SSX 3

I am going to say it: I think that SSX 2012 is better than SSX3. Not only do the controls feel more organic and natural, but the design of everything is just better due to technological improvements. HOWEVER, SSX3 was the game that changed the SSX formula the most until that final gem of the series nine years later. While the races have always been agonizingly easy for me, the track design is hands- down the best in the older entries in the series. Add the absolute best soundtrack of SSX--PERIOD, no explanation needed--plus the many fun, whimsical characters that we've come to love, and you've got a high-speed experience that manages to pull off some amazing thrills despite the ease of the wins. My absolute favorite part of SSX3 will always be the various Freestyle events, with Slopestyle being the best due to its wide variety of paths to choose from. Only a true SSX champion can pull off collecting a platinum metal for every one of these events. At its heart, SSX3 speaks volumes about what makes this classic series so great--it's good, fast-paced fun. Everything from the music to the oftentimes bizarre costume choices to even the surprisingly calming design of the menus, speaks of a time when games could just be wholesome fun for the fun of it. Every time I play it, I just feel happy. I feel . . . like a child again.

Released in 2003, this third entry to the popular SSX snowboarding series kept what made SSX Tricky so popular and added a comprehensive snowboarding universe to the mix. Gear, character stats, and uber tricks are all purchased with prize money from events.

In short, this game is the best of the franchise to date: later SSX games tried to incorporate motion technologies and brought in skiing, making the gameplay a little uneven.

Pros: graphics were incredible, especially for such fast-paced environments. The Peak 3 drop-off is where they really impress, with snow drifts and wind significantly impacting visibility. The variety of characters made sure there was someone for every type of player. Replay value is high; each course has the typical bronze, silver, and gold medal awards, but a higher level of platinum was introduced. In most cases, this 4th level is incredibly challenging. Some seem impossible, but they can be done.

To further encourage players to stick with the game, tokens and objectives (the latter during free ride) are present on every course.

Perhaps most impressively, some of the final challenges involve boarding down the entire mountain through courses attached to all three peaks. Play is continuous with no "load screens". These missions require 20+ minutes.

Courses are complex and unique in length, with some trick courses including nothing but halfpipes (or, in one case, a single pipe).

The soundtrack is excellent, as it is in most EA Big games.

Cons: the "copycat" accusations when considering Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series are easy to make. Tony Hawk's American Wasteland actually borrowed and expanded a bit from this game as well, most notably the lack of load screens while playing.

If you want a snowboarding game that obeys the laws of physics, do not look in the SSX series. Sorry kids, snowboards cannot continually rotate in the air for 5+ seconds, nor can snowboarders ride up a 90-degree angle and fly hundreds of feet up into the sky with just gravity.

One thing I enjoyed in SSX Tricky was the unique trick and skill sets of each character. In SSX 3, every uber trick can be purchased, and every character can reach the same 10/10 in numerous statistical categories.