SSX on Tour

Last updated
SSX on Tour
SSX on Tour.jpg
European box art
Developer(s) EA Canada
EA Montreal (PSP)
Publisher(s) EA Sports BIG
Series SSX
Platform(s) GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, PlayStation Portable
ReleaseGameCube, PlayStation 2 & Xbox
  • NA: October 11, 2005
  • EU: October 21, 2005
PlayStation Portable
  • NA: October 11, 2005
  • EU: October 28, 2005
Genre(s) Sports, Racing
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

SSX on Tour is a snowboarding and skiing game, the fourth title in the SSX series of video games for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox and PlayStation Portable. It was released in North America on October 11, 2005 and in the PAL region on October 21, 2005. The PlayStation Portable version was released in Europe on October 28, 2005. In 2007, a prequel titled SSX Blur was released, which took place between SSX 3 and SSX on Tour. The GameCube version contains Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach as playable characters. This was part of a deal Nintendo had with EA Sports to have Nintendo's intellectual properties appear in EA franchises. [1] [2]

Contents

Gameplay

The gameplay in SSX on Tour is similar to that in SSX 3 , with similar controls and the overall aims of events remaining the same - snowboard down a mountain while gaining points for various tricks that can be performed. After each trick, a player's "boost bar" builds up, and once full enables a player to perform special moves (which have been renamed from "Über Tricks" to "Monster Tricks"). Despite the similarities, numerous changes were made to the structure of races and events themselves. A new mechanic in On Tour compared to previous entries is the addition of skiing alongside snowboarding, though the gameplay of the two is fairly identical. Players can now create their own characters, selecting his/her symbol, makeup, height, clothes and hair, in addition to whether they are a snowboarder or a skier. Once created, their character can compete in official competitions (known as "Events"), or unofficial challenges known as "Shreds". Each completed event or challenge gains their character "Hype", raising their profile and moving them up the SSX charts, with the ultimate goal of reaching number one. [3]

With the focus now on custom-created characters, the original SSX cast is moved into the background slightly, appearing in various Shreds against the player, and available to play as when not on the Tour itself. In addition to seven returning SSX veterans (Elise, Mac, Kaori, Zoe, Psymon, Nate and Allegra), three new characters make an appearance: Tyson, Sid and Skye. In the GameCube version, Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach appear as playable characters, and the level "Last Call" was renamed to "Nintendo Village", with Mario -themed iconography replacing certain textures in the level. Unlike its predecessor, SSX3, no online play was included on any of the versions of SSX On Tour. The main focus was on improving the single-player story mode, implementing the character-creation system, working on new levels, and implementing skiing. [2]

The PSP version also differs greatly from the main console versions, with limited customization to custom-characters and levels borrowed from SSX 3. It also has omitted the use of bonuses when doing Monster Tricks.[ citation needed ]

This game is presented in the style of a sketch-book, a new direction for the SSX series. The cover artwork as well as the in-game menus are all shown in sketch formats, simplistic images often on a lined background. The special in game collectibles, displayed as snowflakes in previous SSX games, have been replaced with sketchlike doodles known as "skulvis", which were actually controversial within the team according to art director Rich Curren. [4] "When we looked at the SSX franchise, everything was shiny and slick and felt too 'produced,'" said Curren. "We used drawings that looked like they were produced by a 15-year-old kid – not even 'good' drawings at that. We committed to this concept and it worked." [4]

Soundtrack

Like SSX Tricky and SSX 3 , SSX on Tour features a licensed soundtrack, this time with more prominence on rap, punk, rock, and alternative music styles. The focus of punk and rock is a departure from the more electronic hip-hop, breakbeat, and techno [5] focused soundtracks of previous games in the series. According to art director Rich Curren, the goal of this change was to capture "something that was more reflective of snowboard and youth culture at the time: the second coming of rock." [4] He recalled the move was initially met with "a lot of blank stares" but after initial tests proved the music was getting the highest reception of anything in the game, they ran with the new direction. [4]

Tracks used on the menu screens are instrumental versions of the ones used during races. Much like previous entries, the soundtrack dynamically fades out when doing certain actions, such as boosting or getting big air off a jump. In addition, when performing "Monster Tricks" during an event, the music will fade away, to be replaced with the sound of the wind whistling as the player cuts through the air. Upon hitting the ground again, the music cuts back in. The main song used in the intro is Iron Maiden's Run to the Hills. [6]

Reception

The game received "favorable" reviews on all platforms according to video game review aggregator Metacritic. [7] [8] [9] [10] In Japan, Famitsu gave the GameCube and PS2 versions a score of one nine and three eights, bringing it to a total of 33 out of 40; [14] for the PSP version, the same magazine gave it a score of three eights and one seven, while Famitsu Cube + Advance also gave the GameCube version three eights and one seven, both for a total of 31 out of 40. [14]

Awards and nominations

Awards

Nominations


Related Research Articles

<i>Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005</i> 2004 video game

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 is a sports video game developed by EA Redwood Shores for the GameCube, Xbox and PlayStation 2 versions, Headgate Studios for the Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X versions, Sensory Sweep Studios for the Nintendo DS version and EA Canada's Team Fusion division for the PlayStation Portable version and published by EA Sports for GameCube, Microsoft Windows, Xbox, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable and Mac OS X. An N-Gage version was planned but never released.

<i>SSX 3</i> 2003 snowboarding video game by EA Canada

SSX 3 is a snowboarding video game developed by EA Canada and published by Electronic Arts under the EA Sports BIG label. The game was originally released on October 21, 2003, for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube. It was later ported to the Game Boy Advance by Visual Impact on November 11, 2003, and to the Gizmondo by Exient Entertainment on August 31, 2005, as a launch title. It is the third installment in the SSX series.

<i>NBA Live 2003</i> 2002 video game

NBA Live 2003 is the 2002 installment of the NBA Live video games series. The cover features Jason Kidd as a member of the New Jersey Nets. The game was developed by EA Canada and released on October 8, 2002 for the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube consoles and November 14, 2002 for Microsoft Windows. It was the last NBA Live game to be released on the original PlayStation. The game includes a soundtrack, which is the first video game soundtrack in history to be certified Platinum by the RIAA, selling over 1,300,000 copies worldwide.

<i>Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004</i> 2003 video game

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 is a sports video game developed by EA Redwood Shores for the GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions, Headgate Studios for the Microsoft Windows version, and Backbone Emeryville for the Game Boy Advance and N-Gage versions, and published by EA Sports for GameCube, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Game Boy Advance and N-Gage.

<i>Madden NFL 06</i> 2005 video game

Madden NFL 06 is an American football video game released in 2005. It is the 16th installment of the Madden NFL series by EA Sports, named for color commentator John Madden.It is the first Madden game for the PlayStation Portable and Xbox 360 and was a launch game for the 360. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb is on the cover.

<i>MVP Baseball 2005</i> 2005 video game

MVP Baseball 2005 is a baseball video game developed by EA Canada and published by EA Sports. It features the Boston Red Sox left fielder, Manny Ramirez, on the cover. The game features the full Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball, and Major League Baseball Players Association licenses. As with previous versions of the game, the announcers are Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow, the real-life announcers for the San Francisco Giants.

<i>SSX Tricky</i> 2001 video game by EA Canada

SSX Tricky, also known as SSX 2 or SSX 2: Tricky, is a snowboarding video game, the second game in the SSX series published by Electronic Arts under the EA Sports BIG label and developed by EA Canada. A direct sequel to SSX, the game was originally released in 2001 for PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox, It was later ported to the Game Boy Advance in October 2002. SSX 3 followed in 2003.

<i>Mat Hoffmans Pro BMX 2</i> 2002 video game

Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2 is a BMX video game endorsed by Mat Hoffman and published by Activision under the Activision O2 label. The game, which serves as a sequel to Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX, was released on August 13, 2002 for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. A Game Boy Advance port was developed by HotGen and released the same day as the PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions. A GameCube port was developed by Gratuitous Games and was released on October 8, 2002.

<i>NBA Live 06</i> 2005 video game

NBA Live 06 is a 2005 installment of the NBA Live series released on the Xbox, Xbox 360, GameCube, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 2 and Mobile. It was developed by EA Sports. The game features several game modes, including Dynasty, Season, Playoffs, or Free Play. It features Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat on the cover. This was the last NBA Live game on the GameCube and it also was the first NBA Live game on the Xbox 360 as a launch title and on the PlayStation Portable.

<i>Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06</i> 2005 video game

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06 is a sports video game developed by EA Redwood Shores for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox and Xbox 360 versions, Headgate Studios for the Microsoft Windows version, and Team Fusion for the PlayStation Portable version, and published by EA Sports for GameCube, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox, PlayStation Portable, and Xbox 360.

<i>FIFA Street 2</i> 2006 video game

FIFA Street 2 is the 2006 sequel to the EA Sports video game FIFA Street. A new "trick stick beat" system was introduced and new authentic tricks were also introduced. The game was released for the GameCube, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PSP, Xbox, and mobile phones. The player on the game cover is Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo.

<i>NHL 06</i> 2005 video game

NHL 06 is an ice hockey video game that was released in 2005. The game includes the Sega Genesis version of NHL '94 on the PlayStation 2 version.

<i>NHL Hitz Pro</i> 2003 video game

NHL Hitz Pro is an ice hockey video game developed by Next Level Games and published by Midway Home Entertainment, in the NHL Hitz series. It was released on September 25, 2003, for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox. Unlike the previous titles in the series, it has 5-on-5 gameplay instead of the usual 3-on-3 gameplay with the earlier titles. The game does not include penalty shots, and it is still an arcade-type hockey game like its predecessors. It also has a lot of hard hitting. The cover athlete of the game is Nicklas Lidström, and features commentary from Tim Kitzrow and Harry Teinowitz.

<i>NBA Street V3</i> 2005 video game

NBA Street V3 is a basketball video game developed by EA Canada and published by Electronic Arts under the EA Sports BIG label. It is the third installment in the NBA Street series, Originally released in February 2005 for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox consoles. It also received a port to the PlayStation Portable under the name NBA Street Showdown. Baron Davis of the New Orleans Hornets is featured on the cover of the game.

<i>FIFA Football 2005</i> 2004 video game

FIFA Football 2005, also known as FIFA Soccer 2005 in North America or simply FIFA 2005, is a football simulation video game released in 2004. It was developed by EA Canada and published by Electronic Arts. It was released for the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Microsoft Windows, Xbox, PlayStation Portable, GameCube, mobile phone, Gizmondo, N-Gage and the Game Boy Advance. The tagline for the game was: "A great player needs a great first touch". FIFA 2005 is the twelfth game in the FIFA series, the ninth in 3D and the final game in the series for the PlayStation. FIFA Football 2005 marks the first time to include the seventh-generation handheld game consoles. The Japanese version of the game went by the name of FIFA Total Football 2 and was released on 9 December 2004. FIFA Football 2005 is the last licensed game to be released for the PlayStation in North America.

<i>World Series of Poker</i> (video game) 2005 video game

World Series of Poker is a video game based on the popular gambling tournament World Series of Poker. It is succeeded by World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions and World Series of Poker 2008: Battle for the Bracelets. It was released for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, PlayStation Portable, and Windows.

<i>SSX</i> Video game series by EA Sports

SSX is a series of snowboarding video games published by EA Sports. SSX stands for Snowboard Supercross. The series introduced skiing with its fourth installment SSX on Tour. The creator of the series, Steve Rechtschaffner, is the inventor of the Olympic snowboarding event boardercross. SSX was a launch title for both the EA Sports Big brand and the original PlayStation 2.

<i>Tak: The Great Juju Challenge</i> 2005 video game

Tak: The Great Juju Challenge is a platform video game developed by Avalanche Software and published by THQ for the GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2 and Xbox in 2005. It is the sequel to Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams and the third installment to the Tak and the Power of Juju series.

<i>NFL Street 2</i> 2004 video game

NFL Street 2 is an American football video game developed by EA Tiburon and published by Electronic Arts under the EA Sports BIG label. It was originally released for the PlayStation 2, GameCube and Xbox on December 26, 2004. It features then-New York Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey and rapper Xzibit on the cover. The game is compatible with Madden NFL 06, as players can import their Own The City players to it. The game's compatibility also extends to other EA games like Need for Speed: Underground 2, SSX 3, Madden NFL 2005, NCAA Football 2005, NFL Street, GoldenEye: Rogue Agent, NBA Live 2005, and NBA Street Vol. 2, where if players have these games on their memory cards, they can earn 25,000 points in the game.

References

  1. ↑ Torres, Ricardo (August 26, 2005). "SSX On Tour Character Spotlight: Mario, Luigi, and Peach". GameSpot . Archived from the original on April 16, 2014. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  2. 1 2 Castro, Juan (August 26, 2005). "Mario Joins SSX On Tour". IGN . Archived from the original on March 11, 2012. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  3. ↑ Clayman, David (2021-11-01). "SSX On Tour". IGN. Archived from the original on 2022-01-12. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Wyman, Michael Thornton (2012-11-12). Making Great Games: An Insider's Guide to Designing and Developing the World's Greatest Games. CRC Press. pp. 151–154. ISBN   978-1-136-13238-4. Archived from the original on 2023-05-05. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  5. ↑ SSX Tricky - The Making of - Music, archived from the original on 2022-01-13, retrieved 2022-01-12
  6. ↑ Surette, Tim (September 12, 2005). "EA Tracks SSX on Tour". GameSpot. Archived from the original on January 3, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  7. 1 2 "SSX On Tour for GameCube Reviews". Metacritic . Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  8. 1 2 "SSX On Tour for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  9. 1 2 "SSX On Tour for PSP Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 4, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  10. 1 2 "SSX On Tour for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 EGM staff (December 2005). "SSX On Tour (GC, PS2, Xbox)". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 198.
  12. ↑ EGM staff (December 2005). "SSX On Tour (PSP)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 198. p. 174.
  13. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (October 20, 2005). "SSX On Tour (PS2)". Eurogamer . Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Gantayat, Anoop (November 28, 2005). "Now Playing in Japan". IGN. Archived from the original on July 12, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  15. 1 2 Reiner, Andrew (November 2005). "SSX On Tour (PS2, Xbox)". Game Informer . No. 151. p. 140. Archived from the original on February 18, 2006. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  16. ↑ Helgeson, Matt (December 2005). "SSX On Tour (PSP)". Game Informer. No. 152. p. 190. Archived from the original on June 22, 2008. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  17. 1 2 3 Johnny K (October 24, 2005). "SSX On Tour (GC, PS2, Xbox)". GamePro . Archived from the original on November 24, 2005. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  18. 1 2 3 Gee, Brian (October 26, 2005). "SSX On Tour Review (GC, PS2, Xbox)". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on September 15, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  19. ↑ Davis, Ryan (October 11, 2005). "SSX On Tour Review (GC)". GameSpot. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  20. 1 2 Davis, Ryan (October 11, 2005). "SSX On Tour Review (PS2, Xbox)". GameSpot. Archived from the original on October 26, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  21. ↑ Ekberg, Brian (October 17, 2005). "SSX On Tour Review (PSP)". GameSpot. Archived from the original on October 19, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  22. ↑ Tuttle, Will (October 14, 2005). "GameSpy: SSX On Tour (GCN)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  23. ↑ Tuttle, Will (October 14, 2005). "GameSpy: SSX On Tour (PS2)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  24. ↑ McGarvey, Sterling (October 27, 2005). "GameSpy: SSX on Tour (PSP)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  25. ↑ Tuttle, Will (October 14, 2005). "GameSpy: SSX On Tour (Xbox)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  26. 1 2 3 "SSX: On Tour Review (GC, PS2, Xbox)". GameTrailers. October 29, 2005. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  27. ↑ Bedigian, Louis (October 20, 2005). "SSX On Tour - GC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on January 25, 2009. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  28. ↑ Knutson, Michael (October 17, 2005). "SSX On Tour - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on January 25, 2009. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  29. ↑ McIntyre, Nathan "Eint" (November 8, 2005). "SSX On Tour - PSP - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on December 31, 2008. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  30. ↑ Romano, Natalie (October 30, 2005). "SSX On Tour - XB - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on January 16, 2009. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  31. 1 2 3 Clayman, David (October 10, 2005). "SSX On Tour (GCN, PS2, Xbox)". IGN. Archived from the original on October 25, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  32. ↑ Clayman, David (October 10, 2005). "SSX On Tour (PSP)". IGN. Archived from the original on March 18, 2007. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  33. ↑ "SSX on Tour". Nintendo Power . Vol. 198. December 2005. p. 111.
  34. ↑ "SSX On Tour (PS2)". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine . December 2005. p. 114. Archived from the original on July 7, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  35. ↑ Pfister, Andrew (February 2006). "SSX On Tour (PSP)". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Archived from the original on June 20, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  36. ↑ "SSX on Tour". Official Xbox Magazine . December 2005. p. 118.
  37. ↑ Schaefer, Jim (October 23, 2005). "BAREBONES, BUT A BLAST". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  38. ↑ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details SSX On Tour". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences . Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  39. ↑ "2006 Awards Category Details Outstanding Achievement in Soundtrack". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences . Retrieved 27 October 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.