SSX 3

"Better than even Tony Hawk"

Games based on extreme sports usually follow the Tony Hawk style of gameplay. So I really liked it when I picked up this game and found non-hawk controls, non-hawk trick contests and non-hawk one player mode. And, somehow, amazingly, this game is better than any Tony Hawk game. No, I am not crazy, yes, THUG was a disappointment, but I mean ANY Tony Hawk game. And I loved THPS4. As a matter of fact, where I to write a review for it (which I wont be doing) I'd give it a 9 (I never give 10s, unless it actually is perfect). So, why not stop the whole introduction and get to the meat of this.

First off, I was wowed by the graphics, and that never happens on the Gamecube. The last time I was wowed like this was with Resident Evil. The sprays of snow, the snowfalls, the, well, snow. It's so awesome it may be the best snow ever in any video game. Sure, there are those faults, like annoying slowdowns that happen a little too often (due to such awesome graphics, I would guess) and rails are choppy on turns, but those things are minor and don't count for much. 9/10.

The sound is basic extreme sport fare (unfortunately, 'It's Tricky' by Run DMC isn't here, but hey, at least we get more than one song. We actually get close to 30 songs I think). And all music is played on 'EA Big Radio' complete with it's own DJ who, while not playing music, is talking about whichever character you chose to play one play mode with. It's a cool little feature. 8/10.

Gameplay, oh sweet gameplay. How many other control set-ups can you think of for extreme sport games other than the one used by Tony Hawk style games? That's right, none. So imagine how hard is must've been to come up with the SSX formula, and it even works. I though SSX was more about races at first, but after I got my hands on the controls and tried a few tricks, I only entered the Freestyle modes and skipped the race modes all together (I did go back and complete the races after I played through doing the Freestyle mode). It offers 3 main options to you - A session where you pick any area your completed and just ride there to beat your own record, a mode where it's single player and you try to get farther and beat the game, and multyplayer. Unfortunately, our faithful Gamecube does NOT get online play (but then, what does for Gamecube?) but we do get a cool GBA hook-up thing that I haven't tried out because I don't have SSX 3 for GBA. It's probably pretty sweet, though. OH yeah, there's also 3 modes in Single Player mode. There's a racing mode, a freestyle (trick) mode and a free ride mode (where you simply ride down the mountain area without restrictions like time and simply collect cash or take mini-challenges). Great gameplay, and the game's probably the longest extreme sports game I've played. And it's cool to dress up your character (you can buy new boards and clothing with the cash you get). 10/10.

All extreme sport games have replay value. I mean, come on, they're extreme sport games. They last forever, and never get old. Plus, SSX 3 is fresh, with different control and pretty different style. It's a refreshing twist on the genre, and it works. Without a doubt 10/10.

Closing comments - awesome, simply put. Graphics rule, sound is great, control is non-Tony Hawk and works, and since it's of the extreme sport genre, it lasts forever. What more could you ask for?

Verdict - Any extreme sport fan should have this by now. If you hate extreme sport games, this may appeal to you because of the easier control set-up. This pretty much deserves to be on your shelf right now. And if it isn't, get it there. In other words, buy it. Oh, but if you have a PS2, buy that version. It happens to have online play. The overall score is 9/10. Awesome game.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 12/09/03