Gaming Target - Game Boy: MTV Sports: Pure Ride

Written by Kevin Stapf on May 17, 2001

Review: Developers of 1080 and SSX take out your notebooks...and jot down "nothing much to worry about."

Handhelds have had to sit and watch as numerous snowboarding games have been released on the many various consoles. These games were not only fun but they have sold extremely well and it was only a matter of time before the developers brought a snowboarding game to the GBC. A few developers tried their hand at it but none of them could capture the magic that the console versions had. THQ and MTV have teamed up to see if they could succeed where the others have failed, creating a fun, entertaining snowboarding game on a handheld.

The graphics in this game leave something more to be desired; yet they aren't horrible. The characters and the ground are detailed very well, yet each character could have been better animated. Most of the tricks look very similar especially when you link a few tricks together. The levels are extremely repetitive as a few scattered trees and snowmen just seem to be repeated over and over and each level contains the same mountainous background. While the graphics themselves are average the major flaw of the graphics engine raises the question as to how these snowboarders are capable of boarding uphill. A few hills come by every once in a while but all they accomplish is causing you to lose your vision, never once does it seem like you are actually riding downhill. One ride down the half pipe and you will know that these developers have never once ridden a snowboard, especially when you are able to stop on the lip and still be able to jump another 10 feet in the air for a few more tricks.

Despite all the flaws in the graphics, the controls are very tight. You are easily able to perform one of the myriad of tricks or even link them together to create some major point grabbing combos. While the controls themselves aren't difficult, performing the tricks and getting the right timing is very challenging. Another challenging aspect of the game is timing your jumps, but once you are able to get that down and practice your moves you are ready to shred. Like the graphics, the sounds are sorely lacking. Each level there is a weak attempt to try and fit a bad rock song in with the gameplay and the sound effects aren't any better. After a few runs УdownФ the hill listening to the bad music and annoying sounds effects you will immediately turn down the sound and turn up your stereo.

The game features 2 different tours to ride and also offers a training mode to help you develop and refine your skills. After you complete the first tour the second tour opens up and is much more challenging. Trying to accomplish the almost unattainable goals left for you in each level quickly becomes frustrating and may cause you to turn off the game and once you turn this game off you may not want to turn it back on. While it provides a good challenge and a great control system the repetitiveness of this game quickly becomes boring. Though a few quick bursts of playing will leave you with an odd feeling of satisfaction I do not recommend playing this game for extended periods of time or you are likely to fall asleep.