- MXGP 26 first impressions are overwhelmingly positive after hands-on time trial sessions.
- The game is rebuilt from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5 with fully free physics.
- Track surfaces matter: clay dirt and sand behave very differently, just like real motocross.
- Ride with assists on first, then progressively turn them off for the full experience.
- Launch is set for October 1, 2026, a major step up from MXGP 24.
MXGP 26 First Impressions: A Massive Rebuild
MXGP 26 first impressions from early hands-on sessions point to one clear conclusion: this is a completely different game from MXGP 24. Milestone's rebuild in Unreal Engine 5 delivers a physics package that finally gives console motocross fans the free, manipulable bike control they have been asking for since the MXGP 19/21 era.
Video Highlights:
- Full no-assists time trial laps on Fox Hills (MX2) and Lommel (450)
- Side-by-side comparison of free physics versus assisted riding
- First-person camera and adjustable FOV demonstration
- Bike setup menu breakdown: gear ratio, brakes, forks, and shock
The standout change is how the dual-joystick control scheme works. The left stick steers while the right stick handles lean in every direction: forward, back, left, and right. In the air, every scrub, whip, and correction comes from working both sticks together, which makes riding feel genuinely hands-on rather than scripted.
Use automatic gearing while learning. The bike demands constant stick input, and the default shift buttons (A/X on Xbox, X/Square on PlayStation) currently cannot be remapped, which makes manual shifting awkward early on.
Physics and Track Surfaces
The physics model is the heart of MXGP 26. Ruts carved into the ground physically grab the bike and pull it in different directions, meaning corner entry speed and lean angle directly determine whether you hook a berm or knife straight off the track.
| Surface | Grip Feel | Rut Behavior | Key Skill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clay dirt (Fox Hills) | Predictable, slightly random at times | Ruts grab but let go sooner | Precise entry speed |
| Sand (Lommel, Arco di Trento-style) | Grippier and heavier | Deeper, grabbier ruts | Momentum conservation |
| Hard-packed lines | Less forgiving | Shallow traction | Smooth throttle control |
Additional physics details that stand out:
- Over-jump consequences: land too long on a tabletop and you crash, similar to MX Bikes.
- Weight distribution: easy to loop out under power with wheelie assist off; lean forward through jumps to stay level.
- Backflips and whips: fully possible and look far more realistic than in previous entries.
- Traction model: you can see and feel where the tire decides to grab mid-corner.
Assisted physics slow down rider lean dramatically. When the bike kicks over a bump, you may not be able to react fast enough to save it. Turn assists down as soon as you are comfortable.
Recommended Setup Path for New Riders
Finding the right assist configuration is the single biggest factor in enjoying your first hours. Here is the progression we recommend based on hands-on testing.
Start With Assists On
Set braking assist, wheelie assist, and traction control to medium with a combined brake setup. This keeps the bike manageable while you learn track layouts.
Use Automatic Gearing
Keep shifting automatic so both thumbs stay on the sticks, reacting to kicks and ruts at all times.
Pick the Right Bike
Start with the 450. Its torque saves sloppy corner exits while you build the corner-speed skills needed for the 250.
Dial In the Camera
Use the far third-person camera for track awareness, and experiment with the FOV slider (70–110) to find your preferred view. First person is surprisingly polished.
Strip Assists Gradually
Turn off traction control, then braking assist, then wheelie assist, and raise air control sensitivity to unlock scrubs, whips, and mid-air corrections.
Lean into the corner to find the rut, then release the right stick and let the left stick carry you through. Holding lean on the right stick tends to pop you out of ruts early.
Bike Setup and Time Trial Features
The setup menu is intentionally lean but functional. There are no tire compounds or ride height options; the focus is on suspension feel and power delivery.
| Setup Option | What It Controls | Tuning Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Gear ratio | Overall power band spread | Track-dependent top speed |
| Upshift slip allowance | Smoothness of shifts | Sand vs. hardpack |
| Downshift power delivery | Engine braking feel | Corner entry stability |
| Brake distribution | Front/rear bias, total power | Preventing lockups |
| Fork stiffness | Front-end feel and hold-up | Braking bumps |
| Shock settings | Rear squat and drive | Ruts and acceleration |
Time trial mode adds ghost racing against your own laps and other players, plus a fair track-limit penalty system: going off-track is allowed as long as you do not gain time. Each track has achievement-level lap targets, with gold medals set at genuinely fast pace, such as the low 1:43 range on Lommel that far outpaces typical 1:51–2:06 laps.
MXGP 26 ships with roughly 29 achievements, spanning time trial lap targets, ride distance, race wins across categories, and championship mode completion.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Every first impression needs balance. Here is where MXGP 26 shines and where it still needs work before and after launch.
Strengths
- Free, believable physics
- Distinct sand vs. dirt surfaces
- Excellent first-person camera
- Realistic ruts and weight transfer
Weaknesses
- Sound design needs work
- No shift-button remapping yet
- Limited setup depth (no tires)
- Terrain deformation unproven in races
Verdict
- Sim-cade middle ground
- Best console motocross physics yet
- Made for racers, not free-riders
- Huge step up from MXGP 24
The overall read: MXGP 26 lands closer to the beloved MXGP 19/21 feel while fixing the erratic bike reactions those games had. It is challenging but fair, rewarding riders who learn proper corner speed, rut technique, and jump timing.
Launch Readiness Checklist
The game launches October 1, 2026. Prepare with this checklist so you are up to speed on day one.
Before Your First Race:
- Run 5+ time trial laps with assists on to learn a track
- Switch to automatic gearing and the far camera
- Test both MX2 250 and MX1 450 on different surfaces
- Turn off traction control for your first free-physics laps
- Set a personal best before chasing gold-medal lap targets
Milestone deliberately limited pre-launch coverage this time, so most tracks, championship mode, and the compound remain largely unseen. Go in fresh and discover the content yourself.
FAQ
Q: Do MXGP 26 first impressions suggest it is better than MXGP 24?
Yes, by a wide margin. Early hands-on time shows a completely rebuilt game in Unreal Engine 5 with free physics, real ruts, and a much more intuitive bike that responds directly to stick input rather than feeling arcade-like.
Q: Should I play MXGP 26 with assists on or off?
Start with braking, wheelie, and traction assists set to medium to learn tracks and bike behavior. Assisted physics slow rider lean and prevent fast crash saves, so strip them off gradually to unlock the full scrub-and-whip experience.
Q: Is MXGP 26 good for beginners?
It is a challenging sim-cade rather than a pure arcade game, but the adjustable assist suite and automatic gearing make it approachable. The 450 is recommended early because its power saves mistakes in corner exits.
Q: What can I customize in the bike setup?
You can adjust gear ratio, upshift slip, downshift power delivery, brake distribution and power, plus fork and shock settings. There are no tire compound or ride height options at this stage.