February 21, 2002
By Jae-Ha Kim and Misha Davenport
Chicago Sun-Times
The Winter
Olympics come to a close on Sunday. But the competition can live on in
a slew of games for Playstation 2, GameCube and XBox.
Our
distinguished panel of international judges (OK, there are only two of
us--but we're of Irish and Korean descent) evaluated the games and awarded
them with gold, silver and bronze honors. In one heated tie, there were
two winners for the gold. But then, that precedent already has been set.
SNOWBOARDING
AMPED
Microsoft; Rated E for everyone
Xbox
So,
you're thinking about jibbin' for a livin'? For a real snowboarding experience
without buying a board and hitting the slopes, look no further than "Amped."
You begin the game with crappy clothes and a lousy board. You make your
way through a run trying to impress would-be sponsors and the media. Grab
either group's attention with real moves like stinky stalefish (grabbing
the heel of your board while your knees are apart) and you're on your way
to new duds and boards. The graphics are awesome and the soundtrack includes
electronic, emo, hip-hop and ska, among others. Plus, you can rip your
own songs to the hard drive to listen to while you play.
Duuuude,
sweeeet! (Misha Davenport)
GOLD (TIE)
SSX TRICKY
EA Sports; Rated E for everyone
Reviewed for the GameCube, also available for the
Playstation 2 and XBox
Even
if the idea of eating a doughnut is more appealing to you than executing
one, you'll be stoked with this game. It capitalizes on the daring nature
of snowboarding with loud techno music and some familiar-sounding characters.
The makers enlisted celebs such as Lucy Liu, Macy Gray and Bif Naked to
lend their voices. But it's rad-sounding David Arquette who is most like
an authentic boarder.
"Tricky"
is the updated, cranked-up follow-up to "SSX," which was released a year
ago on PS2. One of the gripes about "SSX" was that it was too difficult
to master. "Tricky" is a little easier to play, but it still is a challenge
to successfully perform tricks, which makes your character race faster,
which in turn helps you win the gold.
The
visuals are sharp and clear and have greater depth than any other snowboarding
game on a Nintendo system. The characters are well-developed, and a lot
of attention has been lavished on the background settings. (Jae-Ha Kim)
SILVER
ESPN'S WINTER X GAMES SNOWBOARDING
Konami; Rated E for everyone
Reviewed for PS2, also available for Xbox
Danny
Kass just picked up a silver medal in the Olympics, so we're inclined to
award a similar medal to the Konami title because gamers have a chance
to compete as him. You also have the option of starting from scratch with
a lousy board and very little skills to create your own personality.
The
moves were trickier to execute than with "Amped," but you have to love
a game where points are awarded for charisma as well as talent. (Misha
Davenport)
BRONZE
SHAUN PALMER'S PRO SNOWBOARDER
Activision; Rated E for everyone
PS2
Besides
hearing some bitchin' music by Papa Roach, Alien Ant Farm and Orange 9mm,
players get the chance to ride the, uh, snow like X-Games gold medalist
Shaun Palmer and his pals Tara Dakides, Leslee Olson and Ingemar Backman,
who are all featured in the game. The animation is first-rate and faithful
to the slopes on which they're based and, just as important, to the characters'
actual lines and movements.
Players
speed down the slopes executing intricate trick combos (ollies, grinds,
flips) that defy gravity. Players may venture from eight slope locations
such as Squaw Valley and Kirkwood to explore hidden areas and try to stick
tricks off anything that can give them momentum. The more complex movements
require "Street Fighter"-style combination moves that, for this player,
resulted in consistent crashing. But once you master the circular motion
to keep these dudes flying, you're on your way to a medal. (Jae-Ha Kim)
HOCKEY
GOLD
NHL 2002
EA Sports; Rated E for everyone
PS2
Don't
like hockey? Doesn't matter. You'll still enjoy this exciting game.
Start
off by peeking at the roster and checking out your players. Then get ready
to play. The Breakaway Cam is there to show awesome close-ups of one-on-one
challenges and puck maneuvers. Execute enough spectacular body checks and
other stunts and you earn in-game NHL cards. The more cards you collect,
the faster your players go.
The
sound quality is simply awesome and includes music by the Barenaked Ladies
(whose Ed Robertson last was seen sporting a speedskating uniform while
the band entertained the crowd at the Olympics). But it's even more impressive
to hear how the sound accentuates the game at crucial moments. When the
player skates to make a goal, the fans cheer. The closer he gets to the
opponent's goal, the cheering fades and the beating of
his heart crescendos into a nice Edgar Allan Poe
moment. (Jae Ha Kim)
SILVER
NHL HITZ 2002
Midway; Rated E for everyone
Reviewed for Xbox, alsoavailable for GameCube and
PS2
The
player control is fluid and the game gives you the options of exhibition,
championship or franchise game player, but the player animation while playing
the game isn't as great as EA's "NHL 2002."
However,
Midway scores a silver medal for incorporating the one aspect of the sport
we truly love: senseless, underhanded violence. Whether it's introducing
a fellow player's teeth to your hockey stick or their entire body to the
boards, we couldn't get enough. Now that's hockey! (Misha Davenport)
BRONZE
ESPN NATIONAL HOCKEY NIGHT
Konami; Rated E for everyone
PS2
Konami
deserves to be sent to the penalty box for this one. Yes, a lot of detail
went into the game, from players' statistics to the look of both the arenas
and the players themselves. Still, you don't buy a video game for trivia
or because it looks nice. You buy it to play hockey, and that's where this
game comes up short.
Players
were so unresponsive to my button and stick manipulation, I shouted more
obscenities at them than a real NHL coach. In real hockey, players do things
like race toward the puck and check someone into the boards. These features
are missing from "ESPN National Hockey Night," and the result is game play
that's less exciting than your average minor league team. (Misha Davenport)
Read more about GameCube, PS2 and Xbox
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