Unlike previous
Tony Hawk titles, Downhill Jam is a standard racing game -- there is no free-roaming, as far as we can tell from the demo and press releases. In fact, it does not feel like
Tony Hawk at all -- more so, the game feels derivative of the skateboarding games found in local arcades a few years back. The Wii remote is held horizontally like a NES controller, and the button layout is smart -- the 1 and 2 buttons for jumping and grinding, the D-pad for tricks. The problems begin with steering, which is accomplished by rocking the controller right and left. A slight move does very little, but move it just a little more and the turning becomes chaotic. The controls will no doubt be tweaked and improved upon before launch.
Visually, Downhill Jam could hold its own with a second-generation Xbox One title. It's a pretty game, although not as impressive as other Nintendo first- and second-party titles. Load times, if there were any, were not noticeable.
Ironically, by breaking from traditional
Tony Hawk games,
Downhill Jam became even more formulaic. It could be a fun racer, but we feel the title would have benefited from more elements associated with the
Tony Hawk franchise. The tracks are moderately fun, with plenty of shortcuts, but the game gains nothing from being a
Tony Hawk title.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bloo @ May 10th 2006 5:12PM
"Visually, Downhill Jam could hold its own with a second-generation Xbox One title"
I feel F-Zero looks better on the GameCube (on a 60" widescreen HDTV) than any Xbox 1 game. Graphics aren't everything, but shouldn't the Wii look at least a little better than ANY Xbox 1 game? Of course, Z:TP is in widescreen so I guess that's good enough for me. I'll get my HD fix from 360 and PS3
Jeff @ May 10th 2006 5:14PM
It sounds almost like SSX or another snowboarding-type game.
Not that that's a bad thing, necessarily. I personally prefer the "racing with tricks" style to the free-roaming, do a bunch of tricks until you clear the level kind of thing.
Bloo @ May 10th 2006 5:17PM
"Visually, Downhill Jam could hold its own with a second-generation Xbox One title"
I feel F-Zero looks better on the GameCube (on a 60" widescreen HDTV) than any Xbox 1 game. Graphics aren't everything, but shouldn't the Wii look at least a little better than ANY Xbox 1 game? Of course, Z:TP is in widescreen so I guess that's good enough for me. I'll get my HD fix from 360 and PS3
JodyAnthony @ May 10th 2006 5:18PM
I figured this game would be crap. Even if the controls are tweaked, who wants to just go downhill through the whole game? the draw of the tony hawk games was the freedom to explore the areas. at least in my opinion. If I wanted to go downhill, I would play one of the multitude of bad snowboarding games out there (unless its the snowboarding game in final fantasy vii. That was awesome)
Danno @ May 10th 2006 5:18PM
It's looking like it's going to be a little bit into the Wii's life-span before the truly innovative titles start showing up.
Give me Bob Ross painting game or give me death!
VaultedCeilings @ May 10th 2006 5:22PM
I'm not sure who to listen to; Joystiq has said some harsh or sometimes mellow things about some Wii games while IGN has said mostly positive things. I'm not too surprised about Red Steel (after watching the pre-show conf it looked sluggish) but the truck game and even tony hawk got good "hands-on" impressions from the IGN staff. Maybe they played different versions or had more time with them?
Avinash_Tyagi @ May 10th 2006 5:43PM
Well i think this has more to do with the fact that third parties are still tweaking the games and learning how to use the controller.
The first party games seem more polished and as a result are getting better impressions
Mike Ray @ May 10th 2006 5:48PM
"Give me Bob Ross painting game or give me death!"
or we could give you dead bob ross! but seiously, i am looking forward to that game as well.
Thomas Werewolf @ May 10th 2006 6:04PM
Sounds like another old school Nintendo call-back... Skate or Die!
Did anyone ever choose Poseur Pete?
mr. reason @ May 10th 2006 7:44PM
i was thinking the same thing as jeff,
essentialy it is not as much of a tony hawk "style" game at all. sure it has the same tricks and all but the entire idea is completely different. think of the game as a sort of ssx title where you have tons of new moves and umm well you skating (duh). if you come playing this game expecting an ordinary tony hawk game
"you isnt gettin what you cum fur". my advice, come expecting ..... fun ..?