Virtual racer: Best motorbike video games

MotoGP21 features the full range of official teams, riders and liveries for the 2021 MotoGP season. The latest iteration has been developed remotely during the Covid pandemic and although 2020 was an unconventional season, 2021 and the game look to be a bit more normal.

While the world of Supercross might be something of a niche to many UK bikers, its hugely popular motorcycle video game in the US. Why not take some time out and get to know the sport with Supercross 3?

More of a racing/riding simulation than a motorcycle video game, Ride 4 put you on hundreds of bikes and at dozens of circuits around the world. Bikes are faithfully reproduced and the mechanics are as real as possible; tyre wear and damage are all part of the thrill and day turns into night and back to day again while the weather also changes.

Heavily discounted due to the fact that this is the official motorcycle video game based on the race from three years ago, this offers not just bikes but quads, cars, UTVs and trucks as well.

The legendary and infamous Isle of Man TT may have fallen foul of the Coronavirus epidemic in 2020 and 2021 but fans can take to the island roads in TT Isle of Man 2 after competing in feeder championships on one of 18 bikes (including classics) and over a further 17 tracks though none are genuine, real-world circuits.

Mud, sweat and glory is the tagline for the official motorcycle video game of the 2020 MXGP Motocross championship. Its got the official riders, bikes and teams from the season as well as all 19 circuits around the world. Like many games, there's a career mode to allow you to progress through the feeder series and develop your skills and you can also create the circuits you compete on, with as much altitude as attitude.

A slightly older option in this list, but certainly one worthy of note. Released in June 2016, this is a game that sees The Doctors love of two and four wheels collide; allowing you to race the then latest YZR-M1 MotoGP bike and Yamaha R1M superbike, as well as take part in car drift and rally challenges, plus sideways flat track action.

Released in 2017, Road Redemption is your chance to let off some serious steam; taking part in vehicular warfare in a post-apocalyptic landscape. Rated 18, this is very much a Road Rash for the modern era and while it might not be a game for the motorcycle racing purist, it could provide some great value entertainment.

Compete all over the world in this challenging trials epic letting players stamp their two-wheeled authority on everything from the Eiffel Tower, to Yellowstone National Park

Powered by Red Bull and running on Apple or Android mobile devices, this addictive game offers a range of bikes and tracks that you can race over, jump from, flip and whip across and gain mentorship from riders such as former Womenu2019s Trials champion and enduro rider Laia Sanz. Play alongside or against other players and choose from a variety of game modes as you try to become worthy of the coveted Red Bull helmet.

From the same people who developed the successful Traffic Racer, Traffic Rider is a road-based chaotic racing sim where you can progress through 29 bikes, from scooters to cruisers and sportsbikes and over 70 missions in career mode.

A frankly infuriatingly addictive game, this pits you as a stick man on an off-road bike working your way across an increasingly annoying and tricky course that will destroy your bike if you allow anything but the wheels to hit the track. Play against a ghost of your best run or other players online. It will become your new addiction.