Xtreme Sports

"California Games with a Plot"

The word ''extreme'' has become a marketing tool as of late, and the makers if Xtreme Sports know it just as well. Xtreme Sports takes five extreme sports and turns them into fun minigame style events like California Games, and combines them with Mario 64 style level advancement. Thrown in for flavor is a plot of sorts involving Xtreme Cola corporation promoting their brand by holding an island paradise compitetion (I told you the makers thought extreme was overmarketed). Your goal as either Guppi or Finn is to meet up with the other, and win the island contest. However, a mystery lies as well on the island, centering around the Bonehead Gang. The game has an anime flair to its characters, and the plot vaguely parallels pokemon, but thats all forgotten when you're mastering the third Rollerblading map. On to the ratings!

Graphics (10/10)

The graphics are really great. The anime approach helps show off the Gameboy Color's palletes, and the action is smooth. The character animation is also fluid, and their design is definately attractive(look at the game and you'll see).

Sound (9/10)

Factor 5's MusyX GBC shows off how easily quality music and effects can be done SIMULTANIOUSLY, without hitting game performance. The music is light and happy the majority of the time, which goes along with the tropical theme, and the bonehead gang's theme is appropriately dark and melodramatic. The only downside is that some, actually most people may find the point scoring sound repititve and annoying.

Gameplay (10/10)
At heart, this game is a California games knock off. Only better. You'll find better events, longer courses, and more solid mechanics here. Plus, each event has multiple maps. And to shake it all up, theres an overhead map mode that resembles pokemon slightly, as you go around hunting for medals and challenging opponents for their medals. Whats most important though, is that while the game is in the Sports genre, it does not try to imitate the sports themselves, but uses them as themes to veil the mechanics in the game, much akin to Punchout!!. For example, the Skyboarding event uses a combo system. The trick is that more you put waiting or exectuing the stunt the less likely you are to pull it off, but you get more points for higher combos, obvoiusly. The mechanics, level mastery curves and themes go to make this one heck of a fun game.

Control (9/10)
Before you are allowed to compete for medals, you are required to defeat five trainers in their respective events. The levels ensure basic mastery of the controls, and the signs next to the trainers tell you the basic controls. Where the game slightly faulters is that some of the more advanced techniques are near impossible to learn, let alone master. This should be expected in any game, however, mastery of controls should make the game easier, rather than being required. There are points where if you don't know how to double jump on command you won't win. But theres enough variety in the events that everyone should find one they enjoy and can master, in addition to one that is their bane of existance.

Replay Value (8/10)
This game is fun. You'll be playing the practice levels afterwards because its that fun. The only real thing missing is a two player mode, where you and another person compare scores for medals or something.

Overall - 10 This game is great and addicting. The only downsides are that the game is one player and that the game drains batteries quickly thanks to MusyX.

Rent/Buy/Avoid - Rent it, see if you like it, but dont expect to beat it in the rental period.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/19/00, Updated 07/19/00