I've played both the PS2 and Xbox version of Tricky. The button layout is better on the PS2, but the PS2's analog stick is crap, plus it's in an awkard spot on the controller. I found switching between steering and winding on the Xbox MUCH easier. Now on Tricky for the Xbox I think they re-arranged all the tricks so it used a 3 button system instead of 4, using L, R, and Y, with X for tweaks. Now in SSX 3 they switched it up a bit.. now it's using a full 4 button grab system like the PS2 version. R, X, Y, and B are your grabs and L is for your tweaks. If you've played the Xbox Tricky it'll take a minute to rearrange, but I've found the controls to be excellent either way. I would give the PS2 version a slight advantage for the 4 shoulder buttons, but that's not saying the Xbox version is hard to control (because it's still great).

BTW, I am also in love with the rail tricks!! AWESOME!!

There is slowdown in all versions. Not sure how bad it is in the Xbox or GC version though, I would assume the framerate is possibly slightly better in them. The slowdown I have noticed in the PS2 is tolerable though.

I noticed a bit of slowdown in the Xbox version on the 2nd race of peak one, where there happened to be a lot of stuff in the background. Should be no reason for it on the Xbox.

I really haven't noticed any slowdowns on the PS2 version... and I'm on Peak 3. Maybe there are and I'm just oblivious to it.


Does anyone know if there is a reward for doing all the BIG Challenges? I've completed 31 out of 40 on Peak 1, which is good enough for the Gold Medal, but it hasn't unlocked anything that I'm aware of. I'm gonna be really pissed if I finish all 40 and nothing happens. The same goes for those little "snowflakes" that are scattered all over the place. I have a Gold Medal with those things too... and nothing to show for it.

On the "Cheat Characters" screen, there's a character that opens up if you manage to 100% the mountain.

Ohh, thanks for that news. I didn't know it was only one on one, and nothing more - that's bogus.

I may now buy it for the X-Box.

So, has anyone seen any framerate issues in SSX3? I was bothered by the bad framerate (in places) in Tricky.

Also, can you create your own character from scratch in SSX3?

Never noticed any "framerate" issues on Trick or 3, Xbox version.. and no you cannot create a character from scratch.. but with all the dress up options and strange accessories you get for the exsisting characters, there's plenty of fun to be had.

I really want this game. . .

As far as I remember, this is only the third game I've paid full price ($49.99) for this year, and the second that was worth every penny.

(BTW.. the other 2 were Zelda and F-Zero, Zelda was worth it, F-Zero would've been happier at $29.99).

I noticed slowdown on the Xbox version of SSX3 on one of the early races (I haven't played it much yet). The slowdown occured when I took a sidepath on the city level.

Awesome... thanks!

And I've noticed slowdown on the PS2 version, and I'm not even close to being done with Peak 1. But still a very good game.

The X-box version of Tricky had TONS of slowdown due to some unoptimized graphical improvements over the PS2 version.

SSX3 has very little slowdown and what there is, is not too noticeable unless you are looking for it.

Really? I never had any problems with it, and I played the living snot out of the game. I did notice the slowdown in 3 right off the bat but I never noticed any in Tricky.

Thanks, I found it.

40 BIG Challenges on Peak One alone? Holy crap. I thought I was off to a good start to find two on Peak 2. Same with demolishing the Bronze qualifying score on the Peak 1 Slopestyle run... it still only got me a Bronze.

Anyone know how to switch pipes in the superpipe (half pipe) competition. I know you can grab, but how do you move onto one of the other super pipes when they are lined up next to each other?

Do a handplant between the two pipes and lean towards the pipe you want to enter. If i explained it wrong its also in your message folder in the game it explains so much if you have any questions.

OK, I picked it up for the Xbox, but haven't opened it yet (tons of games to play right now). I'm still not fully commited to the Xbox version. I loved the PS2 controls on the last game and also, I still think the online play will add some depth. The IGN review says the graphic improvements on the xbox are minimal. What was the head-to-head results? Any insiders here?

Which version of this game are you playing? The Xbox version does not offer DTS, and there is no option to choose anamorphic. I looked for a 16X9 setting on the menu and in the manual, and it's just not there. This disappointed me because I have an HDTV, and the back of the box says the game supports 480p. I've enjoyed lots of other Xbox games in 16X9 format, but this is the second EA game I've bought that doesn't support 16X9. When is EA going to get on board?

Why does EA ignore the extra features and power of the Xbox?

I have this version and an HDTV. I thought 480p implied 16X9 (anamorphic) format so it would correctly fit a widescreen TV, but I guess I was wrong. This game is 4X3, and there is no option on the menu or in the manual to change the aspect ratio of the game. Soul Calibur II and Burnout 2 are two Xbox games that are presented in widescreen, and they automatically fit my TV correctly; I don't have to make any adjustments within the games as along as I have correctly set up the Xbox on the dashboard menu. I'd rather EA have made this game in widescreen than 4X3 progressive. I hate playing games with bars on the side of the screen or with the picture distorted from stretching it. Hell, I'd rather EA have put money and effort into making this game widescreen instead of THX certified. I can live without THX. The game still would have sounded fine in plain old in 5.1 DD. As the price of HDTVs drops and more people buy them, I think every video game should offer gamers a choice of aspect ratios.

Lowest common denominator.

They focus on the PS2 (and rightly so given it's sold in the 50-60 million range world wide with GC and X-box combined being in the 20 million range) and basically port over to the other systems.

Not to mention EA and MS don't have a good working relationship with the scuffle over online gaming.

Yeah, 480p can be either 4:3 or 16:9. However, 720p and 1080i DO imply 16:9. Read the FAQ titled "HDTV Myths, Misnomers, and Mysteries" in the DVD & Home Theater Gear Forum. An excerpt:

(from table A3 of the ATSC Digital Television Standard, Revision B):

480 interlaced (i), 4:3 aspect ratio
480 progressive (p), 4:3 aspect ratio
480i, 16x9 aspect ratio
480p, 16x9 aspect ratio
720p, 16x9 aspect ratio
1080i, 16x9 aspect ratio
1080p, 16x9 aspect ratio

This is important info that every HDTV owner and prospective buyer should know.

do the rail tricks rack up a signifficant amount of points? it seems really hard to get the gold on some of these peak 3 levels, and i'm thinking its because i'm not incorporating any rail moves? how do you pull these off? i know you grab the rail, but can you then uber out of the hold?

Do you mean other than grinding and uber-grinding on the rails? That'll net you good points, I'm pretty sure. I haven't done a grab anywhere but a pipe just to try it out.