Splashdown

Wave Race 64 showed that jetskiing could make for awesome racing action, and at long last, a worthy successor has arrived.

Like all extreme-sports games these days, Splashdown involves plenty of trick-busting madness, but its clever approach means you have to both race smartly and strut your stuff. Successful stunts gradually fill a performance meter than affects your speed and acceleration, so to compete with the pack, you have to be part Jeff Gordon, part Tony Hawk?it?s definitely an exciting fusion.

But don?t think Splashdown?s a fluffy game?crafty A.I. means the pack runs a tough, smart race, and even experienced gamers should expect tough, demanding races. The game?s 18 tracks offer plenty of cool scenery and wild jumps as you tackle standard single races, two-player split-screen heats, or the absorbing Career mode.

Well-tuned controls make the action easy to dive into, but provide plenty of long-term depth for pros to master. The action has a floaty feel that players of ATV Offroad Fury, Rainbow?s first PS2 game, will instantly recognize. It feels a little weird at first, but only until you get used to it.

Don?t let Splashdown?s minor flaws dissuade you from taking this slick racer for a spin. As long as you don?t mind a slightly more technical feel and a hefty challenge, you?ll find the best thing to happen with jetskis since the N64?s Wave Race.

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