Announced in 2010 at the Spike Video Game Awards, the SSX games have been long awaited by snowboarding fans around the world. Known for their arcade style over-the-top tricks, the SSX series has always been about making the biggest, craziest, most impossible tricks on a snowboard. For 2012, the same can be said for the newest title, now simply dubbed SSX.

Originally titled SSX Deadly Descents, the title was shortened to SSX after fans commented on the serious nature of the initial teaser trailers. So far, other gameplay elements announced include the use of helicopters to facilitate tricks and drop offs into the mountain. Wing suits have also been introduced to help players navigate longer stretches of mountains, some of which treacherously are not covered by snow after a sheer cliff face jump.

Bigger and badder than ever before, EA announced that NASA topographical satellite data was included and also features GPS features and other high tech equipment for in game use. Reports on the game thus far show that the game will not be entirely open world since it will feature a set number of large expansive maps. It is said that developer EA Canada has planned for each map to still be large and not even close to linear and so far trailer footage proves this to be true.

Trailer footage so far has also shown the game featuring Deadly Descents, a set of environmental challenges that each player will face as they traverse the maps of the game. The element of Tree Obstacle, Ice, Low Visibility White-Outs, Lack of oxygen, Rocks, Avalanches, Lamp Light Total Darkness and a Temperature Gauge all serve the limit the players visibility, mobility or vitality.

Elements that plan to make a return to this game is the recurring characters. Fans will be happy to know that Mackenzie “Mac” Fraser and Kaori Nishidake as well as a host of others will be returning. Also returning is the famed soundtrack for which Run D.M.C’s “It’s Tricky” makes a comeback, headlining the music within the game.

With the last game having released solely for the Wii in 2007, titled SSX Blur, the SSX franchise is due to make a splash on current generation consoles. Prior to the 2007 release the first 2 games, SSX the original and its sequel SSX Tricky were for Playstation 2, Gamecube and Xbox. SSX3 and its Sequel SSX Tour were likewise released on the same console’s and yet 2007 saw the Wii exclusive release of SSX Blur, definitely left fans scratching their heads.

Publisher EA Sports and in-house developers EA Canada slate the game to release on February 28th of 2012 for PS3 and Xbox360. The EA Store itself, offers the game for pre-order under its store name ‘Origin’ with Elise’s Elite Snowboard with a character attribute boost. Gamestop currently has the best pre-order available for since it will come out with Bonus Character Eddie Wachowski himself, his Level 6 Elite Snowboard and a character attribute boost.

Amazon pre-order’s sadly don’t appear to include a character from the pre-order, but does include Mac’s level 6 Elite Snowboard and a character boost. Likewise, Bestbuy customers get the character boost  and Zoe’s Elite Level 6 with the pre-order. Wal-Mart is also jumping on the pre-order wagon, offering Kaori’s Elite Snowboard  with a character attribute boost.

The countdown continues as SSX once again tries to write itself into the history books for snowboard video game excellence. Trailers and interviews so far have shown the game to be an excellent and noteworthy addition to the SSX series. Hopefully on release day, fans will agree after having their own go. It has been a long time since a forward thinking, hard charging snowboarding game has hit consoles and it’s honestly about time.

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About the author

Calvin Li
Calvin is currently a Politics and Entertainment writer, as well as the Assistant Gaming Editor for Toonari Post. He holds a Master's Degree in History and a Bachelor's degree in Marketing. A Native New Yorker, he enjoys speed reading and eating, as well as exploring, snowboarding and bowling.