Ok, first of all I would like to say that SSX is the first ever sports game that has ever managed to peak my interest and impress me. I have never snow boarded, and probably never will, but I may now know more of the tricks to be accomplished than the average snow boarder. I originally tried this game because my wife was playing it, and it actually looked like fun. So, my rubber arm was twisted and I picked up the controller and decided to give it a shot.

At first I was a little frustrated, because I had no idea how to do any tricks,was just pressing random buttons and my poor rider fell flat on their face for the first few tracks. After that, I had determined to learn how to do tricks in the Show Off mode, by examining my trick book (in the main menu, after choosing your character) and seeing what my character could do and how to do it. Boost is a definate plus in this game, some of the tricks require you to use it, during your wind up before a jump. The result? Mega Air with tricks unlike any I've seen any snow boarder or skate boarder pull off successfully.

The Controls

Triangle is your camera view button, choose a view you like and never touch it again, trust me when you keep changing your view, you wipe out way too often. The Square button is your boost, don't tap it hold it down for as long as you need or want to boost. X is your wind up before a jump button. Pressing back, will make you stop, but it really isn't necessary to do that, speed is a good thing.
All other buttons are used in combination (with the exception of start and select) with the wind up button to perform tricks. For those of you that have played the game and can't figure it out yet, hold down your X (wind up) before a jump and as you jump hit any other buttons to do a trick. Forward will do a front sommersault, back will do a back one. Your top left and right buttons perform grabs.

Characters

I believe you start with six characters, and can unlock 3 more. There are outfits you can unlock by completing tricks in the trick book of each character. You can win better boards by finishing in first, second and third in the races or show off tracks.


My only problem with this game, is that there aren't enough tracks, or riders. I have heard of a release of SSX dvd coming sometime next year for Playstation 2. Since it is dvd format rather than cd, there are going to be more tracks and more riders. I really do look forward to this release because SSX is truly one of the greatest games I have ever played, all my characters rank at superstar and I find myself wondering if I should erase my memory card of SSX game saves, just to allow myself to start all over again.


Recommended: Yes