Tony Hawk's American Sk8land
Encyclopedia
Tony Hawk's American Sk8land, is the first entry in the Tony Hawk's series of video games for the Nintendo DS
, and the sixth Tony Hawk video game for the Game Boy Advance
.
American Sk8land uses cel shaded
visuals and it was developed by Vicarious Visions
, the developer of the Game Boy Advance Tony Hawk games. It is also loosely based on its console counterpart, Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
, featuring some of the many of the same environments, characters and the same soundtrack. It was released on November 15, 2005 in North America.
The top screen is used to display the main gameplay, while the touch screen displays an overhead map of the area the player is currently skating, as well as icons for easily performing tricks. The touch screen is also used to create Skateboard
art. Furthering the use of the DS's functions is the ability to record, with the DS microphone, your own sound clips for use in the game.
Tony Hawk's American Sk8land was the first Nintendo DS game released by a third party to support the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
, the online service for the Nintendo DS. Players are able to play Trick Attack, Score Challenge, Combo Mambo and The Price is Wrong. Players are also able to upload or download graffiti, board art, highscores, and replays to one of the servers, and can periodically download new goals to complete.
In the DS version, the ability to get off the skateboard and walk around was removed; however, this was somewhat balanced by the ability to come to a complete stop and rotate the camera.
The name is shared by the Game Boy Advance
version, also created by Vicarious Visions. The GBA version does not share the same graphics, however, having an isometric point of view, polygonal skaters and pre-rendered levels creating a 3D sensation.
.
The community website's About Page lists a number of the game's Nintendo Wi-Fi features, including players' ability to upload and share scores and game replays, as well as create and join Sk8 Crews with friends on the community site.
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
, and the sixth Tony Hawk video game for the Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
.
American Sk8land uses cel shaded
Cel-shaded animation
Cel-shaded animation is a type of non-photorealistic rendering designed to make computer graphics appear to be hand-drawn. Cel-shading is often used to mimic the style of a comic book or cartoon. It is a somewhat recent addition to computer graphics, most commonly turning up in video games...
visuals and it was developed by Vicarious Visions
Vicarious Visions
Vicarious Visions is an American video game developer founded by the high school brothers Karthik and Guha Bala in 1990, which developed some PC and Game Boy Color games in late 90's and 2000. They later developed Terminus, which won two Independent Games Festival Awards in 1999...
, the developer of the Game Boy Advance Tony Hawk games. It is also loosely based on its console counterpart, Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland, abbreviated to THAW, is a video game that was released for the PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, Nintendo GameCube and PC on October 18, 2005. Part of the Tony Hawk series, the game was developed by Neversoft and published by Activision.The PC version of the game was ported and...
, featuring some of the many of the same environments, characters and the same soundtrack. It was released on November 15, 2005 in North America.
The top screen is used to display the main gameplay, while the touch screen displays an overhead map of the area the player is currently skating, as well as icons for easily performing tricks. The touch screen is also used to create Skateboard
Skateboard
A skateboard is typically a specially designed plywood board combined with a polyurethane coating used for making smoother slides and stronger durability, used primarily for the activity of skateboarding. The first skateboards to reach public notice came out of the surfing craze of the early 1960s,...
art. Furthering the use of the DS's functions is the ability to record, with the DS microphone, your own sound clips for use in the game.
Tony Hawk's American Sk8land was the first Nintendo DS game released by a third party to support the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
The is an online multiplayer gaming service run by Nintendo to provide free online play in compatible Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS and Wii games. The service includes the company's Wii Shop Channel, DSi Shop, and Nintendo eShop game download services...
, the online service for the Nintendo DS. Players are able to play Trick Attack, Score Challenge, Combo Mambo and The Price is Wrong. Players are also able to upload or download graffiti, board art, highscores, and replays to one of the servers, and can periodically download new goals to complete.
In the DS version, the ability to get off the skateboard and walk around was removed; however, this was somewhat balanced by the ability to come to a complete stop and rotate the camera.
The name is shared by the Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
version, also created by Vicarious Visions. The GBA version does not share the same graphics, however, having an isometric point of view, polygonal skaters and pre-rendered levels creating a 3D sensation.
Online community
The DS Version has an integrated online community at http://www.american-sk8land.com which is designed by Spiral Design Studio and developed and managed by Agora GamesAgora Games
Agora Games works with game developers to build online features and web-based communities for video games. It has worked with publishers such as Activision, Konami, RedOctane, and Nintendo, and with game studios such as Vicarious Visions, Neversoft, Splash Damage, id Software, Vicious Cycle...
.
The community website's About Page lists a number of the game's Nintendo Wi-Fi features, including players' ability to upload and share scores and game replays, as well as create and join Sk8 Crews with friends on the community site.
External links
- Sk8land's official web site
- Tony Hawk's American Sk8land at GameSpotGameSpotGameSpot 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...
- Tony Hawk's American Sk8land at IGNIGNIGN 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...