E3 '07: Dave Mirra BMX Challenge Hands-On

Dave Mirra BMX Challenge was originally released on the PlayStation Portable late last year, and now publisher Crave and developer Left Field are bringing it to the Wii, complete with motion-control steering. We got to take a look at the game at E3 2007, and here's what we found.

The Wii version of BMX Challenge includes three game modes and 17 different levels/tracks to race through. The gameplay is a combination of racing and Tony Hawk-style trick action. You perform tricks to build up your Monster meter (licensed from the Monster brand of energy drink), which gives you a hefty speed boost when you fill it up. At a glance, the game looked a bit better than it did on the PSP, but in terms of basic content, it looks like it will very closely mimic its PSP counterpart.

One big change is the control scheme, which is mapped to the Wii Remote's motion-sensing technology. You hold the remote sideways as you would with something like Excite Truck. You press the 2 button to accelerate, and tilt the controller from side to side to steer. The steering certainly works, though in the build we played, it seemed a bit oversensitive, causing us to oversteer into corners and walls a little too often, even with only slight movements.

Dave Mirra BMX Challenge will hit stores for the Wii in August. Stay tuned to GameSpot for more on it soon.