Gaming Target - Xbox: SSX Tricky

Written by Ryan Smotherman on November 22, 2001

First Impressions: Yes, more snowboarding action for your Xbox.

The original SSX, what can you say about it? Well, for one, it's one of the newest additions to EA Sports' successful franchises. But it's different from EA's regular sports titles, such as Madden and NBA Live, in that it's part of their УBigФ sports line-up. Basically, this is EA's version of Midway's over-the-top arcade sports titles, just a little more down to earth. Plus, I actually found the game fun, unlike Midway's Blitz and Hitz series. Of course, probably the biggest complement you can give the title is that the majority of gamers considered it to be the best PS2 launch game. A little over a year later, EA Sports is bringing a sort of semi-sequel over to multiple platforms, in the form of SSX Tricky, which is set to hit our favorite console in December.

The reason I say Уsemi-sequelФ is because the game contains everything from the original (character, stages, etcЕ), but with a slew of new additions. An SSX 1.5 if you will. All six of the original boarders will be making an appearance in Tricky, with an additional brand new 6 joining in the fun. As well, the original SSX courses will be making a return in a BIG way, with a tweaked gameplay system that allows for a faster and more УextremeФ experience. But the old courses will be nothing compared to the two brand new courses, Garibaldi and Alaska, where EA is promising to take the game to the next level with УinsaneФ drops and obstacles that will almost certainly require expert-like skills.

What made the original's gameplay so great was the way the game perfectly blended the importance of the tricks with the actual racing. There is just a perfect balance of both that has yet to be matched on the console front. However, whether this be good or bad, EA seems to be focusing a lot more on the trick aspect in this version, hmmЕ maybe that's where the УTrickyФ comes into play. Each player will have a massive amount of insane tricks to pull off, ranging from the УuberФ tricks the УsuperФ tricks. To explain in more detail, the УuberФ tricks can be seen as normal, doing five of them in a single race gives you the ability to pull off the more challenging, individual super tricks, which in effect ups the players stats for the remainder of the race. Though the center of attention seems to have switched directly to the tricks, racing for the gold still plays an important role in the game. And you can still punch your way to victory. You guys just refrain from hitting the ladies, k?

In a category that seems somewhat lacking, Tricky will only contain a measly three modes of play. First is the meat and potatoes of the game, the World Circuit mode. Here is where you race players in a variety of events, eventually coming to a conclusion and beating the game. World Circuit will also act as a gate way to unlocking many extras, including new boards and courses. Next we have the УShowoffФ mode, basically you compete against fellow players by trying to pull off the sweetest moves as you try and gain more points. Last, and probably least, is Practice mode. I believe the name gives this one away. Use your imagination.

Since we're talking about the Xbox here, expect to see the visuals much improved over the PS2 version. This will include better details, smoother animations, and absolutely no jaggies. Yes, the Xbox can do anti-aliasing, and very well I might add. Draw distances should be quite impressive as well, allowing you to see an extraordinary array of background effects. Also expect a rock solid 60 fps, resulting in one intense game.

Tricky also seems to have a lot going for it sound wise. EA hired some top guns to lend their voice talents to the characters in the game. These include such BIG name actors/musicians as David Arquette, Macy Gray, Lucy Liu, Oliver Platt, Patricia Velazquez, and Billy Zane. The musical score will too contain some recognizable names. Including Mix Master Mike (Beastie Boys), Macy Gray, The Plump DJ's, and Run DMC. EA seems to have pulled out all the stops in hopes to have a huge seller on their hands, and since this will be hitting all three of the main platforms, this investment will no doubt pay off, more than likely in a BIG way too.