Gaming Target - GameCube: SSX Tricky

Written by Matt Swider on June 08, 2001

First Impressions: EA Big Air gives GameCube some S-E-XЕerrЕS-S-X.

With few outstanding titles accompanying the launch of Sony's Playstation 2 last October; Electronic Art's SSX took the PS2 market by storm, receiving high marks in both the minds the gamers and the eye of critics all around. Since then, Electronic Arts has been hard at work on a revamped version, entitled SSX Tricky, which will not only release for the Playstation 2, but also Nintendo GameCube. Yes, along with EA confirming support for the upcoming system, Nintendo gamers will have a chance to see the SSX series as well as the company's renowned Madden franchise on GameCube. Although many have already gotten the chance to play through the previous version of SSX on PS2, it is still worth checking out the advancements and new features of the overhauled GameCube edition.

The name of the game has meaning in the new enhancements, as EA has created a more extreme snowboarding trick system from the already radical structure of their previous efforts. The developer, EA Sports Big, a Canadian division of Electronic Arts, has added more chance for gamers to get Уbig air,Ф performing more or less, impossible tricks and moves that are just unfeasible in reality, even for the professionals. That's what made the game addicting to begin with, and as EA takes it further to that direction, with greater impractical measures, we can expect the trick system to be the part of the game that receives a tremendous amount of praise.

Six new characters will be included as the storyline progresses one year later, and another round of that SSX World Circuit has begun. You can play through the game's two additional courses, along with the modified tracks that seem to have changed by almost half from their previous layout, with new shortcuts and altered areas throughout.

As far as graphics go, no true screens from the GameCube version have surfaced just yet, however, we'll be seeing it running on NGC soon enough. EA is planning an event next month on July 25th in California, to show off both Madden 2002 and SSX Tricky for GameCube. Until then, we can assume that the visuals of the Cube version will be something greater than what the PS2 version can offer with better frame rates and graphics.

From the sound end of SSX Tricky, you will have many of the tunes to listen along to with your Dolby surround sound as we catch some of that big air, ranging from a good deal of original SSX music, to new tracks and mixes coming from Mix Master Mike of the Beastie Boys, Aphrodite, The Plump DJ's and additional others as development rolls on.