Experience the speed of superbikes

SBK 09 Superbike World Championship is a simulator that lets you play through the 2009 season. It includes all the real teams, riders and tracks.

This demo lets you race the Kyalami track, choose between two teams, and alter the weather and number of tracks. You can make SBK 09 Superbike World Championship as realistic as you like in terms of gameplay, with a wealth of driving aids to turn on and off. This makes it appealing to bike fanatics and the more casual players alike.

The track is really nicely done, and in the rain there are puddles and drier patches which make it feel really real (and extremely dangerous!). The riders are well rendered too, and their suits get scratched and damaged after a fall. Overall, however, the graphics won’t wow anyone in 2009. They’re not bad, but a few effects, like the water spray, look a bit old.

The effect of speed is pretty good – there are no flourishes like speed blurring, but as this is aiming for realism perhaps it’s unsuitable. There’s a big range of camera views, so you’re sure to find on you’re comfortable with.

Superbike fans will love SBK 09 Superbike World Championship, but it’s not a particularly special racing game otherwise.