Tony Hawk big tricks back onto DS
But there's no PSP version
It's always good to see another Tony Hawk game on the half-pipe horizon, and it's especially true for Tony Hawk's Proving Ground, which seems to be a major refresh of a brand that's now onto its ninth release in eight years. Last time out, Activision couldn't even seem to think of a proper name – Tony Hawk's Project 8 was the best it could come up with.
Of course, on the DS side of the Pocket Gamer office, we've always been spoilt when it comes to The Birdman's games. Both 2005's Tony Hawk's American SK8Land and 2006's Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam were great titles – thanks in the main to the guiding hand of US studio Vicarious Visions.
PSP owners have had less to enjoy. There was the excellent Tony Hawk's Underground 2: Remix, but Tony Hawk's Project 8 was released last year in the US to mediocre reviews (we're still waiting for it in Europe). And for some reason, PSP-ers are seemingly not even going to be getting their hands on Proving Ground.
It appears a bit of a weird decision, but presumably the PSP version didn't sell very well last time. Also development of all versions of the game (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2 and Wii are also lined up) is supposedly being carried out by Neversoft; a studio which doesn't have any handheld experience at all. Secretly we're actually hoping Vicarious Visions is doing the DS version of Proving Ground, and that Activision didn't get around to listing such details on the press release.
When it comes to what we're going to be doing in Proving Ground that lack of handheld detail is also in evidence. There will be more Nail the Trick moves such as Nail the Grab and Nail the Manual, which Activision informs us will "intensify the thrill of pulling off big tricks". Customisation – in terms of character, story and style of skating – is also promised.
But with the core feature of the main console version involving seamless online play and customisable online skate lounges (we're assuming it will feature within Sony's vaunted Home environment), it's hard to see how it will mesh with the DS' rather more limited online capabilities.
Both American SK8Land and Downhill Jam did support the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, but neither game got many online players. Even now, on a Saturday night peak, you'll find less than 500 people globally playing on either.
Still, not to worry. Just click on 'Track It!' and you'll get the heads up in your inbox as soon as we've sorted out what's going on.
