| Get ready to hit the slopes once again with EA Sports Big's sensational SSX Tricky! Why do I say again? For those of you not in the know, this is the second SSX title since it debuted on Playstation 2 around the time of the launch of the console. The game was met with such approval that it remained a best seller for quite some time. SSX Tricky is the fantastic follow-up to EA Canada's original blast and this one pulls out all the stops to be quite possibly the best snowboarding title I have yet to play on the XBox games console. More of an arcade snowboarder than the realism of Amped, Tricky sends us into the stratosphere with the introduction of the Uber Trick. The whole title revolves around tricks (naturally) regardless of the game mode that you choose: race or showoff. Do enough tricks and you will slowly build up your Adrenaline meter. Once full, Run DMC will start busting their "It's Tricky" rap and that's when the Uber Tricks can be performed. Uber means super and these tricks are exactly that. Incredible tricks that could not be performed in real life situations, most of which involve your character's feet leaving the board as you perform stunt after outlandish stunt. You can bust Uber Tricks as long as you keep the meter topped up. Perform 5 Uber Tricks and then get ready to rock the house! Or you can use the Adrenaline meter anytime during the race to get the upper hand. Another of the fantastic parts of this game is the outlandish characters you can choose to ride as. These have been voice acted by a range of people from both Hollywood and the music industry, including David Arquette, Macy Gray, Lucy Liu, Bif Naked, Oliver Platt, Jim Rose, Billy Zane and a host of others. The voice work, not surprisingly is done to perfection and absolutely suits the individual characters. The game does not skip a beat as all the characters banter and talk amongst themselves. The really cool thing is that characters will be specific and use each others names during speech without missing a beat. It is impressive and helps to notch up this addictive game. An important thing to realise about Tricky is that character interaction plays a huge part in the game. Cut another rider off enough and you will find that they are returning the favour for the rest of the game. You can use the right analog stick to lash out and knock other players off their boards, rewarding yourself an instant full Adrenaline meter to use as you will. However this will earn the anger of your fellow riders. | 
