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Maybe it rubbed me the wrong way

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: February 04, 2006
Author: Amazon User

When Activision released Tony Hawk's Underground 2 on the Game Boy Advance, I reeled in disgust at how there weren't any real upgrades to the isometric viewpoint or the erratic control scheme or the aged visuals. I was even more disgusted that they spent so much more time not only revamping the console version for the PlayStation Portable version, but also adding additional stuff to the game. While the PSP version was indeed a fantastic game, I wondered when a Nintendo handheld would receive a fair version of the console skateboarding franchise. With Tony Hawk's American Sk8land for the Nintendo DS, of course.

Tony Hawk's American Sk8land takes some of the best elements of the console edition (American Wasteland) and transforms them into an optimized DS experience. Almost all of the console levels return to the DS game, though they have been slightly altered to accommodate the limited buttons of the DS. Rather than cram several moves into the DS's six buttons, Vicarious Visions took the series back to its roots and removed the ability to jump off of the board and walk around. They kept some of the other features, like flatland tricks and Focus Mode. They even kept graffiti in the game, though it's only used a few times during the Story mode. While it's not perfect and there are indeed some flaws, Tony Hawk fans that own a DS now have something to call their own and be proud of.

Speaking of the Story mode, once again it's the bane of Tony Hawk's existence. American Wasteland held gamers' hands and took them through a big, long training mode. American Sk8land isn't very different. Near the end of the game, some of the goals are still asking for easy combos, low point totals and easy gaps. What happened to the challenge? I know that it's possible for an experienced player to score millions of points, I'm not too shabby at this game myself, but seriously, why should I even care if the goals are asking me to score 50,000 points in two minutes? I can do it with my eyes closed. I wouldn't be so hard on the game if it didn't teach me how to manual or grind every level; with all of that training, shouldn't I easily be able to score more than 50,000 points in two minutes? C'mon guys, give us a challenge. The Story mode isn't the only one available. Classic Mode returns as well, but even it's too easy. The two-minute runs are almost too much time to collect SKATE letters that are usually nearby each other and COMBO letters that practically take your skater in a straight, easy line.

Though I'm not impressed by the actual game modes, the gameplay is as good as ever. Despite the small size of the DS's buttons (which was a problem for my larger-sized fingers), it's still pretty easy to bust out combos. I noticed a little lag time in-between my manual commands and the skater on-screen actually performing the trick, but other than that, there isn't really a problem. Vicarious Visions slightly changed the rate at which your skater spins, so aligning yourself before landing a trick is a little harder than before, but these small changes don't cause much of a problem when they're implemented into the normal feeling of the game.

What is really nice about Tony Hawk's American Sk8land is what you can see just from looking at screenshots or online videos the graphics. The graphic style is that of a cartoon or a comic book. It's cel-shaded, colorful stuff that takes advantage of the DS's capabilities. The animation is spot-on although most of the moves have been re-used from the earlier PSX/N64 games. Really, it's impressive that Vicarious Visions managed to make this game look so great in motion. The soundtrack won't get a single praise from me--it's easily the worst in the entire series, but it is impressive that they crammed a few songs onto the DS cart. Similarly, there is a lot of spoken dialogue, but most of it (especially Mindy's voice) tore my ears out and spat on them. All I can say is that if a voice actor as bad as Mindy's is ever put into a videogame, I'll never buy or play a game from that developer again. It's unfair that my ear drums should have to bleed like that.

So it has good controls, it's got pretty graphics and it's got great old-school gameplay that any Tony Hawk fan should be able to enjoy. The only thing that makes Sk8land a slight disappointment is its gameplay modes. They're too easy, too generic and too boring. Vicarious Visions (and in the console version's case, Neversoft) should really go back to the drawing board and make this skateboarding game worth my time for the next version. I'm getting pretty tired of being asked to collect someone's lost shoes. I want fun, I want innovation, and for the love of God I don't ever want Mindy again. For those of you who want a good Tony Hawk handheld game, check this out. I mean, it is at least a dozen times better than the isometric GBA games. Otherwise, it might be wise to wait for another Hawk game to skate around.

A good game,though not exactly what I expected!!!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: January 03, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Tony Hawk's American Sk8land for the DS is really just an OK game for me.The story was too simple for my taste probably because I've been playing Tony Hawk games for years.I loved Tony Hawk's Underground 2,and all the THPS games,but unfortunately,I do not adore Tony Hawk's American Sk8land the same way I did with the past Tony Hawk games.In rookie and pro mode storymode was quite easy to complete,even without "kid" mode on.The goals were very easy to beat and even if you decide what pieces to put into your skatepark,you do not have full control over the look of the park overall.Though the warehouse(what your skatepark is called)is undeniably large and a great place to skate in,it turns out gray and dull,something that I was not pleased with.

And as far as thorough customization,meaning clothes,decks,and graffiti,the game didn't do a good job either.Unlike THUG2,in this game,you have extremely minimal control over your characters looks.Yes,you do choose your skaters hairstyle and clothes,but you choose from only a few styles and colors.You can't even choose the shoes.Although this aspect is not the game itself,its nice to have to choice of things,you know what I mean?This missing component was a major dissappointment for me.

But this game doesn't dissappoint me entirely.I enjoyed skating in all seven levels,levels that were pretty large and detailed.In the console version of this game,the levels are maintained in the DS,so the look of the game isn't that different.Anyways,with kid mode on,you can easily pulls off tricks,including the 900,a trick that was considered a special in pat console games.Having the freedom to skate and perform tricks to your liking was an aspect of the game that I really enjoyed.The control are pretty simple too.Doing tricks that would be hard to perform on the console version(for some,including myself),such as handstands,other manuals(pogos,etc.)and backflips are much easier to control.This game also allows you to perform specials from the touch screen.You simply press an icon and a special is immediately performed.There's a total of nine specials that can be performed from the touch screen that require no controls at all.As far as the graphics,the cel-shaded animated of the game is very unique and refreshing.A creative though not superb alternative to 3D animation,cel-shading took a bit of time for my eyes to get used to.But after a while though,I became accustomed to it,and I stopped caring about the graphics so much.Cel-shading is a very cool type of graphic for this game overall.The soundtrack is also very good though a bit short.The playlist features some great songs and even one that I've heard from another skateboarding game I've played,Grind Session to be exact.The sound quality is pretty clear for the DS as well,it was impressive might I say!!!

So all in all,I found Tony Hawk's American Sk8land to be an enjoyable though not thorough game.The missing aspects of the game were dissapointing,but there are enough pros to outnumber the cons.This game is compatible with Nintendo wi-fi as well,though only two players,something I dislike greatly.But overall,this is a fun,easy,and casual game.It's a fun game that has a fair story mode but fierce classic mode.Something for every kind of Tony Hawk fan,new and old.I guess I could say I would recommend this game if you're a Tony Hawk fan as well as a newbie to skateboarding games.The DS offers a unique take on the console version game that does fail to include certain features,but those missing aspects don't ruin the game entirely,if at all to others.

The best portable Tony Hawk in a long time

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: August 29, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Many of the first few Tony Hawk games that appeared on the GBA were exceptionally good (not counting the GBA version of American Sk8land, which is pretty stale), and the debut of the long running series on the DS is no different. Tony Hawk's American Sk8land takes all the classic elements of the long running franchise and hits the ground running; featuring smooth cell-shaded graphics that give the game an animated/comic book feel to it, and they look quite good. As with other games in the series, skating areas and such can be unlocked by completing goals in various modes of play. Story mode isn't anything real special, just like in the American Wasteland console games, but the real fun is to be had with Classic Mode and Free Skate, plus with Wi-Fi capability, most of the time the game is a blast to play. There's also the option of switching the game's point of view from behind the skater to the isometric view of the GBA series, which doesn't add much to the gameplay but is a nice little feature. Vicarious Visions managed to inject some of the music tracks into the small DS cartridge, including classics from punk pioneers Black Flag and the Dead Kennedys, as well as Green Day, who can be considered pioneers in their own way (which isn't a good thing) help make the package all the sweeter. All in all, the DS version of Tony Hawk's American Sk8land is the best portable Tony Hawk in a long time, and for DS owners looking for some great skating action, look no further.

Great fun in a small package

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 8
Date: January 02, 2006
Author: Amazon User

First off, the "plot" of the story mode is utter drivel. However, don't let that get in the way of some solid gameplay. The true fun of htis game, after beating it in single mode will be had online (of course). Its the best portable version of a tony hawk game yet.

Also worth noting: this has some of the best sound on a DS game. They have complete songs from a number of current rock acts, and they all sound pretty darn good.

Best yet for DS or any other system!!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: November 02, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I own every game system out there and this is the best Tony Hawk game out of all of them. Its graphics are uncomparable with its cel-shading and the framerate is unbelievable! There are no loading times and you can go from level to level with out having to go though one menu! It is awesome, you just go to the part of L.A. with a big floating green arrow and you just skate to the next level or area. Although I practically beat this game the day I got it there is this cool feature where you can download more goals from "Nintendo Wifi Connection", this game just keeps going. The point of the game is to rebiuld this skatepark that has been abandoned and bring it back to its glory days when the pros skated there. The cool thing is that you acually buy what parts you want to biuld the skatepark your way. The game is even packed with a thirty minute sound track with real bands that are quite popular. Even all the pedestrians can talk to you with their recorded voices. And if you are a beginer there is an optional kid mode that makes landing tricks, combos, and grinds a whole lot easier. Aside from story mode there is a Classic mode that gives you a two minute timeer and a set of goals like the old GBA versions. This game is awesome and i recommend it to anyone who own a DS or plans on getting one some time soon. This is a no brainer, look no further for the best Tony Hawk game made. Just don't wait any longer the games production has been canceled and they are not making it any more. WAIT NO LONGER!! ONLY ONLINE STORES THAT STILL HAVE IT IN STOCK ARE SELLING IT!!

Good,but lacking

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 6 / 9
Date: February 11, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I've been playing Tony Hawk games for a long while.THPS,THUG-you name it.

For this game,however,I was not as impressed compared to the console version.

The graphics are different,indeed,but I prefer 3D because all Tony Hawk games have been in that format,and I've grown accustomed to it.Nonetheless,graphics are not so much a drawback but an interference with personal preference.

The game is also very easy.I practically finished this game the day I purchased it.I was upset at this quite a bit.

And customization is very limited.You have few choices in clothes and there are no create-a-modes,which I enjoyed.The wifi is also not that great with this game.It's hard to incorporate in my opinion.

I wish this game had more to it,including a better storyline and more presonalization.I liked the gameplay,but it quckly becomes tedious because there's not much to do after awhile.

Tony Hawk, really, I'm not kidding, for the DS

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: January 04, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I was impressed with this game, it feels like a Tony Hawk game that was built specifically for the DS. I have been a fan of the long running Tony Hawk series since the beginning way back on playstation one. So much of a fan in fact that I can tell you without feeling silly that I have a game informer cover on my wall with Tony Hakw's pro-skater (the tagline reads: Skateboarding Hits Interstellar Overdrive)

So what can be said about this game? Well it's got the typical game mechanics and controls of the more recent games. There are a few places where I think the game suffers in comparison to it's non-portable heritage. First, This game does not allow you to really create a skater in the same way that the others do. Sure you can make an avatar that has crazy hair and so forth but the options seem really limited. Another thing that I did not like about this game is that the create-a-skater function doesn't allow you to go in and audit your tricks. I have always been a fan of old school skating so I wanted to change the kickflip to a finger flip and so forth. But unlike it's fixed-console cousins you really can't edit the core tricks.

What is different from the consoles? Well besides the obvious cell-shaded graphics (which I think add to the games character, though fans of graphics intense machines might dispute this) and the wifi gaming community, THAS is a game that changes out the freakout system for a new DS minigame version which has players tapping three meters with their finger in order to capture the highest amount of freakout energy per bar. If you get enough, your character throws their board or breaks it or whatever, just like in Tony Hawk's Underground 2.

As for the wi-fi community aspect of the game. This game was not a huge seller, there are people competing for high scores quite a bit, but some of the players of this game are just unbelievable. There are also challenge matches (though because of the small number of players, you might have trouble getting one started). I give the wi-fi play about a 6 or 7 out of ten, it would have been better if this game had been more accessible to players. If I recall this was one of the first wi-fi titles for the DS and one of the earlier titles, had it been re-released today I think it would be more popular as wireless internet has become more popular, and there is a large market for those games on the DS now.

I would suggest you just get this game from somewhere, it can be found for around 20 dollars as it was not a big seller. Give it a test drive, if you don't like it, sell it on ebay or whatever.

Now, Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam is crap... I'll just go ahead and say that upfront, if you want a decent game, get American Sk8land while it's still available in some places. Maybe someday Activision will give the DS another THPS game, but for the time being it looks like we only have this one.

Great DS game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: July 10, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This is a great DS game top to bottom. Its got 30 minutes of real music, great cel shaded graphics and a extremely robust online gaming features. Gameplay is fun classic TH, and not a single trick has been missed, this game is PACKED with so many to master its crazy. Its length is really what you make of it, because if you want to you can make this game really long (by unlocking stuff in cheats menu) and trying to earn a spot on the online rankings.

Very pleased with the game, one of the more solid DS game releases that is honestly console quality. A must buy folks.

PERFECT!!!!!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 7
Date: December 31, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I thought this game was really fun and it worked great. I played it for hours and hours and never got tired of it. The graphics are great its the best graphics ive ever seen on a hand-held game system. So overall 5 stars no proplems. This game was PERFECT!!!

vz in ny

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 8
Date: March 19, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I bought two of these for my grandsons, one is 17 and the other is 11 and in different states. they both loved them. I won grandma points for these.

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