If last winter’s tepid MX vs. ATV Reflex lulled you to sleep, Nail’d will snap you back to attention like a tire to the skull following a mile-long drop through jagged rock structures. And that’s just one of many outrageous and intense scenarios found in this thrill-a-second racer, which pits ATVs and MTX bikes against each other through a series of absurd, dream-like tracks that laugh in the face of silly things like gravity and realism.

Each of the 14 tracks is loaded with unbelievable moments, whether it’s weaving around hot-air balloons, bounding between helicopter-suspended platforms, or following a path that takes you briefly up the side of a mountain before barreling headfirst toward the ground below. And Nail’d does it all ridiculously fast — its sense of speed never lets up, whether you’re guiding your MTX bike through flaming hoops or avoiding massive wind-turbine blades on an ATV.

In many ways, Techland’s over-the-top racer feels like the ideal amalgamation of Pure and Split/Second, delivering an insanely fast and wildly fun core breakneck experience that consistently thrills even after dozens of races. But that speed and over-the-top aesthetic come at the cost of precision, and Nail’d lacks the polish of those other racing gems.

Inconsistent physics and environmental reactions provide the biggest concern: how come we can drive up and past a giant buzz saw, but landing at an awkward angle after a massive drop gets us stuck for a few seconds? We also noted a couple occasions where we automatically respawned in the air despite a clear landing trajectory, or hit some unseen obstacle that forced a crash.

While frustrating — especially during tight races and timed solo jaunts — these haphazard moments are rare and generally shrugged off in the face of just how fluid and enjoyable the overall racing experience is in Nail’d. With a long-lasting (but slightly padded) Tournament career mode and enticing 12-player online battles, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy, plus the free launch DLC adds even more content to the mix. Nail’d may lack the polish of our favorite off-road racer, Pure, but thankfully, its thrills still trump its flaws. Well, most of the time.

On Xbox 360

+ Insane track designs deliver incredible moments.

+ Fantastic sense of speed with plenty to play (and free DLC).

- Inconsistent physics and reactions trample on the fun.

? Do real off-road racers spend much time in airplane graveyards?

7.5