Somewhere on the way to the Wii SSX made a wrong turn. Maybe it was the developer switch or maybe it’s just that the Wii controls don’t fit the game, but SSX Blur is unfortunately a clunker. That being said, if you can get past the controls there is a ton of content to experience and unlock.


The flawed gameplay in action.
To control SSX Blur is to master the Wiimote and Nunchuk combination. You tilt the Nunchuk left and right to turn, use the analog stick for tight turns, the C button to turn your board sideways, and the Z button to start grabs. The Wiimote is used to execute tricks by whipping it around and the A button is used to jump. And lastly the B button is used to make snowballs to throw at people and things. If all that sounds a bit complex, it is and it takes quite awhile to get used to. That is if you ever get used to it.

You see, the real problem with these tough to master controls is that the sensitivity just isn’t there. When you’re on wide open slopes the turning seems to react fine, but once you get into close quarters you’ll realize that it’s nearly impossible to master Nunchuk turning. Then once you’re in the air you’ll most likely execute wild motions as you shift your sitting position from time to time as the Wiimote trick sensitivity is ridiculously touchy.

While in the air you’ll begin to notice that there aren’t very many trick combinations and pulling off the exact trick you want is nearly impossible. You’ll soon likely give up and just twitch wildly when in the air. Once your groove meter is filled up you’ll most likely want to try out an uber trick. The only problem with this is that executing an uber trick is ridiculously difficult. You have to hold down the A button and then trace a complex pattern in order to execute them. So that’s all good and fine, but the problem is that the Wiimote sensitivity screws you up and sometimes the pattern isn’t even recognized by the game correctly. Not only that, but later in the game these tricks are essential to progressing so having the game screw you out of a win is quite frustrating.