SSX (2000)

This is probably one of the best early PS2-era game I've played. the game is not content-rich but what is here is more than enough, even if you're playing today. this is a get-good sort of game, where you actually need to master your controls, your landing, your moves, the track and everything in between.

You do need to be on your toes while doing this because this isn't going to be easy, however, and there are some jank in the controls that are honestly, just a product of the game's design at the time. because the game doesn't boast on content enrichment, you will find yourself spending more time getting comfortable with the controls. which is quite fair, as the game only working to provide sessioned fun, rather than a complete experience from the ground up. been playing this for over a month now actually, and I keep forgetting that the game doesn't allow you to move when you press jump. which can be very frustrating at time, because the instinct is there. again, it is forgivable because the overall product is rock solid. you'll most likely spend a 30 minutes maximum playing this, so you're not investing much other than getting good and upgrading your character. you have a small but fairly good course selection, and the overall feeling of the game is raw.

Some critique which argued about the game hindering its quality are the rubber-banding, which is observable easily after a few hours and can get quite frustrating, let alone annoying. the game also has a not so subtle loading screen that could take upwards of 2 minutes at times! might be my disk, but a lot of videos online hover at 40 seconds, and upwards of 1 minute and 30 seconds.

The reason why it is 3/5 and not 4, is not because the game is bad. far from it, but because I know if I decided to play the sequels, they will crush it. still recommend it if you come across it.