My son loves it, he says the graphics are great, and it is fun, and it teaches you balance while you play. I also got on it a couple times, and it really was fun, and it was a minor workout!
EXCELLENT product EXCELLENT price!!! - Thank you AMAZON!!
Price COULD NOT BE BEAT. Product performs well and is still in "full-use" in our home with 3 boys (a month after Christmas and no one is tired of it)!
My son has spent the better part of his life on a skateboard. He has also played a number of skateboarding/snowboarding genre games. If your child resembles that description you have probably heard "I wish they had a skateboard controller" more times than you care. This game was the top of my son's wish list before the release date. However, this was a reluctant Christmas purchase due to the mediocre to poor reviews from numerous game and shopping sites throughout the net. I took a chance and with confidence in Amazon's return policy I went ahead with my purchase and Christmas morning (and through the remainder of the day) I was not displeased. He says this is the best skate genre game ever.
The negative reviews seem to lean toward the inability to calibrate the board, not the game play itself. Obviously if you can't get the controller to calibrate you won't enjoy the game. Calibration is required at the start of the game and after reading the reviews, I prepared for the worst. Surprise, it calibrated on the second attempt. The first attempt was disrupted by the dog, which walked right past the board during the first phase of calibration. After a lengthy first play the Wii and game board were moved into my son's room for continued play. The boy's room was a mess, the board still calibrated. We did notice the board does seem to prefer a line of sight with the sensor. The orientation does not seem to matter. We have played with the sensor lying on the floor, hanging off the shelf, stuffed in the entertainment center along with all the Wii accessories, as long as the board could "see" it, (and the dog wasn't around) the board calibrated on the first try. We did unplug other game controller sensors like Rockband's wireless guitar sensor.
Game play is excellent and the graphics are consistent with Tony Hawk games like Project 8. The game character follows the player's basic motions really well (pushing, steering, ollie & manual) with advanced tricks accomplished by covering or swiping specific sensors at the right time, the key being timing. I believe the buttons can be used for tricks but my son has been able to complete every challenge so far through motion. After moving the Wii & board from room to room multiple times and talking with my son, here a few tips to get the most from this game.
1.Position the board relative to your skate stance (goofy or regular). The buttons should be on the side your heels are on when you skate/play. You can change this in the game but we found it's best to calibrate in position.
2.Clear the space around the board. This improves the calibration success it's also just a good idea. Don't get carried away though a good 3 to 4 square feet is sufficient but if you can get more the board does tend to walk around during game play.
3.During the first phase of calibration, DON'T GO NEAR THE BOARD until it completes. Use the Wii mote to cycle through the menu and start the calibration. Don't touch it or walk around it (including pets). We have proven more than once that any moving objects around the board during this first phase can cause it to fail.
4.Follow the remaining calibration steps exactly as pictured in the game. Don't erratically raise and drop the board or cover and uncover the sensors. Wear shoes, cover the sensors fully and remain still. Again, use the Wii mote to cycle through the menus.
5.As far as game play and control, so far the board/wheel/truck selection does not seem to have an effect. The TRUCK TIGHTNESS DOES. Loose trucks will steer with less motion on the board than tight. If you're veering off course with every movement, tighten the trucks. There may be sensitivity options in the game but my son hasn't stopped playing long enough to look for them.
The game is much better than the reviews here and elsewhere. It's my sons most played Wii game now and great for days when he can't get out and skate. Experience on a real skateboard might be a plus but not required. I do believe this is for the under 18 gamer as I find it just as difficult as staying upright on a real skateboard. It is a significant investment for those not already into skating (a decent real board averages $150). I hope that additional titles will be released to utilize this controller, which will validate the cost, but with the poor reviews, I'm not sure Activision will pursue them.
"This is the best. Shipping was real fast. The game the grandkids loved it. I would recommend this to everyone."
"I purchased this for my grandson. Not only does he enjoy it but the whole family."
