MAVRIX brings its 100km² bike playground to PS5 and Xbox — but there’s an Early Access twist

The real win (and the catch) for console riders

MAVRIX, the open-world mountain biking game built with pro rider Matt Jones in the driver’s seat, is finally riding onto consoles on January 22, 2026 at 6pm GMT. That’s the good news. The catch: it’s launching as Early Access on PlayStation 5 and Game Preview on Xbox Series X|S. At £30 digital, this could be the most authentic MTB sim consoles have seen-if you’re willing to jump in while it’s still evolving.

• Console launch includes all existing PC content plus new Slopestyle features and tricks “exclusive to this launch.”
• 100km² open world, dual-stick controls, realistic physics, and a career mode with dynamic sponsorships.
• Multiplayer leaderboards with real-world prizes are in, but cross-play/cross-progression weren’t confirmed.
• At £30, the price feels fair-assuming a steady update cadence and no sneaky monetization later.

Why this matters now

This caught my attention because console mountain biking has sat in a weird gap between arcade and sim for years. Descenders nailed flow and procedural tracks; Lonely Mountains: Downhill mastered precision on bite-sized trails; Riders Republic went full theme park. MAVRIX is swinging for a different fence: a big open world (100km² is no joke), simmy physics with dual-stick trick inputs, and athlete-led design from someone who’s actually competed at the top level of slopestyle and downhill. That combo is rare-and potentially exactly what the genre’s been missing on PS5 and Xbox.

Breaking down the console drop

Both versions are set to include everything PC players have had so far, including the MAVRIX Cup for competitive riders, plus fresh Slopestyle content and “all-new tricks” tied to this launch. That wording screams timed exclusivity for consoles, but it’s unclear if PC gets those at the same time—something the team should clarify, because splintered feature sets across platforms are a fast way to irritate your core community. Language support is solid out of the gate (English, Chinese, French, Italian, German, Spanish), and it’s digital-only via the PlayStation Store and Xbox Store.

Under the hood, MAVRIX promises a lot: authentic physics, independent suspension, precise braking, and those dual-stick controls that sound more Skate than Tony Hawk—perfect for slopestyle where stick nuance matters. The career mode leans into realism with a dynamic sponsorship system (and real brands on board), and multiplayer brings global leaderboards with real-world prizes. That last part raises the usual questions: regional restrictions? Anti-cheat? How are ties handled? If you’re dangling actual prizes, the competitive integrity needs to be airtight.

Early Access on PS5 and Game Preview on Xbox: expectations check

Console Early Access isn’t new for Xbox, but PlayStation riders should set expectations: this is a work-in-progress release. Updates will land as the team iterates, which is great if transparent comms and regular drops continue—but frustrating if content stalls or performance wobbles. The good news is Third Kind Games isn’t new to big console ecosystems; the studio has co-dev pedigree on Forza Horizon 4 and Sea of Thieves, so there’s experience in building systems that actually feel good with a controller.

Matt Jones’ involvement is the headline, though. Athlete-led design can go two ways: laser-focused authenticity that elevates the feel, or tunnel vision that forgets accessibility. Based on the pitch here—skill ceiling in tricks, big open-world exploration, and structured competition—MAVRIX is trying to serve both the purists and the “I just want to shred a ridge line at sunset” crowd. Jones’ own take sums up the goal: “We’ve built something that truly feels like the freedom and creativity of real riding.” If the dual-stick system lands, that freedom could translate to actual controller finesse, not just marketing copy.

How big is 100km² really—and will it feel alive?

Open-world size is the easiest stat to flex and the fastest to backfire. A 100km² map can feel empty if trail density, challenge variety, and biome personality aren’t there. The smarter open-world bike games guide you to “just one more run” with natural lines, discoverable features, and bite-sized objectives that chain together. If MAVRIX nails that—mixing downhill, freeride, and slopestyle spots into a cohesive playground—it won’t matter how many square kilometers it is; it’ll matter how often you’re tempted to deviate from the path because you spotted a lip you just have to hit.

Price, value, and the unanswered questions

At £30, MAVRIX is priced like a meaty indie with room to grow, not a full-priced blockbuster. That’s right for Early Access. What I want to hear before day one: Will there be cross-play and cross-progression between PC, PS5, and Xbox? Are the “launch-exclusive” tricks timed, and when do they hit PC? How often are content updates planned? And what’s the plan for monetization—purely cosmetic, or will sponsors and brands bleed into paid packs? None of these are dealbreakers, but clarity now will save headaches later, especially with leaderboards and prizes in play.

If you want in on the ground floor, you can wishlist now and jump January 22 at 6pm GMT. PC riders stay in Early Access on Steam and the Epic Games Store, while consoles get their first taste with the same caveats. If the team keeps listening—Jones and Third Kind say they will—MAVRIX could become the console MTB sim to beat.

TL;DR

MAVRIX lands on PS5 (Early Access) and Xbox Series X|S (Game Preview) on January 22, 2026 for £30. You’re getting the full PC slate plus new Slopestyle features and launch-exclusive tricks, a massive open world, and legit physics. It looks like the rider-led MTB sim consoles have been missing—just go in knowing it’s still evolving and keep an eye on cross-play, update cadence, and monetization details.