SSX 3

SSX 3
North American Xbox cover art
Developer(s)EA Canada
Publisher(s)EA Sports BIG
Producer(s)Larry LaPierre[1]
Programmer(s)Mike Rayner[2]
Artist(s)Geoff Coates, Henry LaBounta,[2] Ian Lloyd[3]
SeriesSSX
Platform(s)GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Game Boy Advance, Gizmondo
ReleaseGameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox
  • NA: October 21, 2003
  • EU: October 31, 2003
Game Boy Advance
  • NA: November 11, 2003
  • EU: November 21, 2003
Gizmondo
  • EU: August 31, 2005
  • NA: October 22, 2005
Genre(s)Snowboarding, Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

SSX 3 is a snowboarding video game developed by EA Canada and published by Electronic Arts under the EA Sports BIG label. The game was originally released on October 21, 2003, for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube. It was later ported to the Game Boy Advance by Visual Impact on November 11, 2003, and to the Gizmondo by Exient Entertainment on August 31, 2005, as a launch title. It is the third installment in the SSX series.[4]

Set on a fictional mountain, the single-player mode follows snowboarders competing in the SSX Championship. Players choose from a variety of characters and take part in various events in different locations, earning points and money by performing tricks, winning races, completing goals, and finding collectables. Money can be used to upgrade character attributes, buy new clothes and boards, and unlock music and extras. Multiple players can play against each other in local multiplayer modes, and an online multiplayer mode also allowed players to connect to games and play against each other online on the PS2 version of the game, but it has since been discontinued.[4]

Development of SSX 3 initially began in 2001 following the release of SSX Tricky, the previous title in the series. The development team was composed of people from various different employment backgrounds, including an Oscar-nominated visual effects designer who worked as one of the game's art directors. The game includes thirty different types of snow and general visual improvements over the previous game, such as enhanced models and shadows. It was initially confirmed through a trailer in NBA Street Vol. 2 in 2003.[5] A soundtrack album, SSX 3 Soundtrack, was released on September 30, 2003.[6]

SSX 3 was critically acclaimed, with reviewers praising the game's open world, trick system, presentation, and soundtrack. It was the first game in the SSX series to sell 1 million copies.[7] IGN's Douglass C. Perry called it the best snowboarding game he had ever played,[8] and GameSpot's Greg Kasavin recommended it not only to veterans but also for novices of the series.[9] SSX 3 received the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences' awards for Console Action Sports Game of the Year and Outstanding Achievement in Licensed Soundtrack.[10] Its 2018 re-release for Xbox One was also a success and was critically acclaimed.[11][12][13]

  1. ^ IGN staff (July 9, 2003). "SSX 3: Slopestyle Interview". IGN. Ziff Davis Media. Archived from the original on April 18, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2015. Updated May 20, 2012.
  2. ^ a b SSX 3 Xbox Instruction Manual. EA Sports Big. 2003. p. 18.
  3. ^ Lloyd, Ian (October 7, 2003). "SSX 3: Character Customization". IGN. Ziff Davis Media. Archived from the original on March 24, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2015.
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Farlow 2017 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Varanini, Giancarlo (April 21, 2003). "SSX 3 in development". GameSpot. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  6. ^ Jeffries, David (September 30, 2003). "SSX 3 – Original Soundtrack". AllMusic. All Media Network. Archived from the original on March 6, 2015. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference EAHistoryOfSSX was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference IGN Xbox was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference GameSpot PS2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ "SSX 3". Interactive. Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences. March 4, 2004. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  11. ^ Linneman, John (May 5, 2018). "SSX 3 is a retro masterpiece – and it's even better on Xbox One". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on April 12, 2022. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  12. ^ Coulson, John (January 25, 2020). "It's Tricky: Game's Producer Explains Why SSX Remaster Is Out Of His Hands". The Gamer. Archived from the original on April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  13. ^ Williamson, James (August 7, 2020). "Is There Another SSX (Or SSX Tricky) Game Coming Out?". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2021.