Interview: Skateboarding Gamer Reviews Tony Hawk's Ride

The new Tony Hawk Ride Videogame is an amazing step into the new gaming scene. Activision took the same approach it did with its prior and ongoing releases of Guitar Hero for the Nintendo Wii, XBOX 360, and PS3 gaming systems.

As my husband, Chris Harvey, is the Tony Hawk fan and skateboarding enthusiast, I decided to have him review this game for us.

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AC: How do you think this game compares to the technology offered in the Guitar Hero games?

Chris: I personally think that with a skateboard you'll have much more fun than with a guitar.

AC: Do you think Ride will be a good introductory Game for those who have never skateboarded or have never played skateboarding games?

Chris: Tony Hawk himself gives newcomers a personal walkthrough. In easy to do steps he acquaints you with your new game. He starts with doing Ollie's to doing flip's and then more advanced flip's, including foot positioning and how to simply make that little guy on the screen move.

AC: How does the board work?

Chris: There are no buttons. Four infrared sensors in the board itself translate your movements to the screen. So it's all about foot positioning and balance, like on a real skateboard. It's kinda nice that when you fall down instead of bailing on concrete you have the comfort of your living room carpet, which isn't so bad.

AC: How would you describe the game?

Chris: It's a real ride once you take a few minutes to get acquainted with the board, it's smoothe sailing. The levels are really expansive and amazing. You will learn as you progress through the game with new challenges like speed slalom and trick challenges, plus throughout the game you will unlock new goodies like hidden skaters, boards and gear. It's all here.

AC: What are some of your favorite moves you can do on it?

Chris: Spine transferring, grinds, manuals and old skool ground tricks.

AC: What about the look of the game?

Chris: The graphics and the environmental animation are pretty impressive with the rendering of ambient sounds and scenery. I like the new look of this game, you get an incredible rush when you get a lot of speed and Ollie off a huge drop-off, onto a rail and then onto a ramp. That how real it looks and feels when your playing Ride. It's more exciting the bigger the screen is!

AC: Was there anything else you had to say?

Chris: Thanks to all of the pro's that worked with Activision to make this possible for us gamers.

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Sounds like a positive review to me, and believe me he does not always have nice things to say about even Tony Hawk games. Don't even ask about Proving Ground.

If you want the cool limited edition board you'll have to get it at Wal*Mart for the XBOX 360.

All editions seem to go for around $100 for the game and the board. Check for prices in your area.