Jet Moto was made available for the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 3 via the PlayStation Network in February 2007. Developers chose fictional hovering bikes instead of wheeled motorcycles initially to resolve performance concerns.

The Story Behind Jet Moto

Axiom Design created the user interface shell for the game, which has a comic book-inspired feel. Jet Moto was conceived as a "science fiction motocross". The music for Jet Moto was produced by Big Idea Music Productions.

The PC version also features 3Dfx hardware acceleration, which allows for higher resolution gameplay and visual enhancements such as reflective water. Once implemented, the developers noticed that the number of racers remaining at the end of the race was too random to be deemed any fun. Developers originally intended for players to be permanently out of a race when falling far off a track, however they came to realize that it was not fun for players "to be forced to go slow or suffer an instant defeat".

How Jet Moto Plays

Instead of being a continuous loop, these tracks have checkpoints at either end of the course, and the starting grid in the center. Players can also unlock additional tracks and a stunt mode by doing well in season competitions. Riders race to one end, then turn around to head for the other checkpoint, repeating the process until all laps are complete.

Players race three laps on a given course and earn series points based on their placement at the end of the race. Courses range from beaches with debris-littered water to swamps and ice-covered mountains. Players can choose to race a single race, a season of races, or a custom season.

Why Players Still Load It Up

While Lucas and GameSpots Glenn Rubenstein compared Jet Moto unfavorably to Wave Race 64, Next Generations reviewer argued that "in all fairness, the comparison isn't truly appropriate: where Wave Race is based around an existing vehicle that provides a basis of reference, there is no actual criterion for criticism on whether a jet moto game accurately emulates the 'jet motoing' experience". In its PlayStation 3 Retro Roundup, IGN opined the game held up well to its direct competitors at the time, Wave Race 64 and the Wipeout series, then stated Jet Moto was "still a pretty fun experience more than 10 years after its original release". Pacific Coast Power & Light was also developing Jet Moto 2124 for the PlayStation, set over a century after the first three games, however the game was cancelled when Jet Moto 3 showed poor sales.

GameSpot's review of the PC port praised the 3Dfx support. The game was most often criticized for its controls and unusual physics, which some reviewers said never feel quite right no matter how long the game is played. Several reviewers commented that the graphics are highly uneven, looking impressive in some points and embarrassingly poor in others.

Jet Moto — Frequently Asked Questions