Topic: PREVIEWS: Tony Hawk: Ride

[NWR_Neal]

Travel the world on your new skateboard controller with Tony Hawk and pals.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/previewArt.cfm?artid=19927

 Tony Hawk has been dormant for most of the Wii's existence, but now he's coming back in a big way. In Tony Hawk: Ride, the Birdman takes to the streets with a new motion-sensing skateboard controller that was designed alongside the game.    

This new peripheral eliminates the need for a normal controller in-game, as everything the player needs is right at their fingertips and feet. Players treat the Ride board like they would a real skateboard, minus the wheels. While standing on the board, players can rotate, tilt, and lift it to perform a variety of tricks ranging from ollies to complex board flips. Grabs can also be performed by motioning around the four sensors on the side of the board.    

   

Controller aside, Tony Hawk and the rest of his friends are back and up to their old tricks as they take on vert, trick, and speed challenges in both single-player and multiplayer modes across five different city areas, including Los Angeles, Toledo, and Frankfurt. The multiplayer mode only uses one skateboard controller during its "Hot Seat"-style gameplay. There will also be create-a-skater and online modes.    

To ease players into the new control scheme, there will be three different levels of difficulty. The lowest one effectively puts the game on rails, while the other two slowly give the player more control over where their player can go and what they can do.    

Like past games in the series, Ride retains a special meter, except this time it does something more than just get you more points; it also activates visual effects that add pastel-like lines that follow you around.    

   

Below is a list of the skaters that will appear in the game:    

 
• Tony Hawk
 
• Paul Rodriguez
 
• Ryan Sheckler
 
• Mike Vallely
 
• Nyjah Huston
 
• Steve Nesser
 
• Cara Beth Burnside
 
• Lyn-Z Adams
 
• Mike Mo Capaldi
 
• Stevie Williams
 
• Dustin Dollin
 
• Daewon Song
 
• Rodney Mullen
 
• Christian Hosoi
 
• Alex Olson
 

   

Tony Hawk: Ride is being developed by Buzz Monkey for Wii, and is set to come out on November 17 for an estimated $120.

[NWR_Neal]

I like the idea of this game, but I freaking hate the price.

I don't think I'm the only person that's saying that.

[Nick DiMola]

Yeah the price is completely prohibitive on this one. I doubt it'll see strong sales unless it gets rave reviews.

[EasyCure]

Yeah the price is completely prohibitive on this one. I doubt it'll see strong sales unless it gets rave reviews.

Even with rave reviews, thats a lot to ask for one game with a peripheral that only it will use.

Actually, I literally just typed out "a peripheral that only it (and its countless sequels) will use.." but corrected myself. This game will probably bomb because of the price and for once, Activision won't make a 4 sequels a year.

[Mop it up]

Yeah the price is completely prohibitive on this one. I doubt it'll see strong sales unless it gets rave reviews.

I recall people saying the same thing about a little-known game called Guitar Hero...

[Nick DiMola]

Yeah, exactly. If this can channel the same energy that made GH a success, I think regardless of the price, Activision will have a hit on their hands.

[NWR_pap64]

I think it will be a hit despite the price.

[EasyCure]

I want to disagree with both of you because skateboarding isn't as mainstream as playing guitar/music but then again... it seems to be a fad again with kids walking around with skateboards and "the look" so who knows. Might be safer for them to ride this new motion board in their living room and soft carpets than ride a real board, gaining momentum and trying to pop your first ollie on pavement..

All I know is I won't be purchasing this, because it could've just been a Wii exclusive with balance board support and cost me $49.99. It's not though (not that I dont mind multiplatform games) and I have no space for more peripherals, or desire to spend this much money on ONE game. At least with the Guitar Hero investment, I can use my instruments on multiple games.

[NWR_Neal]

All I know is I won't be purchasing this, because it could've just been a Wii exclusive with balance board support and cost me $49.99.

This game would not have worked with Balance Board support.
The skateboard controller might look similar to the Balance Board, but it's optimized for this game, and I don't think the game would've been very good if it was Balance Board only. Just look at Skate It.

[Nick DiMola]

Yeah I have to agree with Neal. The board has so much movement, it just feels different from the more rigid Balance Board. Sure, it sucks that it needs a controller, but at least it's a breath of fresh air for this stagnant series.

[EasyCure]

If it works differently (and you know, actually works) then that's fine and well, but I'd still rather go to an arcade and hit up that skateboarding game Sega has out with a skateboard controller I've been thru every TH game until that American Wasteland title, I'm way too burnt out on it (and plastic peripherals) to care anymore. I kinda hope this bombs just to show Activision a lesson dangit! haha

[Mop it up]

I kinda hope this bombs just to show Activision a lesson dangit! haha

I hope the same, but I know it will never happen because these days consumerism is fueled by high-priced accessories.

[EasyCure]

I kinda hope this bombs just to show Activision a lesson dangit! haha

I hope the same, but I know it will never happen because these days consumerism is fueled by high-priced accessories.

Another fad i'll never understand..

[Plugabugz]

This doesn't fall under the Pledge so i won't say it, but i won't buy it. No space in this room for it.