Pumped BMX Pro: The Arcade-Style Trick Simulator
Mountain Bike Games: A Fun and Healthy Way to Enjoy Cycling
If you love cycling but can't always hit the trails due to bad weather, lack of time, or other reasons, then mountain bike games might be the perfect solution for you. Mountain bike games are virtual simulations of riding a bike on off-road terrain, where you can race, jump, slide, and perform tricks on your screen. They are not only fun and exciting, but also beneficial for your health, skills, and motivation. In this article, we will explore what mountain bike games are, how they work, what their benefits are, and what are the best ones to play in 2022.
mountain bike games
What are mountain bike games and how do they work?
Mountain bike games are video games that recreate the experience of cycling on mountainous or hilly terrain using a specialized bicycle. They can be played on various platforms and devices, such as computers, consoles, smartphones, tablets, or virtual reality headsets. Some of them require a compatible bike trainer or sensors to connect your real bike to the game, while others can be played with a keyboard, mouse, controller, or touchscreen.
The history and evolution of mountain bike games
Mountain bike games have been around since the late 1980s, when the first titles such as BMX Simulator (1986) and Paperboy (1988) were released. However, they became more popular and realistic in the 1990s and 2000s, with games like Downhill Domination (2003), which featured licensed riders, bikes, and tracks; MTX Mototrax (2004), which introduced freeride and online modes; and Trials HD (2009), which added physics-based gameplay and user-generated content.
Mountain bike games reached a new level of recognition when they became an Olympic discipline in 1996 at the Atlanta Games. Since then, many games have tried to capture the thrill and challenge of cross-country racing, such as Cycling Manager (2001), Pro Cycling Manager (2005), and Tour de France (2011).
In recent years, mountain bike games have become more diverse and immersive, thanks to advances in graphics, sound, physics, and artificial intelligence. Some of the most notable examples are Descenders (2019), which features procedurally generated worlds and rogue-like elements; Shred! 2 (2018), which stars professional rider Sam Pilgrim and allows you to perform insane stunts; and Lonely Mountains: Downhill (2019), which offers a relaxing and scenic ride through nature.
The types and features of mountain bike games
Mountain bike games can be classified into different types according to their gameplay style, focus, and genre. Some of the most common types are:
Descenders: extreme downhill freeriding game
Shred! 2: stunt bike game featuring Sam Pilgrim
Lonely Mountains: Downhill: minimalist mountain biking game
Downhill Domination: classic PS2 mountain bike racing game
Zwift: online cycling and running game
Riders Republic: massive multiplayer outdoor sports game
Mountain Bike Xtreme: realistic mountain bike simulator
Pumped BMX Pro: arcade-style BMX trick game
Bike Unchained 2: downhill and slopestyle mountain bike game
MTB Freeride 2: first-person mountain bike game
Bike Mayhem Mountain Racing: downhill racing and trick game
Stickman Downhill Motocross: side-scrolling bike game with stickman characters
Bike Blast: endless runner bike game
Moto X3M Bike Race Game: physics-based bike racing game
Bike Race Free: multiplayer bike racing game
Dirt Bike Unchained: off-road motorcycle racing game
Mad Skills BMX 2: side-scrolling BMX racing game
Bike Baron 2: platformer bike game with level editor
Trail Boss BMX: 3D BMX adventure game
Touchgrind BMX 2: finger-controlled BMX game
Bike Stunt 3D: extreme bike stunt game
MTB Hill Bike Rider: downhill mountain bike game with realistic physics
MTB DownHill: Multiplayer: online mountain bike game with various modes and maps
Real MTB Downhill 3D: challenging mountain bike game with realistic graphics and physics
MTB Project: mountain biking trail guide and navigation app
Trailforks: mountain bike trail database and map app
Strava: fitness tracking app for cyclists and runners
Komoot: cycling and hiking route planner app
REI Co-op National Parks Guide: app for exploring national parks by bike or foot
AllTrails: app for finding hiking and biking trails near you
Mountain Biking UK Magazine: magazine for mountain bike enthusiasts
Dirt Rag Magazine: magazine for mountain bikers of all styles and levels
Mountain Bike Action Magazine: magazine for mountain bike news, reviews, and tips
Pinkbike.com: website for mountain bike news, videos, and community
Vital MTB.com: website for mountain bike reviews, ratings, and videos
Singletracks.com: website for mountain bike trails, gear, and news
IMBA.com: website for International Mountain Bicycling Association, a non-profit organization that advocates for trail access and conservation
MTBR.com: website for mountain bike reviews, forums, and classifieds
Bikerumor.com: website for cycling news, rumors, and reviews
Cyclingnews.com: website for cycling news, results, and live coverage
Mountain Bike Skills Course: online course for learning and improving mountain bike skills
Mountain Bike Maintenance Course: online course for learning how to maintain and repair your mountain bike
Mountain Bike Training Program: online program for improving your fitness and performance on the bike
Mountain Bike Coaching Service: online service for getting personalized coaching and feedback from a professional mountain bike coach
Mountain Bike Podcast: podcast for mountain bikers of all levels and interests
The Singletrack Sampler YouTube Channel: YouTube channel for mountain biking adventures, tips, and reviews by Alex Chamberlin
Seth's Bike Hacks YouTube Channel: YouTube channel for mountain biking hacks, experiments, and fun by Seth Alvo
BKXC YouTube Channel: YouTube channel for mountain biking trails around the world by Brian Kennedy
Downhill racing: These games emphasize speed, adrenaline, and risk-taking as you race down steep slopes against other riders or the clock. They often feature realistic graphics, physics, and damage systems that make you feel every bump, jump, and crash. Examples include Descenders, Downhill Domination, MTB Downhill Simulator.
User-generated content and modding: These features allow you to create your own content and share it with other players, such as tracks, bikes, riders, or scenarios. You can also modify the existing content and gameplay to suit your preferences and style. Examples include Trials HD, Descenders, Lonely Mountains: Downhill.
Virtual reality and motion control: These features allow you to experience the game in a more immersive and realistic way, using a VR headset or a motion controller. You can feel like you are actually riding a bike in the game world, with 360-degree vision and feedback. Examples include VR Bike, Down the Mountain VR, MTB Freeride VR.
What are the benefits of playing mountain bike games?
Playing mountain bike games is not only fun, but also good for you in many ways. Here are some of the benefits of playing mountain bike games:
They improve your fitness and cardiovascular health
Mountain bike games can help you burn calories, improve your heart rate, and strengthen your muscles. They can also improve your coordination, balance, and reflexes. Some games require you to use a real bike and a trainer or sensors to connect to the game, which makes the exercise more effective and realistic. Even if you use a keyboard, mouse, controller, or touchscreen, you can still get a good workout by moving your body and engaging your core.
They enhance your skills and confidence on the trails
Mountain bike games can help you learn new skills and techniques that you can apply on the real trails. They can also help you overcome your fears and challenges that you might face on the trails, such as steep drops, sharp turns, or obstacles. By playing mountain bike games, you can practice your skills in a safe and controlled environment, without risking injury or damage to your bike. You can also improve your confidence and self-esteem by completing goals, earning rewards, and competing with other players.
They provide entertainment and challenge for all levels of riders
Mountain bike games can cater to different levels of riders, from beginners to experts. They can also offer different modes of gameplay, from casual to hardcore. You can choose the game that suits your skill level, interest, and mood. You can also customize your bike and rider to match your personality and style. Whether you want to relax and enjoy the scenery, or push yourself to the limit and test your skills, there is a mountain bike game for you.
What are the best mountain bike games to play in 2022?
There are many mountain bike games available on the market, but some of them stand out from the rest. Here are some of the best mountain bike games to play in 2022:
Descenders: A realistic and thrilling downhill racing game
Descenders is a fast-paced downhill racing game that features procedurally generated worlds, rogue-like elements, and realistic physics. You can choose from four teams with different styles and goals: Enemy (stunts), Arboreal (off-road), Kinetic (speed), or Special (bonus). You can also customize your bike and rider with various items and accessories. The game has a career mode where you have to complete va