SSX

SSX is a snowboarding video game, the first in the SSX series. It was developed by EA Canada and published by EA Sports BIG for the PlayStation 2 in October 2000. It was the first title released under the EA Sports BIG publishing label, which specialized in extreme sports titles with an arcade feel.

This article is about the 2000 game. For the 2012 game, see SSX (2012 video game). For the series, see SSX (series). For other uses, see SSX (disambiguation).
SSX
Developer(s)EA Canada
Publisher(s)EA Sports BIG
Producer(s)Larry LaPierre
Steve Rechtschaffner
Programmer(s)Jon Spencer
Artist(s)Ian Lloyd.
SeriesSSX
Platform(s)PlayStation 2
Release
  • NA: October 26, 2000
  • EU: November 24, 2000
Genre(s)Snowboarding
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

SSX received widespread critical acclaim and commercial 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 reboot released in 2012, SSX. Rechtschaffner lead the development of SSX, SSX Tricky and SSX 3 before moving into the Chief Creative Officer role for EA Canada. He had no involvement in the other titles in the series.

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 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 a total of eight playable characters: Mac Fraser, Moby Jones, Elise Riggs, Kaori Nishidake, Jurgen Angermann, JP Arsenault, Zoe Payne, and Hiro Karamatsu. Mac, Moby, Elise, and Kaori are available at the start, while the other four are unlocked by earning gold medals. Earning the first gold medal unlocks Jurgen, the second gold medal unlocks JP, the third gold medal unlocks Zoe, and the fourth gold medal unlocks Hiro.

Development

SSX's development started on the Dreamcast. When Electronic Arts decided to end its relationship with Sega, the development was moved to the PlayStation 2.[1]

Reception

The game received "universal acclaim" according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[2] In Japan, where the game was ported for release under the title X-treme Racing SSX (エクストリーム・レーシングSSX, Exusutorīmu Rēshingu SSX) on October 26, 2000,[19] Famitsu gave it a score of 32 out of 40.[7]

GameSpot praised the game's 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.[12] IGN's 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."[14] Both reviews noted the presence of some graphical slowdown, but also stated that it was a rare occurrence and only a minor issue.

GameCritics cited the scope of the game's tracks as a strength, but pointed out that there is little revolutionary in the game's overall premise of snowboard races. The 'pre-wind' jump system was also criticised, in that to ensure a good jump, the player must sacrifice the ability to steer long before they reach the ramp. However, the site did praise the simplicity of the trick system itself, and called the game "an all-around solid title".[20]

Daniel Erickson reviewed the PlayStation 2 version of the game for Next Generation, rating it five stars out of five, and stated that "The best game on PS2 to date. End of story."[15]

The game won the title of the PlayStation 2 Game of the Year at Electronic Gaming Monthly's 2000 Gamers' Choice Awards.[21] SSX also won GameSpot's annual "Best PlayStation 2 Game" and "Best Sound" awards among console games. It was a runner-up for the publication's "Best Game Music", "Best Sports Game (Alternative)", "Best Graphics, Technical" and overall "Game of the Year" prizes. The editors dubbed it a "killer app" for the PlayStation 2.[22]

References
  1. Bajda, Piotr (January 10, 2018). "The Rise and Fall of EA Sports Big, as Told by the Creator of SSX". USgamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  2. "SSX for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  3. Berger, Gregory. "SSX - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 16, 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  4. Edge staff (December 2000). "SSX". Edge. No. 91. Future plc.
  5. EGM staff (November 2000). "SSX". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 136. Ziff Davis.
  6. Bramwell, Tom (November 28, 2000). "SSX". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  7. "プレイステーション2 - エクストリーム・レーシングSSX". Famitsu (in Japanese). Vol. 915. Enterbrain. June 30, 2006. p. 58.
  8. Reiner, Andrew (November 2000). "SSX". Game Informer. No. 91. FuncoLand. Archived from the original on May 28, 2009. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  9. "REVIEW for SSX". GameFan. Shinno Media. November 1, 2000.
  10. Dan Elektro (October 24, 2000). "SSX Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 4, 2005. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  11. Dr. Moo (November 2000). "SSX Review". Game Revolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on February 27, 2015. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  12. MacDonald, Ryan (October 6, 2000). "SSX Review". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  13. Gonzalez, Jessyel (October 27, 2000). "SSX". PlanetPS2. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 24, 2001. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  14. Zdyrko, David (October 23, 2000). "SSX". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  15. Erickson, Daniel (November 2000). "Finals". Next Generation. Vol. 3 no. 11. Imagine Media. p. 108.
  16. Davison, John (November 2000). "SSX". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on December 13, 2000. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  17. Boyce, Ryan (October 26, 2000). "SSX". Maxim. Biglari Holdings. Archived from the original on August 10, 2001. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  18. Kent, Steve (October 27, 2000). "Game stars light up PlayStation 2 rollout: Of the 26 launch titles, chosen few impress with style, graphics, humor". USA Today. Gannett Company. Archived from the original on June 12, 2007. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  19. "エクストリーム・レーシングSSX [PS2]". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  20. Weir, Dale (March 4, 2001). "SSX - Review". GameCritics. Archived from the original on January 14, 2006. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  21. EGM staff (April 2001). "2000 Gamers' Choice Awards". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 141. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 10, 2001. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  22. GameSpot Staff (January 5, 2001). "Best and Worst of 2000". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 13, 2002.
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