SSX on Tour

SSX on Tour
Developer(s) EA Canada
EA Montreal (PSP)
Publisher(s) EA Sports BIG
Platform(s) GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, PlayStation Portable
Release
  • NA: October 11, 2005
  • EU: October 21, 2005
  • EU: October 28, 2005 (PSP)
  • JP: November 17, 2005 (GC)
  • JP: November 24, 2005 (PS2, PSP)
Genre(s) Racing
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

SSX on Tour is a snowboarding and skiing game, the fourth title in the SSX series of video games for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox and PlayStation Portable. The game was developed under the working title SSX 4. It was released in North America on October 11, 2005, in the PAL region on October 21, 2005 and in Japan in November 2005. The PlayStation Portable version was released in the Europe on October 28, 2005. Unlike its predecessor SSX 3, On Tour isn't currently compatible with the Xbox 360. In 2007, a sequel titled SSX Blur was released. The GameCube version contains Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach as playable characters. This was part of a deal Nintendo had with EA Sports to have Nintendo's intellectual properties appear in EA franchises.[1][2]

Gameplay

The gameplay in SSX on Tour is similar to that in SSX 3, with similar controls and the overall aims of events remaining the same - snowboard down a mountain while gaining points for various tricks that can be performed. After each trick, a player's "boost bar" builds up, and once full enables a player to perform special moves - known as "Monster Tricks" now, previously known as "Über tricks". Despite the similarities, numerous changes were made to the structure of races and events themselves. Players can now create their own characters, selecting his/her symbol, makeup, height, clothes and hair, in addition to whether they are a snowboarder or a skier (skiing being a new feature in the game). Once created, their 'boarder can compete in official competitions (known as "Events"), or unofficial challenges known as "Shreds". Each completed event or challenge gains their character "Hype", raising their profile and moving them up the SSX charts, with the ultimate goal of reaching number one.

With the focus now on custom-created characters, the original SSX cast is moved into the background slightly, appearing in various Shreds against the player, and available to play as when not on the Tour itself. In addition to seven returning SSX veterans (Elise, Mac, Kaori, Zoe, Psymon, Nate and Allegra), three new characters make an appearance: Tyson, Sid and Skye. In the Nintendo Gamecube version three Super Mario Bros. characters were featured. (Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach) There is also a slope called "Nintendo Village" which was a hill that went past buildings and other properties. Some icons from the Super Mario Bros. series appeared. (Super mushrooms, super stars, etc.) Unlike its predecessor, SSX3, no online play was included on any of the versions of SSX On Tour. The main focus was on improving the single-player storyline mode, implementing the character-creation system, the selection of new tracks, and the addition of skiing as well as snowboarding.

The PSP version also differs greatly from the main console versions, with limited customization to custom-characters and levels borrowed from SSX 3. It also has omitted the use of bonuses on the special "Monster Tricks".

This game is presented in the style of a sketch-book, a new direction for the SSX series. The cover artwork as well as the in-game menus are all shown in sketch formats, simplistic images often on a lined background. The special in game collectibles, displayed as snowflakes in previous SSX games, have been replaced with sketchlike doodles known as "skulvis", continuing the theme.

Soundtrack

One of the most notable features of every game in the SSX series has been the soundtracks used, usually featuring prominently in the games. Like SSX Tricky and SSX 3, SSX on Tour features a licensed soundtrack, including rap, punk, rock and alternative music styles. The prominence of punk and rock is a departure from the more techno-heavy soundtracks of previous games in the series.

The soundtrack is integrated with the game rather than used as a background to it. Tracks used on the menu screens play only as instrumental versions of the ones used during races. In addition, when performing "Monster Tricks" during an event, the music will fade away, to be replaced with the sound of the wind whistling by as the player cuts through the air. Upon hitting the ground again, the music cuts back in, enhancing the sensations of the game. The main song used in the intro is Iron Maiden's Run to the Hills.[3]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
GCPS2PSPXbox
EGM8.33/10[4]8.33/10[4]7.5/10[5]8.33/10[4]
EurogamerN/A8/10[6]N/AN/A
Famitsu33/40[7]
(C+A) 31/40[7]		33/40[7]31/40[7]N/A
Game InformerN/A8/10[8]7.75/10[9]8/10[8]
GamePro[10][10]N/A[10]
Game RevolutionB[11]B[11]N/AB[11]
GameSpot8.6/10[12]8.7/10[13]8.4/10[14]8.7/10[13]
GameSpy[15][16][17][18]
GameTrailers7.7/10[19]7.7/10[19]N/A7.7/10[19]
GameZone9/10[20]8.9/10[21]8.5/10[22]8.9/10[23]
IGN8.8/10[24]8.8/10[24]8.4/10[25]8.8/10[24]
Nintendo Power8/10[26]N/AN/AN/A
OPM (US)N/A[27][28]N/A
OXM (US)N/AN/AN/A8/10[29]
Detroit Free PressN/A[30]N/AN/A
Aggregate score
Metacritic80/100[31]80/100[32]79/100[33]81/100[34]

The game received "favorable" reviews on all platforms according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[31][32][33][34] In Japan, Famitsu gave the GameCube and PS2 versions a score of one nine and three eights, bringing it to a total of 33 out of 40;[7] for the PSP version, the same magazine gave it a score of three eights and one seven, while Famitsu Cube + Advance also gave the GameCube version three eights and one seven, both for a total of 31 out of 40.[7]

Awards and nominations

Awards

Nominations

References

  1. ↑ Torres, Ricardo (August 26, 2005). "SSX On Tour Character Spotlight: Mario, Luigi, and Peach". GameSpot. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  2. ↑ Castro, Juan (August 26, 2005). "Mario Joins SSX On Tour". IGN. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  3. ↑ Surette, Tim (September 12, 2005). "EA Tracks SSX on Tour". GameSpot. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 EGM staff (December 2005). "SSX On Tour (GC, PS2, Xbox)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (198).
  5. ↑ EGM staff (December 2005). "SSX On Tour (PSP)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (198): 174.
  6. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (October 20, 2005). "SSX On Tour (PS2)". Eurogamer. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Gantayat, Anoop (November 28, 2005). "Now Playing in Japan". IGN. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  8. 1 2 Reiner, Andrew (November 2005). "SSX On Tour (PS2, Xbox)". Game Informer (151): 140. Archived from the original on February 18, 2006. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  9. ↑ Helgeson, Matt (December 2005). "SSX On Tour (PSP)". Game Informer (152): 190. Archived from the original on June 22, 2008. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  10. 1 2 3 Johnny K (October 24, 2005). "SSX On Tour (GC, PS2, Xbox)". GamePro. Archived from the original on November 24, 2005. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 Gee, Brian (October 26, 2005). "SSX On Tour Review (GC, PS2, Xbox)". Game Revolution. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  12. ↑ Davis, Ryan (October 11, 2005). "SSX On Tour Review (GC)". GameSpot. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  13. 1 2 Davis, Ryan (October 11, 2005). "SSX On Tour Review (PS2, Xbox)". GameSpot. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  14. ↑ Ekberg, Brian (October 17, 2005). "SSX On Tour Review (PSP)". GameSpot. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  15. ↑ Tuttle, Will (October 14, 2005). "GameSpy: SSX On Tour (GCN)". GameSpy. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  16. ↑ Tuttle, Will (October 14, 2005). "GameSpy: SSX On Tour (PS2)". GameSpy. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  17. ↑ McGarvey, Sterling (October 27, 2005). "GameSpy: SSX on Tour (PSP)". GameSpy. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  18. ↑ Tuttle, Will (October 14, 2005). "GameSpy: SSX On Tour (Xbox)". GameSpy. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  19. 1 2 3 "SSX: On Tour Review (GC, PS2, Xbox)". GameTrailers. October 29, 2005. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  20. ↑ Bedigian, Louis (October 20, 2005). "SSX On Tour - GC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on January 25, 2009. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  21. ↑ Knutson, Michael (October 17, 2005). "SSX On Tour - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on January 25, 2009. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  22. ↑ McIntyre, Nathan "Eint" (November 8, 2005). "SSX On Tour - PSP - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on December 31, 2008. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  23. ↑ Romano, Natalie (October 30, 2005). "SSX On Tour - XB - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on January 16, 2009. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  24. 1 2 3 Clayman, David (October 10, 2005). "SSX On Tour (GCN, PS2, Xbox)". IGN. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  25. ↑ Clayman, David (October 10, 2005). "SSX On Tour (PSP)". IGN. Archived from the original on March 18, 2007. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  26. ↑ "SSX on Tour". Nintendo Power. 198: 111. December 2005.
  27. ↑ "SSX On Tour (PS2)". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine: 114. December 2005. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  28. ↑ Pfister, Andrew (February 2006). "SSX On Tour (PSP)". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  29. ↑ "SSX on Tour". Official Xbox Magazine: 118. December 2005.
  30. ↑ Schaefer, Jim (October 23, 2005). "BAREBONES, BUT A BLAST". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  31. 1 2 "SSX On Tour for GameCube Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  32. 1 2 "SSX On Tour for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  33. 1 2 "SSX On Tour for PSP Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  34. 1 2 "SSX On Tour for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
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