WINTER is a very dull time for fans of motorcycle racing.

The only things to look forward to are DVD season reviews in our Christmas stockings with the hope of once again seeing some two-wheel action.

So the release of TT Superbikes Legends is a timely one and will certainly help pass the time until the likes of John McGuinness, Guy Martin, Cameron Donald and the rest are back to entertain us once again.

I must admit I was a bit surprised to see Jester Interactive bring this out so soon as it is the second TT Superbikes game this year.

I was still trying to master one or two of the tracks on the previous game, TT Superbikes Real Road Racing Championship, when I first heard about its impending release.

While that game, the second in the series, saw the addition of new tracks to conquer, TT Superbikes Legends does not take the franchise any further.

In fact it could be seen as very much a niche product for dedicated TT fans.However, that does not mean to say it isn't worth getting – in fact as a TT nerd (or enthusiast depending on which way you look at it!), I am sure this will have as much longevity for me as the previous releases.

TT Superbikes Legends' selling point is the fact it features a great mixture of riders and bikes from years gone-by.

However, Jester once again haven't made things easy. You have to unlock the many great names featured – which include Joey Dunlop, Mike Hailwood, Mick Grant, Steve Hislop, Carl Fogarty, Geoff Duke and David Jefferies – so knowledge of the courses is a massive bonus.

Anyone who hasn't played TT Superbikes before may find it a tough challenge indeed.

You need patience and time and there will be those fans who will be counting down the minutes until they receive the cheats to open up all the game.

All the different bikes are available in race now mode but you will not get the original colours and riders until you unlock them.

My perseverance soon paid off though, and pretty soon nine-times TT winner David Jefferies aboard his TAS Suzuki was the first rider I managed to unlock.

This was somehow fitting – the late, great DJ helped out Jester on the original game but was killed at TT 2003 before it was finished.

Legends marks DJ's first appearance in this series and he features twice – you can also unlock his 1999 V&M Yamaha.

In terms of gameplay, Legends is virtually identical to the previous releases, but there are no sidecars on this and the Macau track is not featured.

But the price is very good – at £15 it is great value for money considering the TT, Ulster Grand Prix, Oliver's Mount, Aberdare and North West 200 courses are recreated in detail.

The next logical step is to put the TT course on the PlayStation3. And while moving the game to that format would have a number of benefits, we should not lose sight of the hard work Jester have put in on the PlayStation2 format and the fact all three games are great adverts for the Isle of Man and road racing in general.

They have done the TT and the riders that have tackled the course over the years proud.