Lawrence.com

The SSX series started by making what would have been a disastrous PS2 launch passable. The smooth and fun snowboarding mechanics revived much of the invigoration many felt when plugging in 1080 for the Nintendo 64 for the first time. Since that time, the series has seen a handful of variations and improvements, further refining the solid gameplay. SSX On Tour doesn't play that different from the previous version, and the overhauled presentation can only cover that reality for awhile.

One of the obvious new additions in On Tour is that you can ditch your snowboard for a pair of skis. And while it may seem at first that the gameplay may be different, the change is merely aesthetic, like choosing a different skin for your multiplayer character in UT and seeing different animations. What's even more, the raw hop/rock-focused, pencil-on-notebook-paper doodling presentation infects every pore of the videos, menus and subfolders really making you think you're in for something different.

You can now create your own alter ego, dressing him up as you please. The options don't go anywhere near the depth we're used to in other EA titles. The main idea is to enter into challenge after challenge to win and become the rock star the new art style would have you believe you are. Again, aesthetic changes. With the money you earn, you can purchase your standard fare of clothes, equipment and trick upgrades as well.

The new "Monster Tricks" are the new big-air focal point, but are much easier to pull off and much less rewarding. When it's ready to be unleashed, just a simple movement of the right analog stick starts the new convulsing animations with much less glory than you're used to, especially since it's much easier to pull off.

Some of the new "off-track" challenges basically take the mystery and awe out of exploring the uncharted parts of the mountain by making them events with parameters. So basically they've charted uncharted territory. Makes no sense. For those who have wanted challengers on the off beaten path, you're in luck, however.

While the trick system has been tweaked, "new" modes have been added and on-mountain icons have changed, the basic fundamental rules still apply. You still have to out-trick your opponents. You still have to race faster than your opponents. You still have to score more points to move up the ladder.

The graphics remain pretty solid. The character models look virtually the same and the new pothead, doodle-infused presentation works really well with the game. Add some musical variety from Jurassic 5 to Iron Maiden and SSX is a visual and sonic treat. If you want to play as Mario and some other familiar characters, you'll have to pick up the Gamecube version.

SSX 3 dipped into the free-roaming mountain era, lacing three fully-modeled mountains with challenges, courses and free-roaming capability. It was a significant step up from SSX Tricky. SSX On Tour doesn't make any comparable evolution and is really hard to recommend for the full retail price at $39. So if you've never played an SSX game before, you owe it to yourself to pick up SSX 3 in the bargain bin. It's essentially the same fun game at a fraction of the price.

Graphics: B

Sound: B+

First Play: B

Last Play: B-

Gameplay: B

Overall: 84% B