SSX Tricky

Tricky removes two characters from the previous game and adds five new ones. It adds two new race locations to the already beefed-up World Circuit (Garibaldi and Alaska). The developers also added features to the older tracks, effectively making them new again. Tricky improves the graphics a bit and refines the controls. The game even tweaks the basic gameplay by letting you upgrade your boarder's stats in races, but also forcing you to attempt and master the showoff mode. And EA improved the challenge by evening out the learning curve. SSX tended to be a cakewalk until the later races in each set, but this time your rivals get more intense and aggressive depending upon the lap you're taking.

As in the first game, personality is everything. This is true not only in terms of voice acting, but also in how you treat opponents. The game has a few basic attitudes. If you block and attack characters too much, they'll remember and actively seek you out. If you help one or two of them, they'll become your allies, warning you of danger or fending off attackers.

In many ways, SSX Tricky is only an upgrade of the previous game. Admittedly, the additions don't look like enough to justify buying the game all over again. But the changes are deep enough to change quite a bit, and they'll delight even fans who are tired of, or who mastered, the first game. Maybe that's the most impressive über-trick of them all. --Bob Andrews

Pros:

• Refined controls and new tricks
• Excellent computer intelligence and challenge

• The graphics are only slightly improved