Following in the blazing slip-stream of Monster Games' Excite Truck, Left Field Productions dirt-bike racer Nitro Bike is hoping to create a dust-storm all of its own.

Left Field Productions are a developer with some heritage in the motocross genre (most notably creating Excitebike 64 for the Nintendo 64), and this title's apparent similarities with Excite Truck (that tantalising combination of arcade action and surprising depth) make Nitro Bike a tempting proposition. Whether or not it will be able to emulate the quality of its predecessors has yet to be seen, but feature-wise it is looking fairly promising.

Wisely (and unsurprisingly) choosing to utilise the Wii Remote's tilt function, the title's controls will be performed with the same twists and turns that made Excite Truck so immersive. The very nature of motocross means that a greater range of stunts will be available, and the Wii Remote is more than capable of offering a satisfying control system. Reluctant to leave the game as little more than 'Excite Truck with bikes', the feature set has also been expanded to offer online gaming for up six players simultaneously (a feature that was sorely lacking in Monster Games' previous effort, and surely a must for its sequel – if it ever comes!).

Competition will take place over 60+ challenges and 20 levels, with victory hinging on your ability to out-trick and out-race your opponents. As with the likes of Excite Truck and the SSX series, boost is accrued by performing tricks, so mastering the controls will be vital.

Until we get our hands on the finished version, 'Nitro Bike' has everything to prove. Fairly unambitious in scope, its success or failure will rest squarely on the quality of the track design, the feel of the controls and the implementation of its online features.

Indeed, the online modes need to sate our hunger for head-to-head racing thrills in the long wait for Mario Kart Wii is a big ask (especially from a title with such a low planned price tag), but its inclusion should be praised. Even if all Nitro Bike manages to do is follow in the tracks of Excite Bike 64 and Excite Truck it should still be worth taking for a spin.

Check back with N-Europe for the full review to see if it warrants a place on the 'Excite' family tree!