Amped: Freestyle Snowboarding
Encyclopedia
Amped: Freestyle Snowboarding (Tenku: Freestyle Snowboarding in Japan) is an Xbox
exclusive snowboarding video game. It is the first of the Amped video game series.
Released during the Xbox's launch, Amped is a snowboarding game focused on the tricks, instead of the racing style of play given by Electronic Art
's SSX
which launched with the PlayStation 2
in the previous year. The success of Amped was solidified by the successful launch of the sequels, Amped 2
and Amped 3
.
Utilizing the Xbox's built-in hard drive, Amped allowed for entire mountains to be loaded simultaneously, permitting completely free-style runs modelled on real resorts, rather than the linear courses of other snowboarding titles.
The game also contains snowmen which you must strike down in order to advance your career mode character's explore options.
The Xbox's built-in hard drive also allows users to create a custom soundtrack using their own music, as well as listening to the 150-plus tracks already offered in the game. Users can also listen to music by genre, blocking out music they do not enjoy. There is also a button on the Xbox controller that allows users to skip past songs they don't like.
Before its release, the game was met with derision from some due to Microsoft's marketing department Photoshopping lens flare
s onto what were supposedly actual game screenshot
s. Microsoft claimed they were unintentionally passed off as screenshots of the actual game.
The game is also well known for helping to launch the career of pop punk
band Yellowcard
due to the soundtrack in-game soundtrack consisting of the complete One for the Kids album on it. As well, the manual is written in a magazine-like format.
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
exclusive snowboarding video game. It is the first of the Amped video game series.
Released during the Xbox's launch, Amped is a snowboarding game focused on the tricks, instead of the racing style of play given by Electronic Art
Electronic art
Electronic art is a form of art that makes use of electronic media or, more broadly, refers to technology and/or electronic media. It is related to information art, new media art, video art, digital art, interactive art, internet art, and electronic music...
's SSX
SSX
SSX is the first in the SSX series of snowboarding video games...
which launched with the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
in the previous year. The success of Amped was solidified by the successful launch of the sequels, Amped 2
Amped 2
Amped 2 is a sequel to Microsoft's snowboarding game Amped, which was an Xbox launch title. The game was introduced as part of the XSN Sports lineup, which included such games as NFL Fever, Top Spin and Rallisport Challenge.- Career Mode :The career mode in Amped 2 is much like other extreme...
and Amped 3
Amped 3
The game received moderate to good reviews, with critics citing the game's highly original art style as making up for the occasionally repetitive gameplay. One such reviewer was GameSpot, giving the game a score of 7.6, which they classed as "Good". The Review collation site GameRankings gave the...
.
Utilizing the Xbox's built-in hard drive, Amped allowed for entire mountains to be loaded simultaneously, permitting completely free-style runs modelled on real resorts, rather than the linear courses of other snowboarding titles.
The game also contains snowmen which you must strike down in order to advance your career mode character's explore options.
The Xbox's built-in hard drive also allows users to create a custom soundtrack using their own music, as well as listening to the 150-plus tracks already offered in the game. Users can also listen to music by genre, blocking out music they do not enjoy. There is also a button on the Xbox controller that allows users to skip past songs they don't like.
Before its release, the game was met with derision from some due to Microsoft's marketing department Photoshopping lens flare
Lens flare
Lens flare is the light scattered in lens systems through generally unwanted image formation mechanisms, such as internal reflection and scattering from material inhomogeneities in the lens. These mechanisms differ from the intended image formation mechanism that depends on refraction of the image...
s onto what were supposedly actual game screenshot
Screenshot
A screenshot , screen capture , screen dump, screengrab , or print screen is an image taken by a computer to record the visible items displayed on the monitor, television, or another visual output device...
s. Microsoft claimed they were unintentionally passed off as screenshots of the actual game.
The game is also well known for helping to launch the career of pop punk
Pop punk
Pop punk is a fusion music genre that combines elements of punk rock with pop music, to varying degrees. Allmusic describes the genre as a strand of alternative rock, which typically merges pop melodies with speedy punk tempos, chord changes and loud guitars...
band Yellowcard
Yellowcard
Yellowcard is an American pop punk/alternative rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1997, and based in Los Angeles, California since 2000. Their music features the use of a violin, unusual for the genre...
due to the soundtrack in-game soundtrack consisting of the complete One for the Kids album on it. As well, the manual is written in a magazine-like format.