The Simpsons Skateboarding

Last updated
The Simpsons Skateboarding
The Simpsons Skateboarding PS2.jpg
Developer(s) The Code Monkeys
Publisher(s) Electronic Arts
Fox Interactive
Artist(s) William Brand
Daniel Hughes
Paul Hunter
Writer(s) Tim Long
Matt Selman
Composer(s) Christopher Tyng
Series The Simpsons
Engine RenderWare
Platform(s) PlayStation 2
Release
  • NA: 12 November 2002 [1]
  • EU: 6 December 2002
Genre(s) Sports
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

The Simpsons Skateboarding is a sports video game based on the animated sitcom The Simpsons . It was released for the PlayStation 2 in North America on 12 November 2002 and Europe on 6 December 2002. The game was developed by The Code Monkeys and co-published by Fox Interactive and Electronic Arts (EA). The story and dialogue were written by writers from The Simpsons, with all character voices supplied by the cast. The game received generally negative reviews from critics.

Contents

Gameplay

Springfield has been converted into a skate park for the Annual Skate Tour, full of skate-able objects and landmarks from the television series. Players are able to choose one of the nine characters available and compete for the grand prize. All of the characters' voices were recorded by the actual voice actors from The Simpsons. Each character has over forty unique moves. Players can test their skills in either a two-player head-to-head skate off, or in one of the fast and furious modes: Freeskate, Skate Fest, Trick Contest, and a game of skateboard H-O-R-S-E, unlocking additional characters, locations, and skateboards. Players can also choose to learn all the skateboard moves and tricks before they begin the actual game in the Skillz School mode. [1]

Development

The Simpsons Skateboarding was developed by The Code Monkeys and published by Electronic Arts (EA Games) under license from Fox Interactive. Before EA made an official announcement about The Simpsons Skateboarding, an advertisement for the game was featured on the back page of the instruction manual for The Simpsons: Road Rage , and on in-game billboards, which was released in 2001. There were no mention of a console in the advertisement and no gameplay details were revealed. In November 2001, EA representatives said they were not ready to comment on the product. [2] On 16 May 2002, a few days before the E3 Media and Business Summit, they released their first piece of information about the game. [3] All of the characters' voices were recorded by the actual voice actors from The Simpsons. [1] [4]

Reception

The Simpsons Skateboarding received "unfavorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. [5] It was criticized for its chunky graphics, poorly recorded sound and music, lack of skateboarding tricks, and poor controls whilst the in-game dialogue were mixed.

Andrew Reiner of Game Informer said: "Never before have I seen a developer put forth such an effort to secure the Worst Game of the Year award. I'll even go as far to say that this may very well be the worst PlayStation 2 game on the market." [9] Kevin Murphy of GameSpy said that "The Simpsons Skateboarding should be a case study in bad game design." [11]

Related Research Articles

<i>The Simpsons: Road Rage</i> Vehicular combat video game

The Simpsons: Road Rage is a 2001 racing video game based on the animated television series The Simpsons, and is part of a series of games based on the show. It was released for PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube. A Game Boy Advance version was released in 2003.

<i>Tony Hawks Pro Skater</i> 1999 video game

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, released as Tony Hawk's Skateboarding in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Europe, is a 1999 skateboarding video game developed by Neversoft and published by Activision. It is the first installment in the Tony Hawk's series. It was released for the PlayStation on September 29, 1999 and was later ported to the Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color, Dreamcast, and N-Gage.

<i>The Simpsons: Hit & Run</i> 2003 action-adventure game

The Simpsons: Hit & Run is a 2003 action-adventure game developed by Radical Entertainment and published by Vivendi Universal Games. It is based on the American animated sitcom The Simpsons, and is the twenty-second installment in the Simpsons series of video games.

<i>Tony Hawks Underground</i> 2003 video game

Tony Hawk's Underground is a 2003 skateboarding video game and the fifth entry in the Tony Hawk's series after Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4. It was developed by Neversoft and published by Activision in 2003 for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Game Boy Advance. In 2004, it was published for Microsoft Windows in Australia and New Zealand as a budget release.

<i>Tony Hawks Pro Skater 2</i> 2000 video game

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 is a 2000 skateboarding video game developed by Neversoft for PlayStation, Vicarious Visions for Game Boy Advance, and Natsume for Game Boy Color. Published by Activision, it is the second installment in the Tony Hawk's series of sports games, and was released for the PlayStation in 2000, with subsequent ports to Windows and Dreamcast alongside a distinct version for Game Boy Color the same year. In 2001, the game was ported to Mac OS, Mac OS X, Nintendo 64, and Xbox, alongside a separate version for Game Boy Advance. The game was later ported to Windows Mobile and Windows Phone devices in 2006 and to iPhone OS devices in 2010.

<i>Tony Hawks Pro Skater 4</i> 2002 video game

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 is a 2002 skateboarding game developed by Neversoft and published by Activision under their Activision O2 label. The game was ported by different developers to various systems. It is the fourth installment in the Tony Hawk's series. The game was released in 2002 for the GameCube, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Game Boy Advance. In 2003, it was released for Windows and Mac OS X by developer Beenox and publisher Aspyr. In 2004, a Tapwave Zodiac version was released.

<i>Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3</i> 2001 video game

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 is a 2001 skateboarding video game and the third installment in the Tony Hawk's series. It was published by Activision under the Activision O2 label in 2001 for the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Color and GameCube. In 2002, it was published for the Xbox, Game Boy Advance, Windows, Mac OS, and the Nintendo 64. It was the final official release for the Nintendo 64, the first game released for the PlayStation 2 supporting online play and was a launch title for the GameCube in North America and PAL regions.

<i>Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2</i> 2002 video game

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 is a 2002 racing video game, the sixth installment in the Need for Speed series following Porsche Unleashed (2000) and the direct sequel to Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit (1998). It was developed by EA Black Box for the PlayStation 2, and a distinctly different version by EA Seattle for GameCube, Xbox, and Microsoft Windows. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 features cars from various high-performance and exotic car manufacturers. Players can compete in races using these cars, or opt to play as a police officer and pursue speeders.

<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>SSX on Tour</i> 2005 video game

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.

<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>Aggressive Inline</i> (video game) 2002 video game

Aggressive Inline is a 2002 sports video game developed by Z-Axis and published by AKA Acclaim. The game simulates aggressive inline skating, with players completing tricks and objectives in open-ended levels. The game was released in North America for the PlayStation 2 on May 29, 2002, followed by GameCube and Xbox versions in August. A Game Boy Advance version was released by Full Fat in August 2002. The developers of Aggressive Inline aimed to innovate upon the formula of the Tony Hawk's series of extreme sports games, building on the engine and tools of the developer's previous title, Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2. The developers experimented with gameplay features, including the inclusion of open-ended level design and greater environmental interaction, an organic skill progression system, and the removal of fixed time limits, many of which had not been implemented in an extreme sports game before.

<i>The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King</i> (video game) 2003 Video game

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is a 2003 hack and slash action game developed by EA Redwood Shores for the PlayStation 2 and Windows. It was ported to the GameCube and Xbox by Hypnos Entertainment, to the Game Boy Advance by Griptonite Games, to mobile by ImaginEngine, and to Mac OS X by Beenox. The game was published by Electronic Arts. It is the sequel to the 2002 game The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

<i>Evolution Skateboarding</i> 2002 video game

Evolution Skateboarding is a sports video game released by Konami for the GameCube and PlayStation 2 in 2002. It includes several popular skateboarders such as Rick McCrank, Arto Saari, Kerry Getz, and Danny Way. There is also a create-a-skater feature and an unlockable character for every skater the player completes the game as. There are also sets of level specific songs such as a metal-remix of the Metal Gear Solid theme and a Castlevania theme after unlocking the Vampire Hunter. Levels are unlocked by beating a certain amount of objectives in a current level, such as collecting items like boots and other objects, performing tricks in certain areas of a level, and grinding a certain amount of meters. The Evolution Skateboarding engine was used in the bonus skateboarding mode included in the PlayStation 2 version of Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance in 2003.

<i>Freekstyle</i> 2002 video game

Freekstyle is a 2002 motocross racing video game for the PlayStation 2, GameCube and Game Boy Advance. There are four levels of gameplay: the circuit, a quick race, freestyle, and free run.

<i>Skate</i> (2007 video game) 2007 video game

Skate is a 2007 skateboarding video game for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and mobile phones. It was developed by EA Black Box. Two sequels, Skate 2 and Skate 3, have been released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, as well as Skate It, a spin-off for Wii, Nintendo DS and iOS platforms. In 2020, EA announced plans for a new Skate game. It received positive reviews from critics.

<i>Skate 2</i> 2009 video game

Skate 2 is a skateboarding video game developed by EA Black Box and published by Electronic Arts. The game was released worldwide in January 2009 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 after the spin-off title Skate It. It is the sequel to 2007's Skate and the third installment in the Skate series overall.

<i>Skate 3</i> 2010 video game

Skate 3 is a skateboarding video game, the third installment in the Skate series and the sequel to 2009's Skate 2, developed by EA Black Box and published by Electronic Arts. It was released worldwide in May 2010 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game takes place in the fictional city of Port Carverton, which embraces skateboarding, unlike considering it a crime in the second game. The player character goes by the alias "The Legend". After failing to "Jump The Shark", their goal becomes creating a successful skateboarding team. It is the player's goal to sell one million boards by completing challenges. The game introduced some new features including new tricks, a park builder, and "Easy" and "Hardcore" modes instead of just "Normal" mode.

<i>ESPN X Games Skateboarding</i> 2001 video game

ESPN X Games Skateboarding is a video game developed by Konami for the PlayStation 2 and Game Boy Advance. The PlayStation 2 version was released in North America on August 14, 2001, in Japan on September 20, 2001, and in Europe on January 25, 2002, while the Game Boy Advance version was released in North America on September 12, 2001, in Japan on October 25, and in Europe on November 16. The game was released as part of Konami's ESPN The Games brand.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Shred and Grind Springfield in the Simpsons Skateboarding for the PlayStation 2 From EA and Fox Interactive". Business Wire. 14 November 2002. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  2. ↑ IGN staff (27 November 2001). "The Simpsons Go Skateboarding". IGN . Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  3. ↑ Smith, David (17 May 2002). "[The] Simpsons Skateboarding (Preview)". IGN. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  4. ↑ "Here's a nostalgia inducing list of skateboard games". Magneto. 8 November 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  5. 1 2 "The Simpsons Skateboarding for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  6. ↑ Marriott, Scott Alan. "The Simpsons Skateboarding - Review". AllGame. Archived from the original on 14 November 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  7. ↑ EGM staff (January 2003). "The Simpsons Skateboarding". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 162. p. 176. Archived from the original on 14 May 2004. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  8. ↑ Taylor, Martin (1 January 2003). "[The] Simpsons Skateboarding". Eurogamer . Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  9. 1 2 Reiner, Andrew (December 2002). "Simpsons' [sic] Skateboarding". Game Informer . No. 116. p. 123. Archived from the original on 12 January 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  10. ↑ Davis, Ryan (26 November 2002). "The Simpsons Skateboarding Review". GameSpot . Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  11. 1 2 Murphy, Kevin (2 December 2002). "GameSpy: The Simpsons Skateboarding". GameSpy . Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  12. ↑ Valentino, Nick (24 November 2002). "The Simpsons Skateboarding - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 8 December 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  13. ↑ Smith, David (19 November 2002). "[The] Simpsons Skateboarding". IGN. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  14. ↑ Rybicki, Joe (January 2003). "The Simpsons Skateboarding". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine . p. 132. Archived from the original on 29 March 2004. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  15. ↑ Rubenstein, Glenn (25 November 2002). "'[The] Simpsons Skateboarding' (PS2) Review". X-Play. Archived from the original on 25 November 2002. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  16. ↑ Boyce, Ryan (25 October 2002). "[The] Simpsons Skateboarding". Maxim . Archived from the original on 24 November 2002. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
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.