Customer Reviews

Big SSX Snowboarding

5 star:		(207)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

It doesn't matter how many videos you download or how many screenshots you see you'll never know how much fun this is untill you play it. Starting off is the complex trick system. Unlike alot of snowboarding games it's easy for a beginer to pull off a basic trick, but it'll take months to master it. Next it has severall styles of riders who each have some strong and week points, and unlike alot of games there is a huge difference between them. The best part off the game is the levels. How many of you have bought a snowboarding game and found each level is going down a snow covered mountain with no difference but how difficult it is. My favorite level is a pinball machine. It has bumbers, switches, secret areas, and you get three tries (just like a pinnball machine. There is also one whhere you go down the streets of a city and if you want you can go on top of the building or even go through them. Another one of my favorites was your on an iceburg and as it moves towrds honolulu it melts finally landing you in beutiful hawai. All I can say is try to work this game in the ones you buy at launch. I found it was much more fun then TTT or Ridge Racer. The only game I liked more was Kessen and Maden 2001 (I'm a huge football fan.)

If you have not thought about picking up a snowboarding game for any of your game systems, EA Sports has certainly come up with an easy way to change your mind!! For those of you thinking this is just another Cool Boarders game....guess again!! SSX is simply the best Playstation 2 game at Launch time. I have not ever played a game as fun as SSX. The graphics are bright and vivid with no jagged lines. This game must run at a frame rate of 60 frames per second, as SSX runs very fast, with no pop up graphics and no slowdown.

You have a plethora of characters to choose from, each of which have different outfits and snowboards which you can select. There are so many tricks that can be performed that you will find yourself trying new stuff for a very longtime. This adds greatly to the replay value. The courses are absolutely crazy, with muliple paths (some secret paths) , and blazing speed. What could be better than sliding down an icy mountain and being able to punch the competition out of the way?!!

In conclusion, SSX wins with great graphics, sound and gameplay.

This is the game that really WOWED me at PS2 Launch time.

Highly Recommended!!

SSX reminds me of Goldeneye for the N64. Yeah, the 2 games are totally different, but the fun is not. SSX, like Goldeneye, is the type of game you can play forever. People will be playing this game right until the Playstation 3 comes out. It's easy to learn, but has amazing depth to it. It's fun and addictive. The graphics are amazing and the music is phat. From now on, if you hear about another snowboard game you'll wonder, "Is it as good as SSX?"

This is a racing game, with a few (hundred) tricks thrown in for good measure. Wanna concentrate on speed? You can win. Wanna pull of tricks? You can still win. Both styles are wonderfully matched. The tracks are amazing, with huge curved turns and shortcuts that twist and dive in all directions. There are so many things to do on these tracks, you'll be showing your friends something new every weekend for months. You don't just race down mountains, but through city streets and parks, underneath highways, inside sewers, over a desert moutain with artifical snow, through half-pipes and giant loops, inside sewers and over the tops of buses, down a frozen river, through a huge, bizarre Japanese amusement park with a giant fan that pushes you back to the top of the run. You even race down a glacier which has been towed to Hawaii - there are cruise ships watching from the side lines, and the snow melts so fast the water rushes around your feet as you shoot through a run-off ditch. There are all sorts of rails to ride, half-pipes, insane jumps, snowmachines, and even fireworks that you'll never be bored. Really. This game is that good.

The multiplayer mode is perfect - not only can you beat your buddies in a race, but you can slam it in their face by performing a 1080 backside spin or a 50/50 rail slide while they watch helplessly from 200 feet behind you. The Tokyo amusement park track has buttons which cause all sorts of obstacles to jump out at your opponents (including a huge working pinball machine).

Extras? Talk about extras! You can unlock characters, tracks, outfits, and boards, plus pump up your characters' statistic RPG-style by winning races. Increasing your stats makes a noticeable difference in the game, and some areas of the tracks are reachable until you build up your characters. There is a 50-trick book for each and every character in the game, giving you a challenge to pull of each and every one of them. Given that some of the bigger characters aren't the greatest trick-sters, doing everything in this game will take you quite a long time.

Finally, if all that wasn't enough, the music is simply the best ever in a video game. Created by Mix Master Mike (of Beastie Boys fame) the music actually mixes while you play, and responds to your performance. Lead the pack and the bass is pumping, pull of a sweet trick and the music screams. Because it is basically dance-techno beat music, it puts you into a groove and helps your game. One of the few soundtracks I never turn off.

SSX is reason enough to buy a PS2. Get it.

A great deal of praise has been heaped on this glitzy PS2 launch title, and the remarkable thing is, the game deserves just about every compliment it's received. The graphics are stunning and seem to capture the attention of anyone who passes through the room, and the sound effects, though they grow a little repetitive over time, have a crispness that synchs perfectly with the game's bright visuals and breakneck pace. The thumping techno music, though I wouldn't call it beautiful, is certainly appropriate, and actually adjusts to the pace of the game, growing both richer and louder as your speed and proficiency increase. Even the vibrating controller, which I've found both annoying and distracting in the past (it can be turned off, fortunately), is used well here, and compliments the subtlety of the analog stick.

But the truly remarkable thing about the game, the thing that has impressed me most, is that it really seems to offer something for just about everyone. If you've ever held a game controller in your hands, or sat down to watch your kids play for a while, you'll find something to enjoy here. Hardcore gamers will appreciate the unlockable characters and costumes, the vast catalog of tricks and special moves, and the complex racetracks (which are full of shortcuts and fanciful alternate routes). But casual gamers will probably have just as good a time coasting down the bright begginer tracks, enjoying the speed of the game and the gorgeous scenery.

The control scheme, in particular, highlights the breadth of SSX's appeal: basic steering feels surprisingly natural and even hesitant gamers will find themselves cutting sharp turns and landing death-defying jumps - but every button on the gamepad has a purpose, and it should take avid players a long time and a lot of practice to master the staggering array of tricks that can be performed. The game has a training mode, too, where you can build up your skills - and it doesn't take long to pick up some flashy moves, like backwards flips and spins.

All in all, though, the whole experience is greater than the sum of these parts: the game feels buoyant, fresh, and fun; and has an enthusiasm it's difficult to describe. The characters whoop for joy when they jump and land tricks, and never hesitate to rise after a fall. Indeed, though it's possible to punch and push other players, violence has been played down a great deal in this title - there's no blood, no one gets seriously hurt, and even the most spectacular wipeouts fall out to the accompaniment of goofy 'bells and whistles' sound-effects, which set a playful tone and keep things from seeming too harsh.

SSX can truly be called a `family' game. It's fast and fun to play and has enough features and modes of play (including several two-player games, I should mention) to accommodate a wide audience. The clear sounds, accessible controls, and dazzling visuals merge into the sort of `dream-come-true' experience which is the essence of virtual reality - you'll believe in this snowboarding experience, but you'll pull tricks and see sights that are the stuff of wild and wonderful fantasies.

Watch out! This game is super addictive!

I got a PS2, took it to Tahoe on Friday night and stayed up until 4:30 in the morning playing it. The next day, I got up at 7:30 to catch one of the first chairs on a great powder day. (Yes, Tahoe has the goods, even though it's only November.) As I'm riding up the lift, I'm fixated on some huge hundered foot cliffs, and all I can think is double backflip with a super tweaked grab. Of course, sanity prevails, and I take some much smaller cliffs with no grab, but I'm still amazed at how well the game actually captures free fall and the fluid feeling of carving.

I get off the slopes at 4:00, and by 4:30 I got the controller back in my hand and I play until 3:30 in the morning again. Sunday morning, I wake up at 7:30 totally exhausted, have another super day on the mountain, and hit the game again as soon as I get back. After a six more hours of gamming, I have to pry myself away from the controller to make the trip back down to San Francisco.

Now it's Monday, and I'm totally exhausted and just trying to make it through the day. But, I still can't help staring out my office window in SF and imagining caving turns through the building and pulling off phat tricks, just like in the third course.

I may be biased because I'm already addicted to skiing & boarding, but I can't imagine a better game.

Wow. There is one word that describes this game: Fun. I've been a video gamer since the Atari, Coleco Vision, and Intellivision days, and I'm struggling to think of a game that's more fun to play than SSX. I can't snowboard (not even close), and I'm not sure I even want to learn. All I want to do for the rest of my life is play this video game!

First of all, the graphics are awesome. The trails left in the snow as you carve your way along look totally real. And the little snow tail that slides off the board as you jump -- amazing!

The venues are huge, with all sorts of ramps, rails, loops, and shortcuts for you to find and use (just wait til you see the last one).

Even if you're not into the whole competition/racing thing, there's something for you. There's a "Showoff" mode where it's all about tricks. Throw some of your best moves (using almost every button the PS2 controlled has to offer) and see if you can beat the top score. There's also a "Freestyle" mode where you can just have fun exploring the tracks. Trust me, there's a lot to explore. And, if you're just beginning or just want to practice some new tricks, there's a "Warmup" mode with ramp after ramp for you to practice your jumps.

Add to this eight riders (each with 50 tricks to perform), a number of different boards, four different outfits per rider, and different rider characteristics (speed, edging, tricks, stability) and you've got a game that's not only fun to play, but deep enough to keep your interest for a long time.

There are certain games that sell a system like the way Mario 64 and Zelda (Ocarina of Time) sold the Nintendo 64. This is the game that will sell the PS2. It's by far the best game to come out for the PS2 so far. Ocarina of Time may be the best overall video game ever, but SSX is the most fun.

I must admit, I'm not really into the whole snowboarding game genre as far as video games are concerned. Until I was able to play a pre-released version of this game that is. Not only does this game look as good as any of the PS2 luanch titles, but it's oh so fun! Everything about the gameplay is amazing, from the tricks you can perform to the sense of speed you get as you're racing down the hills, and the attention to detail is top notch. It's not you're typical boring snowboarding game where you just race down mountains or slopes-have you ever snowboarded through skyscrapers in New York? This game is a good buy with your PS2 at luanch.

SSX is truly a superb game. I had read all the reviews on it, but really had no interest in buying it--I'm not into skate boarding or snowboarding, or extreme sports in general. I'm a 26 yr old female with a master's degree, and my preference in video games tends to be puzzle games and racing simulators. When I received this game as a birthday gift, I really wasn't too excited about it. However, after trying it, I've ended up spending quite a bit of time on it and have greatly enjoyed playing it! For someone who typically doesn't play this type of game (like myself), it does take a while to master the tricks, but it's not overly difficult. The graphics are absolutely stunning, and the variety of playing options (racing, show-off mode, free snowboarding mode [so you can practice things with no time limits]) really adds to the overall replay value of the game. Even if sports games aren't typically to your liking, give this one a chance--you might be pleasantly surprised!

After a brisk run down the MESABLANCA, my friend and I looked at each other and said, "this has to be one of the best games ever made"

This powerhouse title from Electronic Arts really is just that, "a powerhouse". Released at launch for the PS2, the game packs a massive punch and makes one heck of entrance as it christens EA's new "BIG" franchise of games. While most of the launch games for the PS2 are fair at best, SSX really sells the systems phat tech and power. It looks simply amazing. As you have seen from the screenshots, the tracks are HUGE, but stills DON'T do them justice. From the heavy polycout characers to the bombastic fireworks as you head into a new leg of the course to board trails cut deep into the snow, visual goodness flows from every nook and cranny of this game. All without hardly any slow-down and a viewing frustrum (cone of visible geometry) that seems to go on for miles, even in head to head mode.

This is not to say that SSX is just a bunch of mindless eyecandy with no substance. On the contrary, in world of snowboarding games, SSX catches big air and flies miles ahead of the competition. The games subtle balance of fun and challenge, control and chaos blend seamlessly to make SSX a masterpeice .

As the "BIG" stamp implies, everything here is big. The characters (a mojority of whom are locked up at the begining) are big, both in geometry and style, have all been designed and animated with great care, attitude, and larger than life appeal. The riders come equiped with a selection of boards and outfits (more of which can be unlocked as the game progresses) to compliment their own style. The soul of each rider consists four stats: Edgeing (turning), Speed, Stablity (recovery), and the all important TRICKS, each of which can be tweaked out by earning points in season play and by attaining new boards.

To keep you nashing your teeth ("who needs teeth anyway") and playing for hours, SSX comes with a great learning curve. The tracks themselve are staggered quite well, teaching you every thing you'll need to know for the next track. A warm-up track profides you with a classroom for all the basic techniques of the game. Once you feel you're ready, you can jump right into a race or hotdog it in showoff mode. In race mode you and 5 other riders fly down a course of insane obsticals, bumps, and jumps, while trying to reach the finish line first to earn stat points and unlock goodies. You square off in a series of heat quarter, semi, and finals. From cornering to tricks, every technique counts here. Tricks are of particular importance because they fill your "adrinaline boost" which gives you a burst of speed when you want it. Be careful, the real "trick" is finding the right balance of tricks vs. speed. The competition gets tougher each time around, you have to focus and be resourceful if your going to win gold. You may find acheiveing first place is tough, until you get your stats pumped up and win some new gear. This is where showoff mode comes in perfectly. Here you play against the clock and the slopes to snake big points by performing mindblowig tricks and inturn win metals. This all goes toward stat points and unlocking new characters and treats.

A single event versus mode rounds out the gameplay. You race or showoff against your friends and find out who is king of the hill. This is a non season of couse, so, sorry no stats point here.

It would be a crime to talk about SSX and not mention the aural aspects of the game. Weather its wind rushing past your ears as you catch some sick air or the announcer (Razel) telling you how lame you are for pulling that tired flip to indy grab for the third time, the effects are synced down to the nano second. As for the music, in a word its "large". Mixed by Mix Master Mike of Beatie Boys fame, these phat licks will stick with you, so don't be surprised to find your self singing "shake what your mama gave ya" in your car on the way to work, just don't try to ride the guard rail with your Pinto.

While there really isn't anything bad to say about SSX there are a few small things that were overlooked. It would have been nice to have cooperative season play, so you could race against friends and the computer, while still earning stat points. Allowing linked play with 2 or more PS2s would have been good, the split screen is a distraction. Also, the game doesn't seem to score fairly when it comes to difficult tricks in certain situations and terrain, i.e. a rail slide on a sign 60 feet in the air is scored the same as one 2 feet above the ground.

In closing, even if you've never played a snowboarding game before, SSX will appeal to a broad range of gamers. Well done EA, whats the next "BIG" thing?

Also just to easy the woes of the Amazon reviewer for this game, as to his gripe about facing the wrong way after a wipeout. If you know you're going to eat it just hit select to reset your stance, you'll loose a litte adrenaline boost but a few 180s should bring you back to full. If you reset your stance you cut recovery time in half so you can stay ahead of the pack. Just be sure that you're not pushing forward when you reset because you start a few feet above the ground and at game may think that your trying to flip which will only lead to another wipeout, "OUCH"

I've thought about this for a while now, and I believe SSX for the Playstation 2 is absolutely THE BEST video game I've ever played. Graphics-highly detailed and beautiful. Sound-entertaining. Playability-beyond awesome. Overall-totally awesome.

I didn't know what to expect when I got this game, but I was surprisingly and totally amazed when I began playing it. You first decide what game you want to play. Either Race or Showoff or Freeride. Race is where you are against other snowboarders and try to get to the finish line by any means possible. Shoving, finding shortcuts, or just plain racing better. You can "boost" yourself by performing cool tricks. The harder the tricks, the more boost you'll get. But, you have to Land it, or you're toasted. Showoff is where you do tricks in a certain amount of time. Do a 900 with an Indy Grab, tweak it, and you are golden. Or do a double back flip with a Mute (Mutation) to a Nosegrab, tweak it, you are golden. Endless possibilities. But, make sure you land it. The more complex tricks get you mega points. Or Freeride is where you can just ride to practice tricks and explore.

You can choose between 4 snowboarders (at first) that each have their own ability and few boards (at first). Boards are either Alpine, BX, or Freestyle types. The better you do at the Race and Showoff games, the more you can customize your snowboarders' abilities. Also, you can "unlock" new and better boards (or characters) once you do well at the Race and Showoff games. Sure, you can use hints and cheatcodes to unlock Everything, but that's no fun! What's fun is coming in first on a hard course, and getting two more boards, and several skill points to make that boarder even more skilled at either Speed, Tricks, Edging, and/or Stability.

I like watching skateboarders and snowboarders do tricks on the X games, but sometimes you like to learn what an Indy Grab, or a Misty Flip, or a Mutation, or a Tailgrab, or a Method, etc. are. This game's graphics are so awesome, you'll tell what the tricks in no time. What else is fun is watching the replays. You can watch a replay of yourself racing or another boarder, it's up to you. And the camera angles for the replays are superb. Oh, you can save replays and make your own movie. Bonus!

Next, the courses are totally awesome and beautiful. Detailed in every possible way. One of the courses you have to "unlock" is called Untracked where you are basically dropped from a helicopter and can explore this untracked mountain, but mostly you'll be finding awesome jumps, flips, and tricks to do. Oh, and you're stomach will drop when you jump that cliff. Another cool course is called the Tokyo Megaplex which is really colorful and fun to ride on. And they have a course in Hawaii too. Could they have thought of anything cooler? I think not! To sum up, this is the greatest game of all time. The other Amazon reviews on this game should give you a clue. Highly recommended.