This brings back great memories...

User Rating: 9.5 | SSX 3 PS2
SSX3 Is one of the many gold treasures of my childhood, If I ever got spare time, which was normally always at the time, I would bring the PS2 to my room and play on this for hours on end.

Gameplay - As in previous SSX titles, players choose one of several characters, participate in races or trick competitions, and earn rewards. The most obvious change to the series is the location. In earlier games, individual tracks were located around the world. In SSX 3, the entire game takes place on one mountain, with three peaks and several individual runs. Runs are designated as "race", "slopestyle", "super pipe", "big air", or "backcountry" tracks, and are designed accordingly. The race tracks are connected; it is possible to board through these tracks from the top of the mountain to the bottom without stopping or reloading each track. The reward system is also revamped and improved. Although some rewards are still tied to what medals the player gets, most rewards are bought using money earned in competition or when finding hidden collectibles. Outfits, stat improvements, "cheat characters" (character models) and game art are all available.

Graphics - Graphically the game is improved over previous installments by featuring a new graphics engine which adds various visual improvements such as 'Mountain effects': special effects to the game's mountain, such as thunder. Furthermore, the game is based around a "freeroaming" architecture skin.

Sound - The soundtrack for SSX 3 is an eclectic mix of songs from different genres, including alternative, trance, electronica, drum & bass, punk, modern rock, and hip-hop. Like previous releases, the build-up of songs played during gameplay is affected by the player's momentum in landing (or failing to land) big tricks, and taking harder mountain paths. A compilation CD containing 12 of the songs from the game was also released, though it did not contain the game's title track. It contained music from artists such as Fat boy Slim, The Chemical Brothers and N.E.R.D.

Replay Value - With all the different modes, challenges and freestyle available, you will want to keep coming back to this game for more as there is definitely a hint of 'addictiveness' hidden in here. Although this is a 7 year old game, I picked it up last week and it had the potentials of a next-gen game but without the epic graphics. Correct me If I'm wrong but I think there isn't a SSX game on 360 or PS3, but I wish there was!

Score Breakdown:
Gameplay - 10
Graphics - 9
Sound - 9
Replay Value - 10

OVERALL - 9.5

If you still own a PS2 somewhere in your house, or it needs dusting down or repairing, I recommend buying this game and getting your old PS2 out and relive the memories of this awesome game! And if you don't have a PS2, BUY ONE! :D