MotoGP VR Appears at Location Test

Location testing is the arcade industry’s equivalent of a beta test. A game at this stage may be cancelled, receive substantial changes or never reach public release.

Play Mechanix developed MotoGP in 2015 after stepping away from its usual light-gun projects. The motorcycle racer took a more serious, simulator-oriented approach than Raw Thrills’ more accessible Super Bikes and Super Bikes 2.

The game remained in development until shortly after the pandemic, when it was ultimately superseded by Super Bikes 3. Now, a VR version has appeared for testing at Dave & Buster’s in Addison, Illinois.

MotoGP VR tested in the United States

Two low-resolution photographs from the test location provide the first look at MotoGP VR. The available information suggests that the cabinet’s display mirrors the view shown inside the player’s headset. It is not yet clear whether the software includes other changes or content beyond the VR presentation.

It is also unknown whether the game can be played without the headset in a conventional 2D mode. Raw Thrills was contacted for further details but had no additional information to share at this stage.

Raw Thrills’ VR arcade projects

If MotoGP VR proceeds to production, it would become Raw Thrills’ second VR title. The company’s first was King Kong of Skull Island.

For readers discovering the motorcycle racer for the first time, footage of the standard, non-VR version shows how its simulator-style gameplay differs from the lighter approach taken by the Super Bikes series.

Earlier motorcycle VR simulators

Motorcycle racing and VR have already been paired in a handful of arcade experiments. Cesys previously presented Motorbike VR, another simulator built around a headset.

More recently, UNIS introduced Ultra Moto VR, continuing the format with a dedicated motorcycle experience.

Ultra Moto supports play without the headset, although that does not confirm the same option for MotoGP VR. Whether Raw Thrills’ project reaches production, and whether its final software supports both display modes, remains to be seen.

For more coverage of emerging arcade news, explore RETROCADE’s editorial archive. Readers comparing dedicated driving experiences can also browse racing arcades, review the arcade machine buying guide or see the wider range of arcade machines.