SSX 3

Game review by Jeremy Gieske, Common Sense Media
SSX 3 Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 8+

Mostly great competitive-action play for 8 and up.

PlayStation 2, Xbox 2003
Rate game

Parents say

not rated for age

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 8+

Based on 8 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate game

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that although infrequent and bloodless, violence does play a role here -- players are able to punch and hit each other if they get close, giving them an advantage during races. The only other concern would be the lack of safety presented throughout the game, as players are typically shown without any safety equipment.

Community Reviews

Forknose
Forknose Adult
April 9, 2008
not rated for age

Not THUG but still great

Great game. It was a bit easy tho. Kaori is awesome! She is the best character. It is fun. The must is like techno but I used my own music so I lived. Any extreme sports fan would like this.
Tsion
Tsion Adult
April 9, 2008
not rated for age

Great Game. Fun to Play and Challenging

SSX 3 is fun to play. It's fun to watch. There's no objectionable content, except for mild snowboarding violence like falls, slides, head-bonks, ect. In those instances at lasts to time at all, and there is no blood. The game experience is made better too if you have the skateboard that goes along with this kind of game. Highly reccommended.
See all 2 parent reviews

What’s It About?

Conquer the mountain. Easier said then done, especially when the mountain makes Mount Everest look like a bunny slope. The premise of SSX 3 isn't too difficult: Pick a character and tackle a variety of challenges on the mountain. Three peaks provide three levels of difficulty, with the top peak culminating in blizzard-like conditions, collapsing snow bridges, avalanches, and skilled opponents.

As you get better you learn how to link tricks to form combinations for massive points, and as you win races, or beat opponents with better tricks you earn money. Money can be used to build up your characters attributes -- how fast they are, their balance, etc. -- or it can be used to buy outfits, trading cards, and other trinkets.

Is It Any Good?

SSX 3 is primarily fun entertainment; however, there is one thing to look out for. Although infrequent and bloodless, violence does play a role here as players are able to punch and hit each other if they get close -- this is particularly important during races because knocking an opponent off of their feet makes them fall and lose precious time. This principle doesn't exactly teach children to play fair. It's questionable why EA sports even decided to include this option, since it really isn't even used that often.

Perhaps the only other concern would be the lack of safety presented throughout the game. Despite performing impossible tricks and taking equally impossible tumbles, the characters do not typically wear any safety equipment. Although most players will see the fictitious nature of the game, it might be recommended that parents address the dangerous side of the sport with their children.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what fair play is and why safety is important when playing sports.

Game Details

Our Editors Recommend

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate