Gameloft does an ollie with early release of Skater Nation on iPhone

Skater Nation has grinded through Apple's approval process in no time flat, appearing on the App Store this morning.

This sweet-looking skateboarding game debuts just days after we had the opportunity to play it at Gameloft's Paris headquarters.

Differing from the gesture-based skateboarding games that have preceded it on the App Store, Skater Nation opts for a Tony Hawk approach. A virtual analogue stick and two buttons enable you to pull off a variety of tricks.

It's a surprisingly simple control scheme, though we'll find out exactly how capable it is when we complete our full review.

What's also impressive about Skater Nation is the free-roaming structure that allows you to wander about the fictional city of Sandifornia. You're welcome to take on tasks such as high score competitions and exploration challenges, but can simple kick around if you please.