SSX Screenshots

Ship Date: Fall 2000

EA SPORTS presents its first original PlayStation 2 console title, SSX. Based on the new extreme sport Boardercross, SSX combines high-speed snowboard racing with insane big air tricks on what is best described as an exaggerated snow covered motocross track. In this knock out style of competition, resplendent with jumps, steep turns, tunnels, and hidden shortcut sections, six racers soar down the hill, but only the first one down wins.

Three different gameplay modes will allow riders to test their skills in a variety of exciting boarding events. Feel like brushing up on some tricks and generally goofing off? Freeride is the way to go. Does a quick competition sound good? Single Event is the answer. World Circuit is the season long fight to the finish. Riders must progress through an array of different events, ultimately leading up to the Championship Invitational Event.

Seven different SSX courses that stretch the barriers of reality will provide a wide-array of challenges for the beginner to expert boarder. Want to burn down an iceberg in the South Pacific? SSX offers the "Aloha Ice Jam" venue, which is just that: an iceberg towed into an island port for the purpose of being carved up by snowboards. What about tearing it up on a virtual pinball machine-type mountain? SSX has that too in the "Tokyo Megaplex," where boarders must maneuver through moving ramps, flippers, opening and closing doors, all set in an exaggerated version of Japan's indoor snowboard and skiing parks.

In order to participate in any of this mind-boggling action, the player must first choose one of the four International racers to strap onto the board and do their bidding down the mountain. Each character is completely unique, with its own specialties. Pull tricks and big air to fill your Adrenaline Bar, but be careful not to let it run out, or you will likely be found facedown in the snow and out of the race.

Matching the fast paced action of SSX is the game's soundtrack. Mix Master Mike of the Beastie Boys and Rahzel of the Roots recorded the game's theme song in their first joint recording at EAC's state-of-the-art recording studio. One key element of the sound track is variety. No longer will players have to listen to the same music over and over again. The soundtrack in SSX is totally interactive with the gameplay. As a rider pulls off one big trick after another the pace of the music will keep up, providing an original musical score every time.

Developed by Electronic Arts Canada, SSX will be released in the United States and Canada in conjunction with the North American launch of Sony's highly anticipated PlayStation 2 console.