Game Details
Price
  • $59.99
Available on
Genre
More details

Skate It (Wii, Nintendo DS)

common sense media says

Less graphic skateboarding game than others on market.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a skateboarding game which does depict some mild violence, such as falling off a bench or rail and landing on the cement. Players can get bruised, sprained, or break bones, but nothing graphic is shown (and no blood as is shown in the Tony Hawk games). The game only allows you to be a male skateboarding, with no females options.

 

Educational value: Not applicable.
Positive messages: Nothing eye-opening here, but players can only create a male skater.
Violence: Mild violence includes tumbles off equipment, where the skater falls flat on their face or can break a bone, but there is no blood as in the Tony Hawk games.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: The game not only showcases brand names including manufacturers of skateboarding gear, magazines, and familiar musical acts, but you're encouraged to get endorsed by companies, too.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Skate It

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about how video games can provide a virtual thrill for sports you might not want to try in real life, such as snowboarding, skateboarding, and other, more dangerous "extreme" sports. These games offer a sense of speed, and with products like the Wii Balance Board, make you feel like you're controlling the action -- but you're in the safe confines of your family room. Parents might also want to remind children that because they can do a trick in a game, doesn't mean it is safe to try in real life.

 

What's the story?

What's the story?

Last year, Electronic Arts' (EA) Skate took on Activision's popular Tony Hawk skateboarding series by offering a more realistic approach to the urban sport; and they succeeded in providing a fun yet authentic experience for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 owners. Now, EA is back with SKATE IT, a Nintendo exclusive with unique controls for the different platforms. Specifically, the Nintendo Wii version of the game allows players to control the action with the wireless and motion-sensing Wii Remote (with or without the nunchuk) or by balancing on the Wii Balance Board peripheral, which shipped with the popular Wii Fit game (and looks like a bathroom scale). The portable Nintendo DS version lets players perform moves using the stylus pen and touch-screen display. In both, gamers are brought back to the fictitious streets of San Vanelona to explore the deserted city on skateboard. By pulling off sick tricks, players earn the opportunity to travel the world and become Thrasher Magazine's Skater of the Year.

Adding to the game's replayability are a few multiplayer challenges on the same TV (including a "Best Trick" competition) and the option to create your own skate park by dragging and dropping objects such as ramps and rails wherever you like. Last year's version focused on what EA called "Flickit" control, where players used the controller's two analog sticks to pull off moves (rather than rely on the four main buttons), such as pulling back and pushing up on the left analog stick to pull an "ollie." A similar "Flickit" control scheme is back on the Wii, by moving the wireless controllers around (the tutorial is quite good, but follow it through) -- but you can also stand on the Wii Balance Board if you own one and move your body to "skate" on the board; it takes some getting used to but if you're somewhat coordinated and are willing to ride out the steep learning curve, this hand and foot control method is handled quite well for the most part (the board isn't always as responsive as it should be, however).

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

While we love the rags-to-riches story and varied locations. the game does have a few issues, such as the feeling of isolation (in every city you unlock, which just feels weird), the lack of online multiplayer and some muddy visuals -- but those who grew up playing Tony Hawk games shouldn't be disappointed with this ambitious title. The three control schemes, many environments, and challenging career mode offer enough meat to satiate finicky gamers.

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS
Not available online
Genre: Sports
Developer: Electronic Arts
Released on: November 20, 2008
Price: 59.99
ESRB Rating: E10+ for Mild Violence

This review was written by Marc Saltzman
 
 

Review It

 

Review Skate It





Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

What parents & educators say

10

Most useful reviews by all members

carter0617
parent of 9 year old
 
what i say
i like it there is no langue or content just a little volience and a little hard to use

 
Awesome!!!!!!!
This is a great game ig ot it the day it came out. its so fun. i once played it for 8 hours. You have the wii remote with a nunchuck or you can use the wii balance board

Rebecca Randall
parent of 12 and 15 year old
 
My kids (and husband) love this game
My family can play this game for hours. I like how they can build their skater identities, though I wish they didn't get points for injuring themselves... with no other consequences.

Gold_medal_cha ...
teen, 13 years old
 
GR8 GAME!!!!!
the controls area LITTLE hard for my five year old brother but ill give him another year and he will be a be a pro!!! So for five and under it might be a little hard bet its FUNNNN!

ninjaevan1
kid, 13 years old
 
boorrrrriiiiinnnnngggggg

 
It just sucks
It sucks. Don't bother buying anything that is only for Nintendo systems.

Spex99
kid, 12 years old
 
Perfect for tweens
This game is awesome (for the first 5 months). You don't have to be a skateboarder to like this game. People can have sorta gory falls but there is no blood.

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
 

vote now

Will you play Skate It?


Already played it? What do you think?

 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors


About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age