Shredding Up the Screen: SSX3

By Jonathan Berohn

You know something has hit the big-time when one of the major networks airs it live. That happened to the Winter Xgames this year on ABC. For those of you who don't have pink spiked hair or a lip ring, the Winter Xgames features non-traditional extreme sports like motorcycle aerials on snow, freestyle skiing, and-the king of the Winter Xgames-snowboarding.

I'm sure it will come as no shock to you that this event is popular primarily with the younger set. It will probably also come as no shock that there is a video game that ties right into the extreme snowboarding craze. Electronic Arts first put our SSX in 2000. Now-to get the most marketing bang for their buck-EA Big offers SSX3 for all the half-pipe hero wannabes out there.

If you are familiar with video games, you know that EA Sports usually sets the standard for sports games (if you watch TV at all you've surely seen their "it's in the game" commercials). EA Big can now safely be said to continue that tradition with SSX3. Widely acclaimed by gaming magazines, SSX3 delivers about as many snowboarding thrills as you can get without dropping in yourself (OK-I'll stop with the lingo before I embarrass my kids further).

In SSX3, you build up your character through various speed, trick, or maneuverability challenges, and earn prize money by beating the computer in races along the way. Once you have earned some skill points and bought some custom boards and outfits, you're ready for some head to head competition. This can range from the standard multiplayer mode to online events-depending upon which game system you have. Here, by the way, is my one and only criticism of EA-they only build online play for their PlayStation titles. That's great for Sony, obviously, but not so great for anyone else.

Anyway, despite this shortcoming, SSX3 is a great game and well worth purchasing if you like sports games, snowboarding, or racing of any sort. The graphics are top notch, and the game play, despite being challenging, is easy enough for my 5 year-old to throw down with the best of them (OK-sorry, but no more-really).