off-road bike competition.Unleashed features new environments and event types, with a variety of new vehicles, and not just MX and ATV, perversely enough. A redesigned monster truck, powerful sand-rail and raised 4x4 golf karts meet ATVs, dirt bikes and bi-planes to compete in massive 'freeworlds' featuring hill climbs, machine challenges and short track races.The Off Road Playground gives you access to a number of events - straight races like supermoto, supercross and hill climbs, as well as trick-based events such as freestyle and gap jump. There's more besides. You can try out the other vehicles in the game in the machine races and Monster Mash events. It's time to don thy helmet and get down and dirty!