SSX

SSX
Developer(s)	EA Canada
Publisher(s)	JP Electronic Arts Victor NA EA Sports Big EU Electronic Arts
Series	SSX
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2
Release date(s)	JP October 26, 2000 NA October 30, 2000 EU November 24, 2000
Genre(s)	Racing Snowboarding
Mode(s)	Single-player multiplayer
Distribution	CD-ROM

SSX (short for Snowboard Supercross^[1]) is the first in the SSX series of snowboarding video games. It was developed by EA Canada and published by Electronic Arts for the PlayStation 2 in October 2000. It is the first game in EA's EA Sports Big brand, which specializes in extreme sports titles with an unrealistic or arcade feel.

SSX was both a commercial and critical success, while also receiving numerous industry awards, and was widely regarded by critics as one of the standouts of the PlayStation 2's launch library. The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences gave SSX five awards, including "Console Sports Game of The Year" and "Racing Game of The Year". The executive producer and creative leader of SSX was Steve Rechtschaffner, who was also the inventor of the now Olympic snowboard event called Boardercross, which served as the inspiration for the game.

Subsequent titles in the SSX series include, in order of release: SSX Tricky, SSX 3, SSX on Tour, SSX Blur, and a sequel/reboot released in 2012, SSX.

Gameplay

Players may choose one of a number of riders, each with their own statistics and boarding style. A course is selected, and the player is given the option of racing down the course or participating in a competition to do tricks.

Each course is filled with ramps, rails, jumps, and other assorted objects. Performing tricks fills up the player's boost meter, which can then be used for additional acceleration, making tricks important even in a race. While some tricks do have origins in snowboarding, many of the more advanced tricks are not realistic to actual physics. This matters little in games of this style, as the larger and more extreme tricks count for the most points and are the most spectacular to execute. Players also have the option of practicing or exploring courses in "freeride" mode.

There are eight characters, with four available at the start. They are Mac, Elise, Moby, Kaori, Zoe, JP, Jurgen and Hiro.

Reception

The game received universal acclaim from critics, many of whom described it as the best launch title for the PlayStation 2. The game has a score of 91.14% on GameRankings,^[2] and 93/100 on Metacritic.^[3]

GameSpot gave the game a score of 9.4 out of 10, praising its smooth graphics and direct controls, while also drawing attention to the game's dynamic soundtrack, which adjusts the intensity of the background music based on the player's current performance.^[5] IGN's 9.3 out of 10 review drew attention to the game's deft balancing of tricks and racing, asserting that a mastery of both is a requirement of success in the game. It also mentions the game's tracks as a strong point, calling the Tokyo Megaplex level "a festival of lights, color and one of the most ingeniously designed levels that have ever been in a game."^[6] Both reviews noted the presence of some graphical slowdown, but also stated that it was a rare occurrence and only a minor issue. GameCritics.com cites the scope of the game's tracks as a strength, but points out that there is little revolutionary in the game's overall premise of snowboard races. The 'pre-wind' jump system is also criticised, in that to ensure a good jump, the player must sacrifice the ability to steer long before they reach the ramp. However, it does praise the simplicity of the trick system itself, and calls the game "an all-around solid title" overall.^[7]

References