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SSX (2000 video game)

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SSX
North American box art
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, Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

SSX is a snowboarding video game, the first in the SSX series. It was developed by EA Canada and published by Electronic Arts under the EA Sports BIG label 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.[1]

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 games.[1] The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences gave the game five awards, including "Console Sports Game of the Year", "Console Racing Game of the Year" and "Console Game of the Year".[2][3] The executive producer and creative leader was Steve Rechtschaffner,[4] who was also the inventor of the Olympic snowboard event called boardercross,[5] which served as the inspiration for the game.[6]

Subsequent titles in the SSX series include, in order of release, SSX Tricky (2001), SSX 3 (2003), SSX on Tour (2005), SSX Blur (2007), and SSX (2012), the final installment.[1][7] Rechtschaffner led the development of SSX, SSX Tricky, and SSX 3,[8] before moving into the chief creative officer role for EA Canada. He had no involvement in the other titles in the series.[9]

Gameplay

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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. 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.[10]

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 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.[10]

Development

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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.[9] The game was announced on February 17, 2000,[11] and had an estimated development budget of $8 million.[12]

Reception

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The game received universal acclaim according to Metacritic, a video game review aggregator.[13] Eric Bratcher of NextGen called it "The best game on PS2 to date. End of story."[27] 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 (the same release date as the North American PlayStation 2 launch), Famitsu gave it a score of 32 out of 40.[18]

GameSpot's early review 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.[24] IGN's review drew attention to the game's deft balancing of tricks and racing, saying that a mastery of both is a requirement of success in the game. The game's tracks were seen as a strong point, calling the Tokyo Megaplex course "a festival of lights, color and one of the most ingeniously designed levels that have ever been in a game."[26] Both reviews mentioned the presence of some graphical slowdown but stated that it was a rare occurrence and only a minor issue. Edge gave it eight out of ten and said of the game: "You'll win races by fractions of seconds, and you'll lose them by less, but either way you'll find yourself tearing down another hillside within minutes. It's addictive and instinctive, and it's that seemingly rare thing: a PlayStation2 [sic] title that values entertainment over image."[31] GameCritics cited the scope of the game's tracks as a strength, and said 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. The site praised the simplicity of the trick system, and called the game "an all-around solid title".[32]

Accolades

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The game won the title of the PlayStation 2 Game of the Year at Electronic Gaming Monthly's 2000 Gamers' Choice Awards and Readers' Choice Awards.[33][34] It also won the "Best Sound" and "Best PlayStation 2 Game" awards at GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2000 Awards;[35][36] and was a runner-up for "Best Game Music",[37] "Best Graphics, Technical",[38] "Best Sports Game (Alternative)",[39] and overall "Game of the Year" awards.[40] The staff dubbed it a "killer app" for the PlayStation 2.[36]

SSX additionally won the "Console Game of the Year",[41] "Console Racing",[2] "Console Sports",[3] "Gameplay Engineering",[42] and "Visual Engineering" awards[43] at the AIAS' 4th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards; it also received nominations for the "Original Musical Composition" award, which was given to Medal of Honor: Underground,[44] as well as for "Game of the Year", which ultimately was awarded to Diablo II.

The game won the awards for Sports Game of 2000 in Editors' Choice (it was a runner-up in Readers' Choice),[45] Graphics of 2000,[46] Sound of 2000,[47] and PlayStation 2 Game of the Year at IGN's Best of 2000 Awards.[48] It also won the awards for "Game of the Year", "Best Soundtrack", and "Best Extreme Sports Game" at the Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine 2000 Editors' Awards,[49][50][51] and was a runner-up for the "Best Multiplayer Game" award, which went to TimeSplitters.[52]

Notes

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  1. ^ Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game each a score of 9.5/10, 9/10, and 8.5/10.[16]
  2. ^ In GameFan's review, three critics gave it each a score of 79, 91, and 95.[21]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Farlow, Sean (January 2, 2017). "What Happened To SSX Games – Previous Releases and Future". Gazette Review. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Fourth Interactive Achievement Awards: Console Racing Game of the Year". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on April 17, 2001. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Fourth Interactive Achievement Awards: Console Sports Game of the Year". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on April 18, 2001. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  4. ^ "History of SSX". Electronic Arts. March 5, 2012. Archived from the original on February 20, 2020. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  5. ^ Rechtschaffner, Steven (1991). "The Very First Ever Boardercross" (video). Greg Stump's World of Extremes. Fox. Archived from the original on 12 February 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022 – via Vimeo.
  6. ^ "SSX". Electronic Arts. December 18, 2010. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  7. ^ Zak, Robert (July 31, 2023). "'We Made SSX 20 Years Too Early:' Creating A Successor To A PS2 Classic". DualSHOCKERS. Archived from the original on July 31, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  8. ^ Coulson, John (January 25, 2020). "It's Tricky: Game's Producer Explains Why SSX Remaster Is Out Of His Hands". TheGamer. Archived from the original on April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  9. ^ a b Bajda, Piotr (January 9, 2018). "The Rise and Fall of EA Sports Big, as Told by the Creator of SSX". USgamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on January 17, 2019. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  10. ^ a b SSX PlayStation 2 Instruction Manual. EA Sports Big. 2000.
  11. ^ "Electronic Arts Announces SSX – Snowboard SuperX Its First Entertainment Title for the PlayStation 2". Business Wire. Berkshire Hathaway. February 17, 2000. Archived from the original on May 15, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2021 – via The Free Dictionary.
  12. ^ "Former Kamloops man becomes world-class video game whiz kid". Vancouver Sun. March 7, 2001. p. 37. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ a b "SSX for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  14. ^ Berger, Gregory. "SSX – Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 16, 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  15. ^ Rector, Brett (October 25, 2000). "SSX". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on November 9, 2000. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  16. ^ a b Hager, Dean; Johnston, Chris; Sewart, Greg (November 2000). "SSX" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 136. Ziff Davis. p. 266. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  17. ^ Bramwell, Tom (November 28, 2000). "SSX". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  18. ^ a b "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. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  19. ^ Reiner, Andrew (November 2000). "SSX". Game Informer. No. 91. FuncoLand. Archived from the original on May 28, 2009. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  20. ^ Geoff "The Judge" Higgins (November 2000). "SSX". GameFan. Vol. 8, no. 11. BPA International. p. 100. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  21. ^ a b Eric "ECM" Mylonas; Matt "Kodomo" Van Stone; Jason "Fury" Weitzner (November 2000). "SSX". GameFan. Vol. 8, no. 11. BPA International. p. 23. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ Dr. Moo (November 2000). "SSX Review". Game Revolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on February 27, 2015. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  24. ^ a b MacDonald, Ryan (October 6, 2000). "SSX Review". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on November 10, 2000. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  25. ^ Gonzalez, Jessyel (October 27, 2000). "SSX". PlanetPS2. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 24, 2001. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  26. ^ a b Zdyrko, David (October 23, 2000). "SSX". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 22, 2022. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  27. ^ a b Erickson, Daniel (November 2000). "SSX". NextGen. No. 71. Imagine Media. p. 108. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  28. ^ Davison, John (November 2000). "SSX". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on December 13, 2000. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  29. ^ Boyce, Ryan (October 26, 2000). "SSX". Maxim. Biglari Holdings. Archived from the original on August 10, 2001. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ Edge staff (December 2000). "SSX" (PDF). Edge. No. 91. Future Publishing. pp. 100–101. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  32. ^ Weir, Dale (March 4, 2001). "SSX – Review". GameCritics. Archived from the original on January 14, 2006. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  33. ^ EGM staff (April 2001). "2000 Gamers' Choice Awards" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 141. Ziff Davis. p. 94. Archived from the original on April 10, 2001. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  34. ^ EGM staff (April 2001). "EGM's 2000 Gamers' Choice Awards (2000 Readers' Choice Awards: PlayStation 2 Game of the Year)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 141. Ziff Davis. p. 98.
  35. ^ GameSpot staff (January 5, 2001). "Best and Worst of 2000 Awards (Best Sound)". GameSpot. CNET. Archived from the original on June 18, 2001. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  36. ^ a b GameSpot staff (January 5, 2001). "Best and Worst of 2000 Awards (Best PlayStation 2 Game)". GameSpot. CNET. Archived from the original on May 10, 2001. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  37. ^ GameSpot staff (January 5, 2001). "Best and Worst of 2000 Awards (Best Game Music Runners-Up)". GameSpot. CNET. Archived from the original on June 18, 2001. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  38. ^ GameSpot staff (January 5, 2001). "Best and Worst of 2000 Awards (Best Graphics, Technical Runners-Up)". GameSpot. CNET. Archived from the original on July 12, 2001. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  39. ^ GameSpot staff (January 5, 2001). "Best and Worst of 2000 (Best Sports Game (Alternative) Runners-Up)". GameSpot. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on February 22, 2001. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  40. ^ GameSpot staff (January 5, 2001). "Best and Worst of 2000 Awards (Game of the Year Runners-Up, Part 3)". GameSpot. CNET. Archived from the original on June 28, 2001. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  41. ^ "Fourth Interactive Achievement Awards: Overall Console Game of the Year". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on April 17, 2001. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  42. ^ "Fourth Interactive Achievement Awards: Outstanding Gameplay Engineering". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on November 6, 2001. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  43. ^ "Fourth Interactive Achievement Awards: Outstanding Visual Engineering". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on April 19, 2001. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  44. ^ "Fourth Interactive Achievement Awards: Outstanding Original Music Composition". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on November 6, 2001. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  45. ^ IGN staff (January 29, 2001). "Best of 2000 Awards (PS2: Sports Game of 2000)". IGN. Snowball.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2001. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  46. ^ IGN staff (January 29, 2001). "Best of 2000 Awards (PS2: Graphics of 2000)". IGN. Snowball.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2001. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  47. ^ IGN staff (January 29, 2001). "Best of 2000 Awards (PS2: Sound of 2000)". IGN. Snowball.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2001. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  48. ^ IGN staff (January 29, 2001). "Best of 2000 Awards (PS2: Game of the Year)". IGN. Snowball.com. Archived from the original on May 9, 2001. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  49. ^ OPM staff (March 13, 2001). "Game of the Year". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 18, 2001. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  50. ^ OPM staff (March 13, 2001). "Best Extreme Sports Game". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 19, 2001. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  51. ^ OPM staff (March 13, 2001). "Best Soundtrack". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 19, 2001. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  52. ^ OPM staff (March 13, 2001). "Best Multiplayer Game". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 19, 2001. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
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