- MXGP 26 on Xbox Series X is the official FIM Motocross World Championship game, rebuilt on Unreal Engine 5.
- The game features 19 real circuits, 2026 riders and liveries, and dynamic track degradation.
- No career mode exists — you get championship seasons, time attack, free roam, and ranked online multiplayer.
- Physics are demanding: expect frequent crashes until you learn each track's rhythm.
- Best for motocross fans who prioritize authentic surfaces over deep progression systems.
MXGP 26 on Xbox Series X: Overview and Performance
MXGP 26 marks the franchise's return after a two-year absence, and for Xbox Series X players it represents a fresh start. Developed solely by Artifact Studio in France and published by Nacon, the game ditches the KT Engine that plagued MXGP 2024 in favor of Unreal Engine 5. The result is a dramatic visual and handling upgrade, though the package still has notable gaps that Xbox riders should understand before buying.
Video Highlights:
- MXGP 26 is a night-and-day improvement over MXGP 2024
- Track surfaces degrade in real time based on your racing lines
- Dynamic weather creates authentic puddles and muddy conditions
- AI opponents are the weakest link — slow and unpredictable
- No career mode, only championship seasons and time attack
On the hardware side, testing showed a reliable 60 FPS lock with no noticeable hiccups, and the same held true on high-end PCs with settings maxed out. Xbox Series X players can expect comparable performance given the console's capabilities. Smaller details amplify the presentation: rider shirts flap in the wind, dirt gradually builds up on bikes, and rainy replays showcase drenched, churned surfaces that genuinely impress.
If you notice occasional pop-in during pre-race scenes, rest assured it is cosmetic only — race performance remains smooth. Focus your settings attention on track surface detail, since reading ruts and lines is the core gameplay skill.
| Aspect | MXGP 26 (Unreal Engine 5) | MXGP 2024 (KT Engine) |
|---|---|---|
| Visuals | Detailed bikes, crowds, smoke effects | Lackluster, dated |
| Track surface | Real-time degradation, dynamic lines | Static, shallow |
| Frame rate | Stable 60 FPS | Inconsistent |
| Handling | Poised, serious physics | "Cardboard horse" feel |
| Weather | Dynamic rain with puddles | Basic |
Game Modes: What You Can Actually Do
This is where MXGP 26 stumbles. Despite carrying an official championship license, the mode selection is thin compared to genre rivals like Monster Energy Supercross 25, MotoGP, or EA Sports F1. Here is the honest breakdown of what Xbox players get.
Grand Prix Events
- Single races vs AI rivals
- Select any of the 19 circuits
- Customizable weather and conditions
Championship
- Full MX2 or MXGP season
- Customizable calendar and race length
- Podium celebration, then back to menu
Time Attack
- Beat bronze/silver/gold/diamond times
- Online leaderboards
- Gold times unlock liveries
The Training Ground free roam area is misleadingly named — there is no actual training here. No tutorials, no challenges, no collectibles. It is simply an open area to ride. This is a missed opportunity, especially since techniques like whips and scrubs are never explained anywhere in the game.
Online multiplayer fares somewhat better. There is a ranking and matchmaking system for public lobbies, friends can join private lobbies, and AI can fill out grids. However, local split-screen and cross-platform online play are both absent, and you cannot share custom rider or bike designs with the community.
There is no career mode in MXGP 26. You cannot rise from MX2 to MXGP, manage a team, develop your bike, or handle sponsors and resources. If deep progression is your priority, this game will disappoint you.
| Mode | Content | Progression |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | Single events vs AI | None |
| Championship | MX2 or MXGP season | Ends after podium |
| Time Attack | Ghost racing, leaderboards | Livery unlocks |
| Training Ground | Empty free roam area | None |
| Multiplayer | Ranked public + private lobbies | Ranking system |
| The Journey | Task list combining modes | Completion percentage |
Physics and Handling: How to Stay Upright
The handling model in MXGP 26 sits on the serious side of the arcade-sim spectrum. Bikes feel notably more poised than in MXGP 2024, and there are neat touches like the rear stepping out under braking as your rider backs it into a turn, or the animation of hopping back onto your bike after a crash — which you will do frequently.
The main technical criticisms concern aerial control and cornering:
| Situation | Problem | Workaround |
|---|---|---|
| Scrubs/whips | Hard to exit cleanly, risk of flipping | Commit earlier, keep inputs minimal |
| Mid-corner correction | Rigid, understeer-like feel | Reduce entry speed, trust the berm |
| Berm contact at odd angles | Launched into the air | Square off corners, hit berms square |
| Heavy jump landings | Frequent crashes | Learn each track's rhythm |
| Clips and signage | Instant crashes | Memorize trackside hazards |
Even with the three-axis auto-alignment assist enabled, it remains easy to flip over mid-air instead of righting yourself before landing. Veteran motocross gamers may disable assists entirely and get along fine, but the game assumes you already know these techniques rather than teaching them.
You must genuinely learn each of the 19 circuits. Spend your first laps in Time Attack mode where there is no AI pressure — setting a gold time doubles as track familiarization and unlocks new liveries for your efforts.
The AI Problem: Race Strategy Workarounds
The single biggest flaw in MXGP 26 is the AI competition. Rivals are short-sighted and unpredictable, sometimes weaving or crashing at unremarkable places, particularly at race starts. They appear to struggle with the dynamic track surfaces, unable to handle the deepening ruts and changing lines.
Beyond the first corner, the field spreads out dramatically — resembling three pros racing against a lobby of amateurs. Unless you enable manual clutch mode, you are essentially guaranteed a holeshot every race because AI riders launch slower off the line. Reviewers have reported winning races on Pro difficulty without practice or qualifying, even after multiple crashes.
Raise the Difficulty to Expert
Start on Expert or higher if you have any motocross game experience. Pro difficulty is simply not a challenge for most players given the slow AI pace.
Enable Manual Clutch
Manual clutch removes your automatic holeshot advantage and makes launch performance skill-based, which improves race authenticity considerably.
Expect First-Corner Chaos
Anticipate AI crashes and weaving at the start. Position yourself wide into turn one to avoid collected riders, then pick your lines through the spread-out field.
Move to Ranked Multiplayer
Once AI races feel routine, the ranking and matchmaking system in public lobbies offers human opponents who actually use the dynamic racing lines.
The foundational elements — visuals, dynamic rain, serious physics, and customization — are all in place. The on-track product is undermined by weak single-player rivals and thin content, but this is a meaningful step forward from MXGP 2024.
Customization and Progression Tips
While career depth is absent, MXGP 26 does offer a solid customization suite. A paint scheme color picker lets you enter races with a bright pink bike if you so choose, and customizable real-world apparel can be unlocked and then tweaked to match your look.
The Journey mode attempts to mask the lack of meaningful modes by combining championship racing, time attack, and unlockable customization items into a task list. Each task fills a virtual medal with a completion percentage, providing at least a semblance of progression.
Getting Started Milestones:
- Complete Time Attack laps on your home circuit
- Set a gold time to unlock your first alternate livery
- Run a full MX2 championship weekend
- Enable manual clutch and win a holeshot on skill
- Paint a custom bike scheme with the color picker
- Complete 25% of The Journey task list
| Unlock Source | Reward | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Time Attack times | New bike liveries | Moderate |
| The Journey tasks | Customization items | Varies |
| Apparel unlocks | Real-world gear, tweakable | Gradual |
| Ranked multiplayer | Ranking progression | Player-dependent |
The customization and unlock loop gives completionists something to chase, even without a career mode. Combine livery hunting with track learning for the most efficient early hours.
FAQ
Q: Is MXGP 26 available on Xbox Series X?
Yes. MXGP 26 is a multiplatform release developed by Artifact Studio and published by Nacon. Testing on console hardware showed a reliable 60 FPS with smooth performance, so Xbox Series X players can expect a comparable experience.
Q: Does MXGP 26 have a career mode?
No. You can run a championship season in either MX2 or the MXGP class, but you cannot rise from MX2 to the top class, manage a team, develop your bike, or handle sponsors. Nothing carries over between seasons.
Q: Is MXGP 26 better than MXGP 2024?
Yes, significantly. The switch to Unreal Engine 5 delivers better visuals, real-time track degradation, dynamic weather, and improved handling. However, AI opponents remain weak and the content is thin for a full-price official championship game.
Q: Does MXGP 26 support split-screen or cross-platform play?
No. Local split-screen and cross-platform online multiplayer are both omitted. Online play is limited to ranked public lobbies with matchmaking and private lobbies with friends, with AI available to fill grids.
Q: Is MXGP 26 beginner-friendly?
Not particularly. The physics are surprisingly tough for an officially licensed game, there are no tutorials, and the Training Ground free roam area offers no guidance. Newcomers will need patience while learning each of the 19 circuits.