MTV Sports: Skateboarding Review

The game features several mods, and they are all based on performing stunts. You performance will determine how many points you get. Try not to fall too often because that may severely decrease your score as a repeated stunt always gets fewer points. It would be nice to have a downhill mod, just in order to break the monotony... The single-player mods are as follows:

Freeplay - A free ride with no time limits.

Lifestyle - probably the most interesting mod in the game. You initially pick a character and then drive through the levels. If you manage to achieve a certain score in due time, you get to drive the next park.

High Score -this one isn't much different from the first two, but your only goal is to beat your own record.

Survival - you get to perform tricks along side several computer-controlled players. Depending on your skill, you get extra time. He who runs out of time loses, and the last remaining player wins the match.

MTV Hunt - you have to collect 10 MTV logos. If you succeed, MTV will grant you access to the next park. And if you manage to collect all the pieces of a board, you'll get it from the sponsors. Each time you fall you lose one part of the board.

Stunt - Very linear tracks with one big-jump ramp... You have to perform insane jumps over chasms, parked cars and similar obstacles. Very similar to big-jump mod in most snowboarding games...

Multiplayer mods include a simple trick-battle mode, a time-bomb mode, a two-player MTV icon hunt, and a deathmatch mode where you have to knock your opponent off his board. The game supports up to TWO players on a single computer (split-screen), because the developers obviously never bothered to improve the PSX code. There is absolutely no support for cable, modem, LAN or Internet connection... If you do choose to play this game with a friend, you'll need a joystick because only one player can use the keyboard...

Another nagging stupidity is only ONE savegame position. Oh, and the wheel you have to use to type your name in PSX style is not much better.

So, if you're that impatient that you simply cannot wait for Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2, you have no other choice than trying MTV sports: Skateboarding out. I sincerely think that you should wait for Tony, because the playability of the demo promises a far more serious ride. MTV Sports, on the other hand, could prove to be worthy of your attention if you're looking to play a fluffy arcade game (you know, to tide you over 'till you get your paws on Tony Hawk 2)...