- MXGP 26 on Xbox One delivers a full motocross sim with deep bike setup and assist options.
- Riding assists matter: steering sensitivity, traction control, and wheelie assist change the game drastically.
- Terrain deformation is a standout feature and can be scaled from off to max.
- Apply Recommended Setup tunes your bike automatically for each track.
- Beta impressions suggest better physics than MXGP 24, with some fine-tuning still needed.
MXGP 26 Xbox One: First Impressions & Gameplay Overview
MXGP 26, developed by Artifacts Studio and published by Nacon, is the newest entry in the official FIM Motocross World Championship game series, and it is playable on Xbox One alongside current-gen platforms. Built as the studio's first major motocross title, it aims to deliver a more simulation-oriented riding experience than its predecessors. Early beta gameplay shows a game that rewards precise rut riding, features highly configurable assists, and includes some of the most progressive terrain deformation seen in the genre.
Video Highlights:
- Early beta gameplay covers bike setup menus, physics, and terrain deformation
- Riding assists like traction control and wheelie assist heavily affect handling
- Whips are fully player-controlled and feel free in the air
- Terrain deformation progressively roughens the track over a full moto
- The reviewer notes it plays significantly better than MXGP 24
The core experience on Xbox One revolves around three pillars: bike setup, game settings, and physics feel. Each one interacts with the others, so dialing in your configuration before your first race is one of the most important steps you can take.
| Feature | Beta Impression | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ground physics | Rewarding but hard to be precise | Ruts can knife the front end if entry speed is wrong |
| In-air physics | Free, player-controlled whips | Bike feels very light in the air |
| Terrain deformation | Excellent, progressive | Scalable from off to max |
| Rider animations | Much improved | Rider has a center of mass, flows better |
| First-person camera | Good default position | Custom FOV slider not available in beta |
Spend time in Time Attack mode first. Learning how the bike enters and sits down in ruts without race pressure builds the muscle memory you need for full motos.
Recommended Game Settings for Xbox One Players
The settings menu in MXGP 26 has a direct impact on how the bike handles, arguably more than in most motocross games. Choosing the right combination of assists can be the difference between a controllable ride and constant crashes, especially for players coming from more arcade-style titles.
Setting steering sensitivity to high makes the bike extremely twitchy and prone to oversteer. Low feels sluggish. Medium is the sweet spot for most riders in the current build.
| Setting | Options | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Steering sensitivity | Low / Medium / High | Medium — balanced control |
| Gearbox | Automatic / Manual | Manual for sim feel, auto for beginners |
| Traction control | Off to Max | Higher in beta to reduce constant wheelspin |
| Wheelie assist | Off to Max | Higher in beta to prevent full loop-outs |
| Slope steering | On / Off | Personal preference; off for purists |
| Brakes | Combined / Independent | Combined with braking assist for newer players |
| Rider weight distribution | Single / Dual stick | Dual stick for advanced control |
| Rider posture assist | Manual / Assisted sit-stand | Manual for full control |
| Air control mode | Free / Standard | Free for player-controlled whips |
| Air control sensitivity | Low to Max | Medium — high feels too fast and twitchy |
| Auto alignment | On / Off | Either works; manual for practiced riders |
Beginner Setup
- Automatic gearbox
- Traction control high
- Wheelie assist high
- Braking assist on
- Assisted sit-stand posture
Intermediate Setup
- Manual gearbox
- Medium steering sensitivity
- Moderate traction control
- Free air control, medium sensitivity
- Manual posture
Sim Setup
- Manual gearbox
- Low assist values
- Independent brakes
- Slope steering off
- Manual alignment
Keep in mind that these recommendations come from a beta build. Artifacts Studio was still fine-tuning handling ahead of the October release, so expect small changes to how assists behave at launch.
Bike Setup and Track-Specific Tuning
Before any Time Attack or race session, MXGP 26 lets you tune different areas of the bike to match the track. The standout feature is the Apply Recommended Bike Setup option, which automatically configures your suspension and chassis for the circuit you are about to ride.
Open the Bike Setup Menu
Access bike setup from the pre-race or Time Attack screen. Different zones of the bike can be adjusted independently.
Apply the Recommended Setup
Use the recommended setup for the current track as your baseline. This gives you a balanced handling platform tuned to the circuit.
Run Baseline Laps
Complete several clean laps to learn how the bike behaves with the default settings before changing anything.
Adjust One Variable at a Time
Change a single suspension or chassis setting per session so you can feel its exact effect on rut entry, squat, and jump faces.
Re-Test in Time Attack
Validate every change in Time Attack where terrain deformation is consistent, then carry your setup into races.
Each track in MXGP 26 has distinct soil, ruts, and jump shapes. The recommended setup accounts for these characteristics and gives casual riders a competitive baseline without hours of tuning knowledge.
Physics Deep Dive: Ground, Air, and Terrain Deformation
The physics are where MXGP 26 separates itself from earlier entries. On the ground, riding an inside rut correctly and getting the suspension to sit down into it is genuinely rewarding. The challenge is precision: entering ruts at the wrong speed can knife the front end or fail to compress the suspension at all.
In the air, whips are completely free and player-controlled. You can turn the bike, flatten it, and vary whip speed through the settings. The bike can also be landed slightly sideways without crashing, mirroring real motocross technique. The main critique from the beta is that the bike feels very light in the air, leaning the whips slightly toward arcade rather than full simulation.
Terrain deformation is the headline feature. Set to max, tracks progressively roughen over a full moto: smooth at the start, noticeably rough by the midpoint, and genuinely difficult to find clean lines on by the end of a 20-minute race. Deformation even affects jump faces, with curved ruts capable of yanking the bike off trajectory.
| Physics Area | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Ground handling | Rewarding ruts, tracks well when entered correctly | Precision is difficult, oversteer is common |
| In-air control | Free whips, sideways landings allowed | Bike feels weightless, whips lean arcade |
| Terrain deformation | Progressive, dramatic, fully scalable | Can overwhelm new players at max |
| Rider animation | Center of mass, fluid movement | Limited customization shown in beta |
You can set terrain deformation to off, low, medium, high, or max. New players should start at low or medium and increase it as their line selection improves.
Getting Started Checklist
Use this checklist to structure your first hours with MXGP 26 on Xbox One and build good habits from the start.
Launch Day Goals:
- Set steering sensitivity to medium and test all riding assists
- Apply the recommended bike setup on your first track
- Practice rut entry and exit in Time Attack
- Test terrain deformation at low, then medium
- Learn first-person and third-person camera options
The default first-person camera is positioned better than in most motocross games, sitting far enough back to see the track ahead. Try both perspectives before committing to one.
FAQ
Q: Is MXGP 26 available on Xbox One?
Yes. MXGP 26 is launching on Xbox family platforms, and the gameplay systems described here, including bike setup, riding assists, and terrain deformation, are part of the core experience across platforms.
Q: What are the best starting settings for MXGP 26 on Xbox One?
Start with medium steering sensitivity, automatic gearbox if you are new, higher traction control and wheelie assist, free air control at medium sensitivity, and the recommended bike setup for each track. Adjust assists downward as your control improves.
Q: Can I turn off terrain deformation?
Yes. Terrain deformation can be set to off, low, medium, high, or max. Lower settings keep the track smoother for longer, which is helpful while learning line selection.
Q: How does MXGP 26 compare to MXGP 24?
Based on early beta impressions, MXGP 26 plays significantly better than MXGP 24, with improved rider animations, free player-controlled whips, and standout progressive terrain deformation, though some physics fine-tuning was still pending before the October release.