The Cycles: International Grand Prix Racing

International Grand Prix Racing, released in 1989, is a classic motorcycle racing simulation developed by Distinctive Software and published by Accolade. If you ever played Grand Prix Circuit (the one with the F1 cars), this game will feel very familiar—it uses the same engine but swaps four wheels for two, which completely changes the physics and the challenge.
The ultimate goal is to become the World Champion. You do this by competing in a full season of the International Grand Prix. You race across 15 real-world circuits, including legendary tracks like Suzuka (Japan), Le Mans (France), and Donington Park (UK). Much like real-life racing, you earn points based on your finishing position in each race. The rider with the most points at the end of the circuit wins the trophy. For 1989, The Cycles was surprisingly deep. It wasn't just "hold the gas and turn."
You can choose your difficulty and speed by selecting a bike class:
- 125cc: Slower, easier to handle—great for learning the tracks.
- 250cc: The middle ground.
- 500cc: High-speed monsters that are very easy to "high-side" if you aren't careful.
The game is played from a first-person perspective. You see the handlebars, the tachometer, and the windshield. As you turn, the entire screen tilts to simulate the "lean" of the bike. This is where the game gets tricky. You have to start your lean before the corner. If you lean too hard or hit a curb, you’ll go sliding across the grass in a digitized crash animation. Before a race, you can tweak your bike’s gear ratios (for better acceleration vs. top speed) and choose your tire compound based on the weather.

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