Monster Energy Supercross 6. Yep, six. The sixth iteration of a racing franchise that isn’t bad at all, but makes you question whether or not it is really necessary for it to get yearly sequels at a staggering pace. Do we need six of those? The Monster Energy Supercross seasons aren’t so different from one another to warrant vast overhauls between each release. As a result, both Monster Energy Supercross 4 and 5 felt extremely similar to one another. Any differences I had managed to notice back then felt really minute. If you’re thinking that Monster Energy Supercross 6 is an exception to the rule, you are dead wrong. This might not exactly be “FIFA on Switch” levels of blatantly re-releasing the same damn thing every year, but I find it really hard to justify its existence as a game. A full-fledged, pricey game.

Let’s start with what little is new in this particular iteration. There is a small open world for you to explore and collect some items, which is neat, but minute. The mode itself is somewhat hidden in the menus, as if the game itself wasn’t very keen on promoting its main difference when compared to Monster Energy Supercross 5.

The other main inclusion is actually a guest. Jeremy McGrath, a motorbike legend, is featured in Monster Energy Supercross 6, but not in the role you would expect. He actually acts as your mentor, both in the career mode and in the tutorial section of the game. Is it neat? Absolutely. But between this and the open map, could these have been added via paid DLC, a patch, whatever? Yes. Besides these little additions, Monster Energy Supercross 6 is just like Monster Energy Supercross 5. And 4. And I assume 3 as well.

As for the rest, you know what to expect. Good controls, a lengthy career mode, visuals that simply do not feel like they were created with next-gen in mind (there is a new AMD-sponsored tool in the visuals menu, but it made no difference upon toggling it on), buttrock riffs on menus, and so on. Nothing inherently bad, just the same as before. Nothing that made me wow, that made me go “okay, this warrants this game’s existence as a full-priced commercial product”. But I guess that’s part of the contract with the energy drink company that gives the game its name…

It’s hard to feel motivated when playing Monster Energy Supercross 6 because there is just so little in terms of actual improvements and new inclusions, I can’t help but constantly feel like this game, or its predecessor, could have just been part of a cheaper upgrade DLC pack, or something akin to what Konami did with PES before its demise a couple of years ago. There’s just no reason for Monster Energy Supercross 6 to be a full-fledged game. If you really want a supercross game and don’t own a single one so far, then sure, Monster Energy Supercross 6 is an excellent choice. But if you already own any of its predecessors, just stick to them.

 

Graphics: 7.0 Monster Energy Supercross 6 tried to convince me that the inclusion of some new AMD features improved its graphical fidelity, but it’s honestly the same as before. If there are any improves, they are beyond minute.	Gameplay: 8.0 Some little physics improvements for easier difficulties. As for the rest, it’s the same control scheme, same gameplay, same career modes.
Sound: 8.0 The main addition was the inclusion of bike legend Jeremy McGrath as a mentor during the tutorial mode. The rest of the game’s sound department is comprised of decent engine noises and the occasional rock riff when on a menu.	Fun Factor: 6.0 Very little has changed in this version of Monster Energy Supercross in comparison to its predecessors. Nothing that couldn’t have been added with a patch.
Final Verdict: 7.0

Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Videogame 6 is available now on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, and PC.

Reviewed on Xbox Series S.

A copy of Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Videogame 6 was provided by the publisher.