“1080: Avalanche”
“1080: Avalanche,” exclusively on the Nintendo Gamecube, continues where the original “1080” stopped. The new game controls still contain a level of reality as players guide their character down the slopes.
The easiest reality element to notice is speed as players slow down in light, fluffy snow and speed up on hard packed snow. The tricks also mimic real snowboarders and snow accumulates after falls and while navigating in fresh snow. The effects are not overly extravagant, but still push the limits of the game.
The game control is a bit hard to master. The tricks require more than a few flicks of the control stick. The difficulty of the side-to-side movement is abundant, especially during the slalom mode.
“1080: Avalanche” gives the player more control while on the verge of a fall with the character-balancing system. It allows players to regain control of characters before taking a big spill.
“Mario Kart: Double Dash”
“Mario Kart: Double Dash,” another Gamecube exclusive, brings another round of dramatic racing with all the favorite Nintendo characters.
The added ingredient in “Double Dash” is that two characters occupy each vehicle. The driver concentrates on winding through the new tracks while the rear passenger takes the role of enforcer, flinging the usual shells and bananas along with several special items for each character.
“Mario Kart: Double Dash” still has the few racing series and versus modes, but the strength is in the newly revamped battle mode.
The battle mode has been expanded to include three different types of battles: balloon battle, shine thief or bob-omb blast.
The balloon battle is the classic “Mario Kart” mode with the object of “popping” the three balloons circling other players while avoiding damage. In shine thief, the object is to hold onto the “shine” for a total of 60 seconds before opponents steal it away. In bob-omb blast, all the objects are bombs which can be hurled almost anywhere on the board. With each hit dished out, a star is received. A star is subtracted when players get hit. Four stars are needed to win the game.
Nintendo was able to keep an old game concept alive with “Double Dash.” The double character “karts” increase gameplay as each combination is tested. Also the game can be played by eight people simultaneously through the internet.
The controls have not changed and the tracks do not bring too many surprises, but the battle mode gives the game an added element making it worthy of buying.
“True Crime: Streets of L.A.”
The greatest game to come out this fall is “True Crime: Streets of L.A.” The star of “True Crime” is Nick Kang, a member of the Elite Operations Division of the L.A.P.D.
Because of Kang’s lethal fighting skills, he is recruited to bring down the Chinese Triad and Russian Mafia that have infested the City of Angels.
The game follows the concept of “Grand Theft Auto” with driving and street fighting elements. True Crime also has a few added elements to make the game more wide open.
Several “episodes” must be completed to rid the city of scum. During these episodes, Kang receive calls over the police radio announcing crimes in the area. These crimes can either be solved or ignored, and the original mission can be continued. Solving the crimes will earn badge points which will open up different levels.
The manner in which these episodes are completed affects Kang’s karma level, which determines if he is a bad cop or a good cop. As the level rises and falls so does the outcome of the game.
Also, if a mission is failed, it can be skipped and the game can continue to move along.
“True Crime: Streets of L.A.’s” added elements give the game a huge replay value that will provide hours of entertainment for any gamer. It is available for the Nintendo Gamecube, Playstation 2 and XBox.
“Tony Hawk’s Underground”
“Tony Hawk’s Underground” offers a new twist on the usual skating game.
In this game, challenges are completed that will guide players from the average local skater to the greatest skater in the world.
Along the way, players will be able to get off the skateboard and explore environment on foot or in a vehicle.
“Tony Hawk’s Underground” offers the opportunity to customize players, right down to their tricks in the Create-a-Trick mode. These tricks can them be tried on custom courses designed by the player.
While the story mode is clever and challenging, the trick creating feature lacks variety. The added vehicles are an attempt to jump on the popular “Grand Theft Auto” bandwagon.
While true fans of the Tony Hawk series will enjoy “Underground,” casual gamers will not be impressed. “Tony Hawk’s Underground” is available on Playstation 2, Gamecube, and XBox.
