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Top 9 BMX games of all time
Want to pull off some Kriss Kyle-style bike skills? Try these top BMX games.
Have you seen Kris Kyle's Kaleidoscope video? In this mindblowing film, the Scottish BMX rider is pulling off stunts that look like they'd only be possible in a video game! If Nintendo made a BMX game, this is what it would look like.
More: Watch Kriss Kyle ride his BMX through a course of optical illusions
26 min
Kriss Kyle's Kaleidoscope
Kriss Kyle performs a number of world-first tricks in an ever-changing environment designed to deceive.
However, if his film makes you want to pull off some tricks and stunts without the risk of injury, there are some fun BMX games to try. From retro BMX games like BMX Simulator to the current-gen bike game Pumped BMX +, these are the best BMX games in the history of video games.
01
BMX Simulator (MSX, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, Amiga, Atari ST: 1986)
BMX Simulator
© Codemasters
We don't usually go this far back when looking at our favorite BMX games, but this 1986 offering from Codemasters is a pretty important game that's worth mentioning. Not only was it the first ever BMX game, it's also got a pretty good shout for being the first extreme BMX video game ever made. It was fun, too: players had to race against either another player or a CPU opponent around seven different BMX tracks while also trying to beat a time limit. It might look extremely simple but it had a few features that were ahead of its time, such as the ability to watch slow-motion replays after each BMX race.
Although the technology for playing this game is now either discontinued or considered vintage, you can still enjoy it online here.
02
California Games (Commodore 64, NES, ZX Spectrum, Master System and more: 1987)
California Games
© Epyx
We already mentioned California Games when we listed our best surfing games and here it is on our list of our best BMX games, too – it's almost as if it's the perfect Red Bull BMX game! The BMX section of California Games had players trying to navigate a tricky course as quickly as possible. Points would not only be offered for a speedy finish, but also for each trick the player pulled off while racing. These ranged from simple grab tricks to front and back flips. Crash and you could get up and keep going, but crash on your head and it was game over.
You can relive the excitement of the California Games on Nintendo Switch, thanks to The Epyx Collection, or on PC through Steam.
03
Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX (PlayStation, Game Boy Color: 2001)
Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX
© Activision
After the enormous success of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater gave a massive boost to the popularity of skateboarding, it was understandable that publisher Activision would want to see if it had the Midas touch with other extreme sports like BMX. Its surfing effort, Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer, wasn't quite as popular but that's partly because surfing and skateboarding are very different. Far more successful was Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX, which swapped boards for bikes, featured very similar freestyle trick-based gameplay and starred a bunch of other real-life pro BMX riders including Rick Thorne and Mike Escamilla.
04
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX (PlayStation, Dreamcast, Game Boy Color, PC: 2000)
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX
© Acclaim
Not to be outdone by the Mat Hoffman games, rival publisher Acclaim released an alternative featuring BMX's other big name at the time, Dave Mirra. As you would expect, the general idea was very similar: bust out as many tricks, spins and flips as you can within a set time limit, while trying to link together combos for massive points. While it wasn't quite as popular as the Hoffman BMX game (mainly because it didn't have the might of the Tony Hawk lineage behind it), it was still popular enough to spawn a very good sequel and a couple of other (less impressive) BMX games after that.
If you’re feeling nostalgic or just want to try out this classic for the first time, you can dive into the action and play online here.
05
Alex Kidd BMX Trial (Sega Master System: 1987)
Alex Kidd BMX Trial
© Sega
OK, this one's a bit of a stretch, but we'll take any opportunity to get Alex Kidd in a list, no matter how shameful. Alex Kidd was Sega's mascot long before Sonic turned up on the scene, with a total of six games to his name. One of these was Alex Kidd BMX Trial, a quirky BMX racing game in which our big-eared hero had to navigate his way through a series of obstacle courses on his BMX bike. It wasn't quite as simple as that, though, because Alex was also being pursued by rival bikers who kept trying to push him off his bike. If they managed to make him crash a certain number of times, he wasn't able to continue and the game was over.
If you want to relive some retro fun, you can jump back into the action and play online here.
06
Trials Fusion (Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PC: 2014)
Trials Fusion
© Ubisoft
We couldn't really count the first two BMX games in the massively popular Trials series because, brilliant though they are, they featured motorbikes and didn't have any trick-based elements. However, the third BMX game in the series, Trials Fusion, introduced a new trick system, meaning players can pull off all manner of weird and wonderful mid-air stunts. Also, while playing through the game, you will eventually unlock the Rabbit, a yellow BMX-style bike without an engine. Hey presto, without knowing it, you've got the perfect BMX game: bikes, tricks and outstanding gameplay all in one nifty package. We love it when a plan comes together.
Ready to get in on the action? You can grab Trials Fusion on Steam for PC or play it on Xbox and PlayStation.
07
BMX The Game (PC: 2020)
If you’re looking for a virtual playground, BMX The Game delivers on all fronts. This game captures the essence of BMX with remarkable authenticity. It’s set in the sunny streets of Barcelona, so you can cruise around iconic BMX spots that look just like the real-life spots that inspired them. You can also dive into recreations of legendary indoor and outdoor parks from across the globe. The best part? It’s an open-world game, so you can ride wherever, whenever. Its realistic physics make every trick feel legit, like you’re pulling off the crazy moves yourself. This game features an Intuitive Gestural Control System, which lets you use the game controller's analog sticks to nail different tricks with style.
As for the customization—the options are endless. Create a unique avatar, tweak their look, and pimp out your bike with cool colors, stickers, and gear. Want to build your dream park? Go for it! Set up ramps, half-pipes, and whatever else you can think of. Then, share your masterpiece with the community, or kick back and explore the awesome parks others have made.
Download BMX The Game from Steam to hit the virtual streets on your PC.
08
BMX Streets, PIPE by BMX Streets (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S: 2018, 2024)
BMX Streets cranks up the fun for every fan of extreme biking. This freestyle simulator throws you straight into the heart of street riding, taking cues from the coolest spots around Vancouver, Canada. With its insanely realistic physics, you’ll feel every grind on the ledges, every slide on the rails, and every heart-pounding drop from a rooftop. While BMX Streets is for PC, PIPE by BMX Streets brings the thrill of BMX action to Xbox and PS4, offering a taste of the main BMX Streets experience on your console.
Grab up to three friends, gear up, and hit the streets together—because everything’s better with a squad. The game's massive open world is a playground waiting to be explored. With more than 1,000 bike parts to choose from, you can customize your ride to perfection. Whether you're collecting parts to build the bike of your dreams or just out to make your mark with some jaw-dropping tricks, BMX Streets gives you the freedom to ride your way.
Download BMX Streets from Steam and PIPE by BMX Streets for Xbox and PlayStation.
09
Pumped BMX + (Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC: 2015)
What started as a mobile game has evolved into one of the most exhilarating entries in a franchise of renowned BMX games. Pumped BMX + is a fast-paced arcade game that's all about adrenaline-pumping tricks, jaw-dropping speed, and top-notch skill. With over 500 challenges to conquer, players are guaranteed an experience that pushes the skills required for BMX games to their peak. The beautifully crafted environments—there are four to explore—offer a variety of settings to pull off the perfect trick. Complex tracks are packed with half-pipes, loops, and leaps that test the boundaries of what's possible.
Messed up a trick? An instant reset button lets you immediately get back into the action. The nearly unlimited creativity this game offers means you can string together an endless amount of combos. Plus, a fully licensed soundtrack keeps the energy high and the momentum going as you ace your tricks and combos.
When you’re ready to jump into the high-flying fun, you can find Pumped BMX + on PC via Steam, or on Xbox and PlayStation.
It’s time to pop a virtual wheelie
Whether you're into retro pixelated races or next-gen physics-defying flips, there's a game on this list to satisfy your inner daredevil. Grab your controller, channel your best Kriss Kyle energy, and get ready to shred. In the virtual world, the only limit is how far you can push your bike and your thumbs. Now, all that’s left to ask is...In which game are you pulling off your first tailwhip?
