bit-tech Shopping: Activision Tony Hawk's Underground (GBA)

Rating: 6

Time with product: 2 Years

Strengths: enough in this game to keep any kid busy for days.

Weaknesses: slow moving and hard.

Summary: It is a game with wonderful graphics (at least for GBA). It is also reasonably priced. However, for me it was kind of boring and a let down. Since I like Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 so much I thought I would like this, but I was wrong. But if you're into both video games and skateboarding then this game would not be such a horribble choice.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 5 Months

Strengths: Graphics, game play, sound

Weaknesses: None

Summary: Tony Hawk?s Underground for the GBA looks and plays great for a handheld game. The action and tricks are fluid and the action never skips a beat. The graphics are solid and so is the sound. The game play is great depending on whichever mode you select: arcade or story mode. Each has its own goals and objectives and there are also numerous unlockables. Also, they incorporated some multiplayer modes in the form of horse and regular modes, where you try to beat your opponents score. These features are playable from the same GBA console and if you have a link cable and 2 copies of the game, you can go head to head in some shopping cart races. Overall, this game is great and I highly recommend it.

Rating: 4

Time with product:

Strengths: A decent time killer

Weaknesses: Moves are hard to pull off with the d-pad, 3/4 view is too much of a hinderance

Summary: Tony Hawk's Underground is the kind of game that screams 'for fans only'. Activision had to understandly cut many corners for the GBA port but the 3/4 perspective does not work well and using the pad to pull off moves is too cumbersome. With sub-par graphics and sound, THUG is only good to waste some time if nothing else is around to play.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 45 Days

Strengths: Fun Tony Hawk gameplay, great change of pace in the series.

Weaknesses: GBA hardware limits the sound and graphics. Short story mode.

Summary: Seeing the new installment of the Tony Hawk series integrate a story mode in the first installment of the Underground was a nice change of pace that seemed to give some reason for skating the town red. The classic Tony Hawk controls are modified a little for the 4 button portable, but it's still easy to control and very fun to play. The capabilities of the hardware in the graphics and sound department do hold the game down a little, but this is still the best looking Tony Hawk game on the GBA and the music is good enough for the game. While the story is very short, there's lost of replayability to play it over and over or switch to the arcade mode to play with the pros in a more structured mission style like past games. If you're a fan of the Tony Hawk series wanting more and have a GBA, definitely pick this game up.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 4 Weeks

Strengths: Fun gameplay, story mode and creating your own skater, Tony Hawk in portable format.

Weaknesses: Dissapointing if you're expecting to play the console version, controls not as intuitive, subpar graphics and sound.

Summary: Given the limitations of the GBA hardware, I'm surprised Activision was able to squeeze Tony Hawk into a portable format. The game is played in in a 3/4 perspective and the graphics are rather bland. The sound isn't so good either (I miss the licensed tracks of its big brother). The controls are a little different on the GBA but you get used to it after a while. You basically have to create your own skater and gradually build up your skills. Eventually you will progress to a point where you max and will be able to pull off most of the tricks that we all know and love. Despite being nearly a totally different game, THUG still retains many of the same elements that make Tony Hawk such a good game.