Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer

"Slater better than Skater? Possibly."

To start off, I'd like all of you to call me crazy. I think Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer (KSPS) is better than THPS and THPS2, and maybe, just maybe, THPS3. There really is something here - Great, Tony Hawk inspired Gameplay, the same Tony Hawk controls, over 30 levels, many surfers, more videos than even Tony Hawk games' (except maybe THPS3) and remains incredibly fun regardless the Tony Hawk relations. Part of that is because this is surfing, not skating. But lets get into details on why you should get this game.

First of all, the tutorial in the game is better than THPS3's. It's like the perfect tutorial - I had the hang of the game in seconds. And then, I was off to my first beach. The graphics are real good, the beach looks awesome with sunsets and all, the water isn't Mario Sunshine good, but good enough to accept, and the surfers look like the real deal.

And then I heard a blast of terrible sound. OK, so it fits surfing. The big problem is, even surfers will likely hate this terrible, soothing music that is such an irritation. I turned it off immediately.

The Gameplay itself, it's Tony Hawk on the waves. And Tony fan, with a few adjustments, can plat this game greatly and with ease. It's easy until a little after Antarctica, where you finally see your challenge. And that's where the real fun kicks in. Plus, unlike other games, I didn't have to play the **** out of a goal to finish it, even when it was hard. It took me four or five fun attempts, nothing longer, but long enough for it to seem like you actually did something real good (seeing as most other goals before this point take maybe one try to do).

Ah, the controls. As mentioned earlier, they are pretty much Tony Hawk with some additions (like pressing Y to stand up on your surfboard). If you've never played a Tony Hawk game, well, trust me, the controls rock.

OK then, what haven't I discussed... Oh yes, the many features. This game packs some fun two player modes that I only wish turned out to be online. That would have truly been awesome. It also has the Free Surf and Career Mode of Tony Hawk games (except for the new Underground game, which packs a story mode). If they sequel this game, there really isn't much to add that hasn't been done - add a Create a Trick, Create a Board, Create a Goal, Create a Beach, better music and your set (Ha, did I say not much? I meant not much for the basic game itself)

I would give this game a 10 if it weren't for the bad music and slight disappointment in certain areas of the graphics (the water, the occasional blurs) but this remains an excellent game. 9/10 for sure, pick it up now.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/05/03