Matt Hoffman's Pro BMX
Published by Activision
Designed by Shaba Games/LLC/Runecraft Ltd.
Due Out: Out Now

Hoping to appeal to the masses who purchased the critically acclaimed Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2, Activision have released Matt Hoffman's Pro BMX. Bearing more than a passing resemblance to the Tony Hawk's games Pro BMX looks like it could be a winner. However, looks alone do not make a game so let's take a more in depth look at the game.

The game comes with eight pro's. As well as Matt Hoffman there is Mike Escamilla, Cory Nastazio, Joe Kowalski, Rick Thorne, Dennis McCoy, Kevin Robinson and Simon Tarbon. You can play as either one of these men (no ladies) and all have their special tricks and combos. The game consists of three single player modes ( Career, Single session and Free ride) and three multiplayer modes (Graffiti, Trick Attack and Horse).

The heart of the game is the Career mode. In each of the Career mode levels you are assigned tasks. There are five tasks in each level. A task can be something like earning a certain amount of points, smashing lights or collecting letters from around the course. For each task completed you get a magazine cover. You have to have a certain amount of magazine covers to unlock later levels and competitions. Single session is rather obviously a one off, two minute, single session. You only have access to the Bike Factory until you have earned enough covers in the Career mode to unlock the extra levels. Free mode is really just to practice in but again covers are needed to access the extra levels.

The multiplayer modes are a one on one affair and have three variations. Graffiti is basically a game of tag. You have to perform tricks off certain objects which are then tagged with your colour and your opponent must then perform a better trick off the object to tag it with his/her colour. Trick attack is a free for all with the winner having scored the most points. Horse is about beating your opponent on a particular trick. You perform a trick and your opponent has to equal or beat it. The loser gets a letter from the word 'horse' (or other predefined word). When one of you has all the letters you lose.

Text feedback is minimal in the game but it covers all that is necessary. There is hardly any verbal input at all. Even the intro contains no speech only music. All info is textually presented so you won't be at a disadvantage.

The graphics are good and are identical to Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2. The disappointment with the game though is that it just doesn't feel as good as Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2. The control of the bike feels a little awkward but it is nothing plenty of practice can't get you used to. The level editor is a nice addition and will extend the life of the game somewhat if you can be bothered to master it. As with all level editors they take time to master and many people won't take the time to learn to use it.

Overall Matt Hoffman's Pro BMX is a good purchase if you a) are interested in the real life BMX scene and b) you can't stand skateboards and can't bring yourself to purchase the superior Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2.

Click the thumbnails to see the big picture.

Overall Game Rating: 7/10 Most will prefer Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2.

Quality of text: 7/10 The manual is a little brief but in game the text is OK.

Graphics: 8/10 Good graphics. Identical to Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2.

Interface: 8/10 Simple and straight forward.

Gameplay: 5/10 Nothing basically wrong with it but it has limited appeal.