The motorcycle physics vary between training-wheel simple (with rider aids like auto-brake and automatic transmission enabled) and moderately challenging. An optional "sim" mode produces a nervous bike that'll instantly break traction if you're too ambitious with the throttle (who the hell oiled the track?) and the gas and brake controls are mapped to the PS2's pressure sensitive X and Square buttons, permitting graduated analog response depending on how hard you press. You can also control fore and aft weight shift with the left thumbstick or let the game do this for you automatically. MotoGP4's gamepad-friendly bike dynamics may not impress hardcore sim fans but they deliver enough of a challenge to keep casual bike racing fans engaged.

The single-player AI also rises to the occasion. Although pushovers at easy difficulty, the game's rider-bots can throw down fast enough lap-times at the normal and hard settings to force you into the garage for some additional performance tuning. The wet weather effects are also impressive but some overly generous collision detection permits comical bumper car tactics without serious consequence.