SSX Blur
Encyclopedia
SSX Blur is a skiing
and snowboarding
video game, for up to 4 Players, published by EA Sports BIG
and developed by EA Montreal
for the Wii
video game console. It is the 5th installment of the SSX snowboarding video games series. The game was released in the United States on February 27, 2007. The soundtrack was created by Junkie XL
and is played through the in-game radio station, "Radio BIG".
This game closely resembles SSX3; the peaks share similar architectural designs. The game's basic track designs are taken from SSX3 and SSX On Tour
, although they have been modified. There is no official timeline for the SSX series, but ostensibly this game takes place between SSX3 and SSX On Tour
, as Kaori is 21 years old in On Tour. In Blur, she is 20, and SSX3, she is only 19. Also, at the end of SSX on Tour, there is a video of what happens to each character after the tour, all the characters from SSX on Tour leave and move on to something else.
, the player progressively works up through 3 peaks on a mountain, participating in races, trick competitions, and the new slalom
event to earn prizes and other unlockable material. Players are able to choose from either the traditional snowboards; or skis, as introduced in SSX On Tour
.
The game control uses both the Wii Remote
and the Nunchuk controller. Movement, speed, and jumping is controlled through the Nunchuk, while, when in the air, the Wii Remote is used to perform tricks. The Wii Remote is also used for throwing snowballs at targets or foes during a race.
As the player races down the hillside, they can successfully complete tricks to earn points as well as to build up an ever-depleting boost meter. When the boost meter is full, the player is then able to execute special "Ubertricks", which require the player to draw a specific shape in the air, such as a heart or a treble clef. While the player knows some Ubertricks at the start of the game, additional ones can be discovered in career mode by collecting icons for that Ubertrick hidden across the various courses.
praised the level of depth given motion-based controls, but also stated that the challenge level restricts the game to hardcore audiences only. Electronic Gaming Monthly
critics claimed difficulty in using the Wii remote and nun-chucks in unison. With these controls, players have a lack of coordination and control of characters and movements. Official Nintendo Magazine UK were disappointed that there were some re-used tracks from previous games. 1UP.com
harshly criticized the difficulty and unresponsiveness of pulling off Uber-Tricks. NGamer
said that the mission-based gameplay was outdated. GameSpot
criticized the slalom events and problems such as framerate issues, but praised the overall experience. Game Informer
praised the game as a return to form for the series but noted that traditional controls were still preferable.
. The music is available online.
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
and snowboarding
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a slope that is covered with snow on a snowboard attached to a rider's feet using a special boot set onto mounted binding. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing. It was developed in the U.S.A...
video game, for up to 4 Players, published by EA Sports BIG
EA Sports
EA Sports is a brand of Electronic Arts that creates and develops sports video games. Formerly a marketing gimmick of Electronic Arts, in which they tried to mimic real-life sports networks by calling themselves "EA Sports Network" with pictures or endorsements of real commentators such as John...
and developed by EA Montreal
EA Montreal
EA Montreal is a video game development studio owned and operated by Electronic Arts. The studio is based in Montréal, Québec. It was inaugurated by EA on March 17, 2004. The studio was founded by Alain Tascan a former Ubisoft and BAM! Entertainment executive. It is one of a few examples where EA...
for the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
video game console. It is the 5th installment of the SSX snowboarding video games series. The game was released in the United States on February 27, 2007. The soundtrack was created by Junkie XL
Junkie XL
Tom Holkenborg , better known as Junkie XL or JXL, is a Dutch musician. He uses the name JXL in cases where the term "Junkie" might cause offense. XL is for "Xpanding Limits"....
and is played through the in-game radio station, "Radio BIG".
This game closely resembles SSX3; the peaks share similar architectural designs. The game's basic track designs are taken from SSX3 and SSX On Tour
SSX on Tour
SSX on Tour is a skiing and snowboarding game, the fourth title in the SSX series of video games for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, PSP and Xbox. The game was developed under the working title SSX 4. It was released in North America on October 11, 2005, In the PAL region on October 21, 2005 and in...
, although they have been modified. There is no official timeline for the SSX series, but ostensibly this game takes place between SSX3 and SSX On Tour
SSX on Tour
SSX on Tour is a skiing and snowboarding game, the fourth title in the SSX series of video games for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, PSP and Xbox. The game was developed under the working title SSX 4. It was released in North America on October 11, 2005, In the PAL region on October 21, 2005 and in...
, as Kaori is 21 years old in On Tour. In Blur, she is 20, and SSX3, she is only 19. Also, at the end of SSX on Tour, there is a video of what happens to each character after the tour, all the characters from SSX on Tour leave and move on to something else.
Gameplay
The gameplay in SSX Blur follows a similar format of the previous SSX titles. Like SSX 3SSX 3
SSX 3 is a snowboarding extreme racing game published by Electronic Arts and developed by EA Sports BIG, which was released in late 2003. It is the third installment in the SSX series, and is THX approved. Like the previous installments, the game was critically acclaimed...
, the player progressively works up through 3 peaks on a mountain, participating in races, trick competitions, and the new slalom
Slalom skiing
Slalom is an alpine skiing discipline, involving skiing between poles spaced much closer together than in Giant Slalom, Super-G or Downhill, thereby causing quicker and shorter turns.- Origins :...
event to earn prizes and other unlockable material. Players are able to choose from either the traditional snowboards; or skis, as introduced in SSX On Tour
SSX on Tour
SSX on Tour is a skiing and snowboarding game, the fourth title in the SSX series of video games for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, PSP and Xbox. The game was developed under the working title SSX 4. It was released in North America on October 11, 2005, In the PAL region on October 21, 2005 and in...
.
The game control uses both the Wii Remote
Wii Remote
The , also known as the Wiimote, is the primary controller for Nintendo's Wii console. A main feature of the Wii Remote is its motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact with and manipulate items on screen via gesture recognition and pointing through the use of accelerometer and...
and the Nunchuk controller. Movement, speed, and jumping is controlled through the Nunchuk, while, when in the air, the Wii Remote is used to perform tricks. The Wii Remote is also used for throwing snowballs at targets or foes during a race.
As the player races down the hillside, they can successfully complete tricks to earn points as well as to build up an ever-depleting boost meter. When the boost meter is full, the player is then able to execute special "Ubertricks", which require the player to draw a specific shape in the air, such as a heart or a treble clef. While the player knows some Ubertricks at the start of the game, additional ones can be discovered in career mode by collecting icons for that Ubertrick hidden across the various courses.
Reception
The game received mostly positive reviews, with a few outlier critics giving the game a poor score. IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
praised the level of depth given motion-based controls, but also stated that the challenge level restricts the game to hardcore audiences only. Electronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly is a bimonthly American video game magazine. It has been published by EGM Media, LLC. since relaunching in April of 2010. Its previous run, which ended in January 2009, was published by Ziff Davis...
critics claimed difficulty in using the Wii remote and nun-chucks in unison. With these controls, players have a lack of coordination and control of characters and movements. Official Nintendo Magazine UK were disappointed that there were some re-used tracks from previous games. 1UP.com
1UP.com
1UP.com is a video game website owned by IGN Entertainment, a division of News Corporation. Previously, the site was owned by Ziff Davis before being sold to UGO Entertainment in 2009....
harshly criticized the difficulty and unresponsiveness of pulling off Uber-Tricks. NGamer
NGamer
NGamer is a British magazine which mainly covers Nintendo video game consoles and software, and also to a much lesser extent, Sony and Microsoft consoles. The first issue was released on 13 July 2006...
said that the mission-based gameplay was outdated. GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
criticized the slalom events and problems such as framerate issues, but praised the overall experience. Game Informer
Game Informer
Game Informer is an American-based monthly magazine featuring articles, news, strategy, and reviews of popular video games and associated consoles. It was formed in August 1991, when FuncoLand started publishing a six-page magazine, free in all its retail locations...
praised the game as a return to form for the series but noted that traditional controls were still preferable.
Soundtrack
Unlike previous games, this soundtrack only contains one musician, Junkie XLJunkie XL
Tom Holkenborg , better known as Junkie XL or JXL, is a Dutch musician. He uses the name JXL in cases where the term "Junkie" might cause offense. XL is for "Xpanding Limits"....
. The music is available online.