Tail-whips, heatbreakers, and bone-crushers are all part of the game.

Nope, not talking about the latest RPG, but about a motorcycle racing game that features all-out action, and some nifty trick riding.

MX2002, from THQ for the Xbox, ventures away from the arcade format to challenge players with knack for tricks as well as all-out racing skills.

The game features Ricky Carmichael, a skilled motocross racer. But that is only one aspect of the game. Understanding a course, knowing when to through a trick into the mix and when to just flat-out race are the other aspects of a solid, well-rounded program.

This game incorporates diverse tracks, well-designed control elements and sterling graphics to entice players into a game where each track presents its own challenges, and players must learn to conquer them in order to advance to the ultimate challenge – competing against the best riders in the world.

You begin on a 125cc machine, in the amateur ranks. You must place in the top three of your schedule in order to move up into the professional ranks. Once there, you can earn points, customize your machine and improve your rider until you can stand atop the standings and declare yourself a champion.

The controls seem elementary. The left thumbstick controls the direction of the machine. Be careful – if you push forward, you are liable to do a nosestand and eat gravel – or whatever else the track may contain. Adhering to that formula, pull back, and you may land only on your back tire – which may not be a good thing, considering the terrain under your tire.

The left trigger will enable you to make sharper turns. The right trigger – in concert with the A, B, X, and Y buttons – performs the aerial stunts, like the no-hander (landing), the superman or the kiss of death. The tricks earn you points, which can be applied as you upgrade your machine. Gaining a sponsor for your sterling riding ability is also a sure path to success.

If racing is not your forte, you can choose to enter the freestyle market – performing tricks on a track set up for aerials. You can unlock other tracks with incredible displays of derry-do.

Graphically, this game is excellent. The tracks are well designed, and the bumps and jumps are relayed through vibration in the controller. The sound elements do a very nice job of supporting the graphics. You will hear the grind of a foot dropped to help a turn, and the rev of your machine echoes through the speakers.

If automatic shifting is not your cup of tea, then you can go to the manual clutch mode – which is more challenging, but has better rewards.

Multiplayer can throw players into a race, or into the freestyle arena with each rider banging or landing on each other after throwing tricks. This is a fun head-to-head style of play, which is not only intense, but can be a laugh-fest. There is even a freestyle-trick version of horse, which is quite challenging.

There are 30 pro riders to choose from – or you can create your own – and nine freestyle worlds and arenas to challenge you.

MX2002 is rated for Everyone, though it does contain some lyrics which some (make that very few) might find suspect.

This is a program that is definitely revving on the red line, and can be tougher than a 360-degree spin off a short jump. It features scheduled races, pulse-pounding action and terrific graphical elements.

Gameplay: 9.2
This is action-intensive –from the opening countdown until the final lap through the finish line. The tracks are diverse and challenging.

Graphics: 9.2
The track elements, the riders and the animation are all excellent.

Sound: 8.5
This portion of the game, from the musical soundtrack to the effects, do an excellent job of supporting the on-screen graphics.

Difficulty: 8
The controls are kept simple, while the actual tricks take impeccable timing and knowledge of the tracks to throw well. This is a challenging program.

Concept: 9
There are many elements incorporated into this title, from the all-out racing to freestyle.

Multiplayer: 8.5
From split-screen head-to-head racing to freestyle events (again in split-screen format), this game does a good job of providing challenge. This game is only formatted for one or two players.

Overall: 9
The crashes can be spectacular, and the racing action is intense. This is a very, very good motocross/freestyle program, featuring excellent graphical elements and sound. If this is the type of game you enjoy, you won’t find many better (at the moment) in the world of either console or PC games.