Splashdown

"Not quite Wave Race for ps2, or a Jet Moto replacement, but still a solid game."

When I first saw this game in action, I was extremely impressed. Being such a big fan of the Motocross Madness games, and of ATV Offroad Fury, I expected another AAA game from Atari. I didn't exactly get what I was hoping for.

Presentation: The opening intro starts out great, then the song starts crackling. I dont understand how the heck Aatari didnt catch that and take it out. Also, the ending video after you beat world circuit is kind of dumb.

Career mode: You have 12 races, and you have to finish the circuit with more points than everyone else. This can get annoying, because you have to qualify before every race, and qualifications take just as long as the actual race. After ever 3 or 4 racers, you can do a challenge round where you go 1 on 1 with a character. If you beat them, you unlock them.

Controls: Hard at first, but you get used to them. There is an excellent tutorial mode that will answer all your questions. There is strategy involved such as keeping the front end of your jetski out of the water, submarining at the landing of your jumps, staying on the correct side of the booies, and alternating tricks correctly to keep your performance meter maxed out. The controls have to be one of the best aspects of Splashdown.

Value: This is where Splashdown really suffers. There are only 12 tracks, which aren't that big, and there are absolutely no unlockables, except extra useless riders. Also, having to qualify for each race in carrer mode will discourage you from playing career mode. Unless you really like jetski racers, you may want to just rent this one.

Sound: A matter of opinion. I personally cant stand SR-71, Blink 182, the backstreet boys, or Sum 41, so I hate the tracks. The sound effects are average.

Graphics: Excellent backgrounds and rider models. High poly count, minimal jagies, but extremely horrible looking water.

Innovations: First jetski racer with a trick system. Unfortunately, there are a whopping 12 tricks, and there are all from Motocross Madness 2.

Conclusion: The courses are extremely bland, unlike Wave Race and especially unlike the Jet Moto games. Splashdown focuses more on strategy and tactics, but once you have those down, Splashdown will start collecting a thick layer of dust. If you like jetski games, and can find splashdown cheap, then get it. Otherwise, just wait for Jet X20.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 09/01/02, Updated 09/01/02