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Platform: Playstation 2 Genre: Extreme Sports Publisher: Beuna Vista Developer: Toys for Bob ESRB: E (Everyone) Released: September 2003
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Disney's Extreme Skate AdventureScore: 8.8 / 10 (*Subtract 2.3 points if you're NOT looking for a kids game)
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Pros: - Great for the pre-pubescent crowd - Unlockable characters and a variety of skating environments - Skater creation - Multiplayer action - Based on the solid Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 engine
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Cons: - Music is banal - Anyone with THPS4 experience will blow through this
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Related Links: Review: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 (PS2) Interview: Paul Rieche III, Toys for Bob Q&A
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"It comes as a shock that Toys For Bob didn’t adapt music from the films that are used as the source material..."
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If the title isn’t enough to clue you in, Disney’s Extreme Skateboarding Adventure (DESA) is aimed at the pre-teen crowd – for kids that may have wanted to play Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 (THPS4) but were denied by parents. For teens and older, or anyone that has conquered THPS4, DESA can be beaten in an afternoon.
The controls and engine (based on THPS4) have been simplified to make it easier to pull off combos and stay on your skateboard. Scoring a 200,000-point combo takes little effort if you mastered THPS4; however, if you’re between the ages of 4 and 10 you’ll completely dig it because you won’t get too frustrated (particularly with the GameCube’s smaller controller). The objectives (handed out by other characters) usually fit with the environments you’re skating in, but you’ll still do the traditional collect S-K-A-T-E and attempt high scores. None of the goals are particularly mind-blowing but they present solid challenge for younger gamers, which is great because then they can unlock levels at a ready pace (without having to ask you for help). Everything about this title is kid friendly, except for the music. It comes as a shock that Toys For Bob didn’t adapt music from the films that are used as the source material for the game: Toy Story, Lion King, and Tarzan. With all of the winning musical scores, you’re telling me that "Get a Clue" by Simon & Milo is somehow a better fit? Apparently, yes. The tunes include "Pacific Coast Party" by Smash Mouth and "Where's Your |
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Head At" by Basement Jaxx but I wouldn’t particular describe any of them as appropriate – not for any objectionable lyrics but because they just don’t fit. It’s a crying shame that Disney’s massive music library wasn’t tapped.
Something that Toys For Bob got spot on is the character selection. From each featured movie there are four playable characters, two at the outset and two unlocked as you complete the goals in that environment. Some goals are character specific. For example, only Buzz can defeat Zurg so there’s a real reason to unlock |
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the skaters and explore each level completely with each character. Other skaters include Jessie, Mala, Simba, Timon & Pumbaa, young Tarzan and a couple of real kids. (“Real” because they’re based on a couple of kids that tried out to star in the game.) The environments offer plenty of opportunity to perform tricks, some more than others. Pizza Planet is a lot of empty space, but Olliewood is packed with objects to grind and trick off of. My favorite level is the opening one: Andy’s Room. You can almost grind from one end of the room to the other and make a good vertical climb.
As should be expected, DESA is extremely bright and colorful, except, of course, on levels that are supposed to be dark, like the Elephant Graveyard. The animation is great! Each character has received much attention to ensure their faithfulness to the movies. Timon & Pumbaa are probably the best example. The range of moves are awesome and completely hilarious to my 4-year old son, particularly when they crash and Pumbaa peels Timon off his butt. Every character has received the same attention with their own lip tricks and aerials. If you tire of the pre-fab characters you can exercise your creativity by creating your own skater. The palette of options – pants, hair, etc. – might seem a little on the skimpy side but they can be filled out by unlocking extra items as you complete level goals. DESA also features a multiplayer option, which is great if you have more than one kid or want to play a game with your kids that you can both get something out of. There aren’t too many videogames that can do that. If you’re a hardcore extreme sports fan, Disney’s Extreme Skateboarding Adventure will probably have you bored to tears in within an hour. However, if you have kids or younger siblings (girl or boy) in the house, it fits the bill as a challenging, entertaining, kid-friendly game. - Omni (November 9, 2003)
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