SSX Blur

"SSX + Wii Controls = One awesome addition to the franchise."

SSX has always been about going fast, getting big air and doing insane tricks and combos. Blur is no exception. But what sets it apart from the rest of the franchise? Wii controls. It's a little hard to get used to at first, and a little awkward, but after a couple hours it'll feel so nice, and so right for the franchise.

Controls: 9/10
This is of course the most important part of the game this time. It may feel hard and weird to control at first, but once you get good at it, it is an amazing experience. Here are the basic controls done by moving the Remote and Nunchuck. To turn you tilt the nunchuck either left, or right, and tilt the control stick in that direction as well. To do flips you hit A and point the Remote up, down, left or right. To do grabs you hold Z and tilt the nunchuck up, down, left or right. It may sound hard at first, but it is indeed very smooth, and easy to do once you get skilled. However Uber tricks are very hard to do. You hold A, then draw one of 12 designs and release. It is very hard to do, and almost never works. But when it does it is great.

Gameplay: 9/10
The gameplay hasn't changed much you still go down a three peeked mountain at high speeds, getting insane air, and pulling off tricks to do points. It's all done with the remote and nunchuck this time, and it is an amazing improvement to the series. There are still Races, Slope Style, Big Air, Halfpipe, and Slalom competitions, as well as 10 tournaments, 11 Head to head challenges, and other challenges, like throw 10 snowballs at the target, or grind 450 meters in the time limit. Slalom is the hardest competition. Having to make very sharp turns in very small spaces. It feels like you could get a faster time if you jumped off the board and ran it to be honest. But like the controls themselves, it takes getting used to, but becomes very easy when you master it.

Music: 7/10
Unlike past games that had rock and punk songs, all the music is electronic. It is kind of disappointing at first, but after a while you get used to it. Of course you can always turn down the volume and listen to your own music.

Graphics: 6/10

Graphics are not exactly what this game was made for. They seem very last gen, and look very poor in some spots. But it does look better than any other SSX game, all the areas are from 3 and 4 and have been completely reskinned. It still looks ok, they are definitely not the best they could be.

Buy or rent?
You would definitely want to rent this game before making your final decision. It is an amazing game, but if the controls aren't your thing you shouldn't have to spend your money on something you won't enjoy.

Overall:
It is an overall great game, great controls, good gameplay like always it is a great addition to anyone's Wii library, and is a different approach from the other games in the franchise, and is done amazingly well.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 07/02/07