Shaun White Skateboarding is a game that makes it really simple for almost anybody to feel like a cool skateboarder. But even though it’s easy to perform basic skating movies and progress through the game, more skilled gamers will also enjoy being able to combine button presses and joystick moves to perform even more complex skating moves.
Using the Xbox controller, players will skate around a drab, gray world that is controlled by something called the Ministry, a fictional group that preaches uniformity and order. As players skate through the world using the joystick to steer and the A button to jump and grind on objects, they will begin to add color to the world, and start liberating people from their drab grayish existence.
The game slowly ramps players up into more difficult moves and maneuvers, which involve rotating, grabbing and performing “vert transfers,” but the simple skate and jump mechanic will still be able to progress you through most of the game.
Throughout levels, there are also areas where you can jump and create your own “skate park” elements, such as floating rails to grind on and magical quarter-pipe vert ramps to pull tricks on.
Even though the game starts out very monotone and gray, the game is really very colorful, and as you have more and more success, becomes even moreso.
Also, before you even play the single-player mode, gamers have the option to take part in any of the game’s multiplayer modes, which are combination of different playstyles that can be played competitively. In one of the modes, skaters will battle to try and take control of more of the skatepark, while in another it’s a battle see who can score more points.
Shaun White Skateboarding is a surprisingly accessible skateboarding game that seems perfect for parents to enjoy with their tweens or teens. It’s fun enough and colorful enough that it’s enjoyable to watch one player play through the story campaign mode, but there are also lots of cool multiplayer modes for some spirited head-to-head competition.
*FamilyFriendlyVideoGames.com Favorite* - This was one of our favorite family-friendly video games we saw at the E3 video game trade show in Los Angeles in June. Here's what we had to say about it then:
In Shaun White Skateboarding, you control the game’s main character on their skateboard with the standard controller. If you wanted to, you’d be able to complete the game by simply steering with the joystick and using only one button, but more advanced players will easily be able to pull off stunts and more advanced tricks with a few additional button presses.
However, this game isn’t just about skateboarding, it’s really more about skateboarding as an art medium that affects how you can view and affect your surroundings. According to the game’s developers, everything in the game is an opportunity to interact with the environment.
The single player mode is a quest to bring the world back to life by skating through it. The storyline gives you purpose, and then multiplayer mode sees you take what you learned and play in either a head-to-head or cooperative environment.
We spoke with the designers at the annual E3 video game trade show in Los Angeles in June, and they assured us that they are developing this game to appeal to gamers of many different skill levels. They know that families may have different family members of different age groups, and their goal is to create a game that will appeal to a broad range of ages and types of gamers.
From what we’ve seen, Shaun White Skateboarding looks like it will be a skating game that is accessible enough for almost anyone to play, yet will also contain more than enough depth to hold even a serious skater’s interest.
INFORMATION FROM COMPANY FACT SHEET
Shaun White Skateboarding, a game that puts an innovative twist on the action-sports genre, is the latest offering in the award-winning franchise developed in collaboration with dual-sport super-athlete, Shaun White. The most ambitious installment yet, Shaun White Skateboarding brings all the sensations of skateboarding to a wide audience, making skate dreams possible and allowing players to transform a dull, lifeless city into an extraordinary skating utopia.
Players will discover a deserted city, empty except for a few holdouts who are thrilled to have the city to themselves. Through their skating players can transform the dull and gray city into a thriving metropolis by extending handrails into endless grinds, carving alleys into half pipes, morphing streets into ramps and much more. Forgotten plazas will turn into ultimate skating spots, and unlikely areas (like a train station or amusement park) will become skating playgrounds. Shaun White, with the help of our resident DJ, will guide players from the beginning, finding fresh spots to skate and spinning tunes. Shaun White Skateboarding empowers skaters to push the limits of what’s possible.
Key Features
Transformation – a creativity-driven gameplay innovation – Discover incredible skate lines using everyday structures. Twisting rails take you to dizzying heights, fountains empty to create bowls, epic quarter pipes turn plazas into playgrounds and so much more. With over 150 transformations, players will create new areas with better skate lines. Creativity is rewarded with points, gear, money and new skating opportunities.
Explore and discover a world full of skateboarding potential – Meet up with some old friends from Shaun White Snowboarding to transform skate spots into a playground you’ve only dreamed about. The city is stretched over massive districts with tons of challenges to complete, including race, collect, narrative missions and more. With over 100 pieces of gear and goodies plus wacky costumes to collect throughout the game, every challenge offers something new.
Transform and compete with multiplayer – With dedicated co-op and head-to-head modes, challenge up to 3 of your friends in split-screen. Master the over-the-top Big Air and Big Bowl modes where you’ll need all of your skate skills to fight vertigo and knock your opponents out of the competition. See how you stack up against players from across the world using online leaderboards.
Ride like the pros – With 80+ skate tricks hand-picked by Shaun White (including a Shaun creation called the “Armadillo”), enjoy a unique and fun gameplay experience where you can transform the city while pulling off authentic skate moves. In addition to core tricks, you’ll learn signature moves that defy gravity and push the limits of each character. Each map
guarantees a wide variety of new areas to test your skills, opportunities to compete with friends and/or just cruise around in free-ride.
Experience all the sensations of skating on Wii Balance Board – Like the sensations of snowboarding in Shaun White Snowboarding, players are once again immersed in the action with the Wii Balance Board™ accessory from Nintendo. Use the Wii Balance Board to jump, grind and take on challengers in the Big Bowl – all from your living room!