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Xbox | Sports | SSX Tricky

Boxart for SSX Tricky
SSX Tricky 27 screen shots
  • GRAPHICS: 4.5
  • SOUND: 4.0
  • CONTROL: 4.0
  • FUN FACTOR 4.5
  • AVG USER SCORE 4.5
  • AVG CRITIC SCORE 4.5
Winner of the GamePro Editor's Choice Award

Review: SSX Tricky

Review by TOKYODRIFTER | 01/11/2002 | 16:45:51 PM PST

Get ready to hear "Awwwwwww yeeeah baaaaby!" for the third time. Xbox fans can now get in on some Tricky snowboarding action.

The Xbox version of SSX Tricky may be the last out of the gate, but it gets a few extra bells and whistles for the delay.

A New Coat of Snow
SSX Tricky is the poster child of extreme snowboarding and has spread it?s love across the PlayStation 2 and GameCube. For it is Xbox debut, EA Sports Big has put some extra shine on the graphics, which is the most natural upgrade for games getting "X"-changed over platforms. The basic character models haven?t changed, but their clothes certainly have a greater level of detail. The same is true for the environments, which look better the closer you get to them. In fact, the overall picture is just plain sharper, making every little touch that much more noticeable. It?s not all good news as some of the new effects, like enhanced shadows, look forced and unpleasant?and were simply added because the Xbox could handle them. Microsoft?s machine should have also guaranteed a smoother ride, but the frame rate problem that plagued all previous versions is still here.

Controls are also a bit problematic as you are forced to use button combinations that will twist your fingers into knots, thanks to the lack of four shoulder buttons. It takes some getting used to, but even after days of playing, it?s still way too easy to mix up those Black and White buttons with the Y and B buttons?although it unexpectedly makes pulling off complex trick combos slightly easier.

SSXbox
Everything else about Tricky is exactly the same as its cousins, including the extra DVD behind-the-scenes featurettes, over-the-top Uber tricks, as the number of tracks, characters, and gameplay modes. The audio is great fun with groovy tunes provided by Mix Master Mike, Aphrodite, and The Plump DJs. Plus, the much-hyped celebrity voice cast includes the likes of Oliver Platt, Lucy Lui, and David Arquette. However, the vocals get old very quickly, and it?s just a shame Tricky doesn?t support the customizable music options of the Xbox.

SSX Tricky on the Xbox is certainly the best-looking of its siblings, but there?s not enough difference to warrant an extra purchase if you already have the PS2 or GameCube versions. Still, owners of Bill Gate?s gaming heavyweight console are sure to find a ton of fun in SSX Tricky, a truly solid entertainment package with a wide variety of characters, cool gameplay, and a host of visual and audio candy.


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