3Xtreme

• Release Date: April 21, 1999
• Genre: Sports
• Style: Extreme Sports
• Similar Games: Road Rash (Sega Genesis), 2Xtreme (PlayStation), ESPN Extreme Games (PlayStation), Road Rash (PlayStation), 720° (Commodore 64/128), ESPN Extreme Games (IBM PC Compatible), Road Rash [CD-ROM Classics] (IBM PC Compatible), Road Rash (Sega Game Gear), Road Rash (Sega Saturn), Road Rash (Sega CD), 720° (Arcade), Road Rash (3DO), Skate or Die (Nintendo Entertainment System), Street Sk8er (PlayStation), Rushdown (PlayStation), Skate or Die (Commodore 64/128), Road Rash (Game Boy), Road Rash (Sega Master System)

Game Description

3Xtreme combines high-speed racing, trick performing (over 270 in all) and some hand-to-hand combat as players compete using three types of equipment: inline skates, BMX bikes and skateboards. After you choose from seven polygonal racers, each rated in strength, stamina, freestyle ability, quickness and agility, you then decide on your gear (70 models in all).

The game is played from a third-person view behind your character as you try to finish each course in as fast a time as possible. Like previous games in the series, players can earn points by passing through gates or by performing tricks (over 45 aerial moves are possible). These points can then be used to purchase additional equipment and upgrades.

Players can select a Season, Exhibition, Time Trials or Freestyle competition. The main aspect of the game is the Season mode, which is divided into three circuits spanning multiple races: the first circuit involves six races; the second lasts eight races; and the third consists of ten races. A ranking system is then used to keep track of your progress during the season. Winning circuits with different athletes will unlock additional equipment, tracks (a total of 27 courses are included) and six more characters.

Exhibition is one race against the computer or a friend on a horizontally split screen, and the Time Trials involve streaking down a course trying to hit each gate on your way to the finish line. Freestyle, as you might have guessed, involves performing as many tricks as you can within the allotted time.

3Xtreme supports the vibration function on the Dual Shock Analog Controller, offers three camera angles (close, medium or far) and uses one block of memory card data to save your season progress, unlocked features and best times.

Roots & Influences

3Xtreme is the third game in the ESPN Extreme Games series. The events found within are taken from the more popular aspects of the world of "extreme sports." It was meant to be an improvement of realistic physics and game play over its predecessors, but failed by a wide margin. Many considered it to be a regression rather than a progression.

Review: Overall

Game sequels are generally supposed to build upon the original's positive features while improving on areas that didn't quite cut the mustard. Someone should kindly tell this to 989 Studios. The Xtreme series has somehow gotten worse with every release, and after playing 3Xtreme, one has to wonder just how low the next one can go.

So what exactly is the problem? First, the controls are so unbelievably stiff that you'll spend most of the race clenching your teeth in frustration. Game play involves pushing hard on the control pad just to move your character left or right. Control pad, you say? That's right, there is no analog support! This is an inexcusable omission for any game released in 1999, especially when a simple manner of moving left or right actually hurts your thumb. Was analog support a casualty in the name of an earlier release date? It certainly appears that way.

The most faulty aspect of the control is performing hard turns, which is an essential part of racing down the twisting courses--you have to push down on the pad (or press the circle button) while simultaneously pushing left or right. The trouble with this move is that your character suddenly jerks across the screen as if you hit the return button on a typewriter. It feels sloppy and completely unrealistic.

The second problem is the slow-paced nature of the game. This is an extreme sports title, isn't it? The most fundamental part of the experience should be the sensation of speed and danger you get while riding down steep courses. 3Xtreme never feels "fast" no matter how many miles per hour the screen says you're traveling. You can't even crouch while on a board or skates to go faster!

Third is the problem of boring course design. The first game had you flying through exotic locales such as South America (complete with a temple) and through the streets of San Francisco (with moving cable cars to jump over). While there were only five tracks in total, they all had moving obstacles to avoid that added to the fun. A missed opportunity in this game is when you drive next to a zoo on one of the courses, you should be driving through the zoo while animals roam around interfering with the action!

Instead, you'll race on courses that all feel and look the same--boring gray asphalt with ugly yellow ramps and blue railings everywhere. They are there just so you can perform stunts for bonus points, which appear to be the feature the developers spent the most time on. The aerial moves are easy to pull off and look great with motion-captured animation. Unfortunately, this is primarily a racing game, and the racing part is the weakest element.

In the end, the game just isn't fun. You never get that "I can't believe I just made it through there unscathed" feeling you get from titles like Road Rash or 1995's ESPN Extreme Games. In what has been a largely disappointing year for extreme sports games (see Rushdown or Street Sk8er), this ranks as the worst of the bunch.

Review: Enjoyment

The slow movement, stiff controls, boring courses, and lackluster fighting all add up to a boring game. The emphasis is more on tricks than combat, and you can't even kick!

Review: Graphics

The players look okay but the courses are downright ugly. All are basic variations of five main courses: some you race at night and some offer slightly different paths. None of the exotic locales found in the original are in this game. The one bright spot is the motion-captured animation while jumping in the air.

Review: Sound

The game opens with an Ultraspank song (you can also see the group's video in the option screen), but the in-game music isn't very memorable. The sound effects seem muted--in fact, the game is too quiet!

Review: Replay Value

The season mode offers a lot of races, but the tracks all look the same and the game play isn't exciting. Two-player mode doesn't save the game, either.

Review: Documentation

The twenty-page manual explains the simplistic controls perfectly.

Production Credits