Video of Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam for Wii [Update 1]
by Joystiq Staff 
{ Aug 5th 2006 at 2:25PM }
In case you're curious as to how Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam will look on the Wii, there's a short guided tour of the gameplay up on YouTube.
As you'll see, the controls work pretty much like how the PS3's new controller will, but with a few added touches here and there. Graphics-wise, it's pretty much what we expected -- which isn't much. Though, honestly, it looks no worse than Tony Hawk's American Wasteland on the 360. Judge it all for yourself.
[Update 1] Since so many have clamored for IGN video, here's a link to all the hi-res Downhill Jam videos.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Dave @ Aug 5th 2006 2:34PM
Why is there a cord coming from the controller, and either that dude has massive hands of the wii-mote has gotten smaller.
anyway, this game is not one that will sell me a wii, I will leave that honor to Smash Bros
Robert Summa @ Aug 5th 2006 2:36PM
Yeah, I was a little worried about the size of the Wii remote too. It looked very small in the vid. Being that I'm 6'3" and have fairly good-sized hands, I'm a somewhat concerned bout that.
Not Impressed (Dmitri) @ Aug 5th 2006 2:38PM
Who cares why there is a cord?
Anyways. The game looks pretty bad. I mean, really bad. Project 8 will be good and (I hope) will be in the Wii. I haven't really looked it up.
This reminds me of... One of those flying games where it makes you go through the circles.
Or just another crappy racer where you can beat people up.
Kind of seems like they are ripping off Downhill Demolition or w/e its called.
Markster @ Aug 5th 2006 2:42PM
Well, at least it looks a lot better in motion than it did in those screens that were released pre-E3!
It actually looks kinda fun. I'd want to give it a try.
Adam @ Aug 5th 2006 2:45PM
To Dave:
Remember, though, that the new Smash Bros. game will use the GameCube controller, not the Wii's.
Dizzy the Egg @ Aug 5th 2006 2:50PM
looks horribly unresponsive.. I hope Sony uses its motion sensors as a minor feature in games rather than relying on it primarily for control because this and Excitetruck do not look good.
Kross @ Aug 5th 2006 2:52PM
So its SSX minus the snow?
Dragonzs @ Aug 5th 2006 2:52PM
I dont understand why Joystiq is the only blog out of Engadget/TVsquad/Downlaod Squad/Cinematical that almost always has to have a negative swing to a post. The other guys always seem to have fun with their work, making every post with a postive and happy tone, and always adds in a funny comment or two. Joystiq is the complete opposite... I guess that is the result u get when u stick a bunch of teenagers together and actually expect something out of them...
Dave @ Aug 5th 2006 2:54PM
@ 'Who cares why there is a cord?'
The first and most obvious answer would be I do.
The second answer that comes to mind, and apparently the one your having trouble imagining on your own would explain that the Wii controller is suppose to be wireless. Thus seeing a wire come out of it and go seemingly no place leaves me wondering why it is not wireless. (Yes I do realize it could be a nunchuk attachment, but to what sort of attachment I wonder)
Ian Bowden @ Aug 5th 2006 2:54PM
That looks pretty lame. The game isn't enhanced at all with the wii controller, I think I'd rather nudge the analogue stick than move the controller left or right.
I'll probably pick up a wii later in its product lifecycle when devleopers make the wii controller worth while.
Ted D. Moncrief @ Aug 5th 2006 2:55PM
@1 and 2
It's my understanding that the Wiimotes included in the devkits have cords and aren't shaped exactly the same as the final product. I wouldn't be surprised if the devkit Wiimote is smaller or whatever else. Don't judge the hardware by that video.
SilverDogg @ Aug 5th 2006 2:55PM
developers kits controller have a cord.
since we saw this game last time it has been improved a lot. the only thing im concerned with is the lag that seems to be between the controller and the actual action. fix this dammit!
karmaghost @ Aug 5th 2006 2:56PM
It did look a little like the wiimote wasn't very responsive in that game in particular. I hope that's not the norm.
Dave @ Aug 5th 2006 2:57PM
'Remember, though, that the new Smash Bros. game will use the GameCube controller, not the Wii's.'
A fact I am willing to overlook in anticipation of my coming ownage.
Raynre @ Aug 5th 2006 3:05PM
Yes, the Wii devkit remotes are in fact wired. Notice how its a matte grey and not the shiny sexy little Wiimote weve all come to know and love?
Also; Yes it is small. Thats the same size it was at E306. What really amuses me about this is that I can remember a time when people were complaining that they wouldnt be able to reach all the buttons with just one hand...
jordan @ Aug 5th 2006 3:06PM
the graphics are early, this game isn't done, they're focusing on GAMEPLAY first, graphics second, we have seen RED STEEL, RAYMAN, and even Mario Galaxy, and they all look pretty, this game WILL look good, and the controls etc. are being tweaked, playing=believing, so don't bash until you've PLAYED, and by the way, the devkits like one person mentioned come w/ a cord, who wants to charge a battery, or change batteries every so often when you're using the controller 24/7 to tweak the controls, not me if i'm a developer wastes time and money
notadamsandler @ Aug 5th 2006 3:08PM
My Xbox told me that the other game consoles in the neighborhood all think Wii is not that impressive. Maybe because it's the new kid and everyone thinks the new kid is lame. My Xbox also told me that Bruce Willis is really Darth Vader and that he works in a grocery store. It is all explained in my blog at http://ultrarealism.blogspot.com if you don't believe me.
LongshotX @ Aug 28th 2006 9:05PM
$250 for this? I'm not so sure about that one...
georgedakota @ Aug 5th 2006 3:10PM
Looks barely like an xbox 1 game and i have seen this controller before on the pc, it was called sidewinder by microsoft look it up. It added nothing whatsoever to any game i played with it. I have a feeling most wii games will be simple like this for simple people.
duscrom @ Aug 5th 2006 3:18PM
"14. the graphics are early, this game isn't done, they're focusing on GAMEPLAY first, graphics second,"
Yeah, you must be right, since there is that ONE GUY doing the whole game. It's not like there is a totally seperate art team. He's gotta hurry up tightening the grap... i mean, gameplay on Level 3, there is another game he Needs to design.
No, but seriously, this game dosen't look that bad. I looks like what I'd expect out of the Wii. Gamecube quality graphics, with bright toony colors. Tony Hawk, he's like Mario with Street Cred!
SilverDogg @ Aug 5th 2006 3:19PM
@16
im guessing you meant that the ps3-controller is very much the sidewinder right? theres lots of differences between the wiimote and sidewinder. if you dont know them, please dont even bother to write.
Revolver @ Aug 5th 2006 3:20PM
georgedakota, you're right. The Wii won't be as powerful as other consoles, like the DS. The Wii will feature "gimmicky" controls, just like the DS. The Wii will have tons of these simple games, like the DS. In fact, I bet you that the Wii will probably be about as successful as the DS has been. People don't want simple games, they want more power and better graphics. That's the reason the DS hasn't been more popular...
jordan @ Aug 5th 2006 3:31PM
yea Wii won't be successful just like DS hasn't been, i mean, 7 titles from Ubisoft at launch, 6 from Midway, and a ton of new stuff coming from EA just means that they're making a HUGE gamble, i mean, nobody wants to play this thing, cause we all saw who had the longest lines at E3...
SUPERGHOST @ Aug 5th 2006 3:31PM
It is funny. The more I see of the Wii, the less interested in it I am. The clincher for me was E3. Turned me right off of the system. Too bad, I kind of was interested in the concept originally.
El Hajjish @ Aug 5th 2006 3:33PM
I wouldn't worry about the Wii controller being unresponsive. If you watch the E3 video of Wii Sports Tennis demo in Nintendo's big presentation, it seems pretty responsive there. May 3rd parties are having a little more trouble with it? I heard that Red Steel had this problem too.
With regards to Joystiq putting a negative comment in every post... Are we going to have to talk about the Wii's lesser graphics in every future post about the system? For example, in reviews, will reviewers always compare the graphics to 360 and PS3 games? I kind of hope people will get over it and start comparing the graphics in Wii games to other Wii games.
Also, well put, Revolver. I'd hate to see the Wii suffer the same level market success as the DS! Like my grandpa says, he's not getting into gaming unless he can play games at 1080p. :-)
Lou @ Aug 5th 2006 3:35PM
It was probably a wired version of the remote. The graphics looked a little better than the demo I saw on the net around E3.
Shaun @ Aug 5th 2006 3:36PM
Someone remind me why i bother checking this site? When did you guys take the joy out of Joystiq?!
nambit @ Aug 5th 2006 3:41PM
I better clear some stuff up being that it appears a few Joystick posters are a bit biased and unfamilair with what's going on here:
1. The cord is there because they are playing it on a devkit.
2. YouTube videos always look like crap. It looks miles better and cleaner on IGN if you want to see a better representation.
3. The game looks a whole lot better in motion (especially on IGN's website). Remember, these are videos off a regular TV screen, running at 4:3 ratio. It'll look even better on a widescreen TV at 16:9. It looks like it'll be going 60fps so expect it to be fluid.
4. Wii-mote's response is very good, especially considering that camera's tend to lag TV images a bit when taking movies (as opposed to the hand motion). The tilt responsiveness is almost spot on, and matches even the responsiveness of the button.
5. The video shows how effective even primitive motion-sensor control can be. There are far more uses for the wii-mote than the one shown. In fact, because of the compact size (and weight) you can almost do tilting motions with the finger tips (without the need of your palms).
Anyhow, I get the impression people are just looking for excuses to bash the Wii and any/every game in order to propogate negative press and such. The fact that folks jump on a stupid 7/11 promotion and start rumours that go throughout the net is proof. I really don't understand the hate but it's what's killing our beloved industry.
Dux @ Aug 5th 2006 3:42PM
"I bet you that the Wii will probably be about as successful as the DS has been. People don't want simple games, they want more power and better graphics. That's the reason the DS hasn't been more popular..."
Wow I guess your suggesting that the Wii is going to sell twice as much as the PS3 and 360, considering that the DS has sold more than the PSP right?
Chris @ Aug 5th 2006 3:43PM
While some may say the game looks really "irresponsive" I can't notice a delay much more than a third of a second any difference than lets say a racing wheel used for an arcade unit. I really doubt it would be anything that noticeable in the game. So far, this game seems to shaping up quite nicely. While the graphics don't really look too impressive in still shots, I'm really impressed by the sense of speed Toys For Bob has pulled off. I'm sure if you looked at still screenshots for F-Zero GX or SSX it wouldn't look that impressive. Looks like its the worthy change that the Tony Hawk franchise has needed.
exy @ Aug 5th 2006 3:59PM
Undoubtedly I am a Wii fan, yet this game is a sore confirmation of my largest fear for this console.
Does applying the Wiimote into launch titles detract from the requisite ammounts of content in these games?
When the PS2 launched, one of the first games I purchased was SSX, a game not wholly unlike the above Tony Hawk. In comparison, the graphics are near par, if not worse for Wii, while content (menus/maps) is lackingly disappointing.
Is the rush to put out launch titles to blame? Perhaps, but I would still note this as a red flag. Future developers take note! The high demand for excellent and exorbinant content prioritizes cheezy Wiimote functions. Don't think this new controller allows you to slack off!
CapitalJigga @ Aug 5th 2006 4:00PM
Im a little concerned on how unresponsive the game looks. He was really tilting that controller and it didnt reflect what happend on screen. im a bit worried
Babylonian @ Aug 5th 2006 4:14PM
Character design reminds me of Guitar Hero.
Level design reminds me of Kirby Air Ride.
I really have no idea what to think of this. I would've preferred a more standard Tony Hawk game with Wiimote controls as seen in the video. Oh well.
And to anyone worried about responsiveness: If the Wii was that unresponsive, we would've heard about it at E3. If there is any visible problem in this video, it's on the game's end, not the system's.
misasfasise @ Aug 5th 2006 4:15PM
Where is the speaker on the wii-mote?
DG @ Aug 5th 2006 4:18PM
Without real-time weapon change, this game doesn't have a chance.
Actually, comparing the way he was using the controller versus the Warhawk PS3 E3 demo was prety comforting. I thought he looked incredibly in control -- no sudden movements, able to perform pretty intricate controls (tricks while streering without using many buttons to me looks pretty hard), and not crashing constantly.
Graphics are what we expected. So it goes.
Rare Hare @ Aug 5th 2006 4:22PM
I don't care what you people say, this game actually has me interested. This may be an unexpected purchase for me in the near future.
BMWM3P @ Aug 5th 2006 4:34PM
What a piece of crap, looks like your revolutionary control is not as fun as you wiitards think. Those graphics are horrible not even good for current gen. Nintendo is shortchaging you with the wii, you're getting a gamecube with a remote control for 250.00 and you wiitards think is cheap. All of you who buy the wii are going to regret spending 250+ on this piece of crap, when you could've saved your money for a PS3.
bobosmak @ Aug 5th 2006 5:12PM
First off a few things:
1. That is an early devkit remote. It is grey, has a cord (no battery compartment), and lacks the speaker. It is also smaller than the ones at E3.
2. This may seem far fetched, but maybe the person in the video wasn't really playing the game and just mimicking what it would look like when using the remote with the game (like he was moving based off a pre-recorded video of in-game footage).
At E3, it took some time to get used to how responsive the remote really was, hyper-responsive even. And looking at the video it does look 'unresponsive'.
I'd really like to know how many who bash the Wii and post on these sites have ever had a chance to mess around with some of the games.
nick @ Aug 5th 2006 5:15PM
The gameplay looks simplistic. You're moving down, and you simply control left, right, or jump.
jOEfRO @ Aug 5th 2006 5:19PM
I'm noticing lots of Sony fanboys here today, and also why are most of you just pointing out the bad things from this video when:
1. Its a YouTube video, bad quality.
2. The gameplay is supposed to be simply, thats the point of Wii.
3. Its just a development video, so nothings final.
People really need to stop looking for things to complain about and notice some of the good things in simple development videos.
Dr.Swiss @ Aug 5th 2006 5:23PM
Thanks nambit, for one of the only comments actually worth reading. And you're right, the IGN videos are way better then that.
And thanks BMWM3P, for showing us how much a loser you are. Someone who has "wiitard" in their vocab is in serious need of pity-love.
GSI @ Aug 5th 2006 5:43PM
...another obvious reason why this is an early video is b/c the newer SDK systems are in fact black.
TC @ Aug 5th 2006 6:38PM
I'm sure all the Scottish Tony Hawks fans are looking forward to playing in Eedinburrow! And the guy that says "Product not yet rated" at the start takes his job way too seriously.
Also, anyone else think that 'for the Wii' sounds a bit like FTW? No, Just me then.
Patrick @ Aug 5th 2006 6:52PM
Why is everyone judging the Wii off of a YouTube.com video? Also why is everyone Judging the Wii over a Tony Hawk game? Thirdly, why do so many people care about graphics?
I'm not worried about the Wii, Nintendo has always released the best games, even if their console wasn't the best selling one. Who can argue with that? It was even posted here on Joystiq a few days ago.
I actually wouldn't be surprised if the Wii outsold The 360 and the PS3 at their current prices.
Ginger Nathan @ Aug 5th 2006 7:02PM
Just watched the hi-res video at IGN, and it looks pretty good; it's certainly not going to get any beauty awards but it's certainly not ugly.
I don't think the person holding that controller is actually playing the game for two reasons, firstly all of the over sensitivity reports from E3 and secondly if it was that unresponsive then the skater would be constantly crashing.
Whether or not this will be a great addition to the Wii catalogue or just a Wii game with Wiimote controlls tacked on for the sake of it (in the same way that the majority of third party games for the DS started off as) only time will tell. I can say one thing though from watching the video I'd certainly like to have a go and find out for myself.
Jon @ Aug 5th 2006 7:05PM
"Looks barely like an xbox 1 game"
Who cares? Seriously.
Most of the world has woken up to the fact that graphics do not make a game and that gameplay is far more important. A fact that is proved by the fact that the DS has been kicking the PSP's ass in terms of sales all over the world.
Most of the wii games I have seen look like they have gameplay in spades and some games like Red Steel look like they have great graphics too!
Personally when I look at this video I think "wow! it's SSX on a skateboard with the Wiimote" , how can this game not be good ?
Ethan @ Aug 5th 2006 7:35PM
I sit just me, or does it look like the controller is incredibly unresponsive? It looks like he moves the remote, and then 2 seconds later the player starts to turn.
iceatcs @ Aug 5th 2006 7:55PM
looking at IGN verison and still not happy :S
No widescreen too! that's too bad!
idioteraser @ Aug 5th 2006 8:15PM
The games have different layers of sensitivity. COuld easily have been prerecorded footage with the developer just showing off the motions. Or the sensititivty was turned down low in order to show the motions better. Someone doing it real fast wouldn't be as educational on how the move system worked would it?
Seriously youtube has horrible quality videos to preserve bandwidth. It's captured by a video camera video cameras always have certain quirks when capturing footage off a tv set. Ever wonder why often computer screens flicker like mad when shown on a tv news broadcast? Well video games have the same type of problems. It's why preview footage released from a developer shown off in high or normal quality is always a direct feed and not a tv screen.
Any xbox 360 or PS3 game footage looks like crap on youtube and if you saw someone play a game with those controllers you would be also seeing huge lag.
Moogle @ Aug 5th 2006 8:18PM
I just watched it a few times to check what everyone's saying about responsiveness. I'm not convinced either way.
I think it's really deceptive to compare controls to game mechanics. It's not what you do when you're playing the game. Not to mention you can see the hand motions more clearly than you would a thumb on an analog stick, so it's not something people are used to watching.
Watching the gameplay, he seems to be able to handle it just fine, and if I tried to play along, it made his motions seem a lot more realistic. I can't say it's good, but it's certainly not atrocious like some people are claiming.
I think this is why Nintendo was so adamant about 'playing is believing'. You CAN'T judge it from just watching, now matter how much you believe so. Like playing music backwards, when you experience something that doesn't make sense, you just interpret it according to your preconceptions.
The game on the whole looks pretty good, but I'm generally not interested in skating games. I could see picking this up if I happen to love Excite Truck more than I expect and don't have anything better to play.