Summary
- Release Year: 2001
- Genres: Sport
- Platforms: Dreamcast, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation
- Developers: Gray Matter Interactive, Runecraft, Shaba Games
- Publishers: Activision
Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX: The Definitive BMX Video Game
Released in 2001 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube, Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX was a groundbreaking BMX video game that set the standard for the genre. Developed by Acclaim Studios Austin, the game featured realistic physics, innovative gameplay, and a roster of real-world BMX riders, including the legendary Mat Hoffman himself.
Gameplay
Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX offered a variety of gameplay modes to choose from, including:
- Career Mode: Players could create their own custom BMX rider and progress through a series of increasingly challenging levels, earning money and unlocking new tricks and bikes along the way.
- Arcade Mode: Players could choose from a variety of pre-made levels and compete for high scores.
- Versus Mode: Players could compete against each other in head-to-head races or trick competitions.
- Freestyle Mode: Players could practice their tricks and combos in a free-form environment.
The game’s physics engine was one of its most impressive features. Riders could perform a wide range of tricks, including flips, spins, grinds, and manuals, and the game’s realistic physics made each trick feel unique and satisfying.
Riders
Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX featured a roster of 8 real-world BMX riders, each with their own unique style and signature moves:
- Mat Hoffman
- Mike Aitken
- Ryan Nyquist
- Jamie Bestwick
- Dave Mirra
- Rick Thorne
- Dennis McCoy
- Kevin Robinson
Players could choose to play as any of these riders, and each rider had their own strengths and weaknesses. For example, Mat Hoffman was an all-around rider with no major weaknesses, while Mike Aitken was a technical rider who excelled at grinds and manuals.
Levels
The game featured a variety of levels to choose from, each with its own unique challenges. There were street levels, vert levels, and dirt levels, and each type of level required a different approach. Street levels were typically narrow and technical, with lots of obstacles to grind and manual. Vert levels were large and open, with plenty of ramps and jumps for performing aerial tricks. Dirt levels were a mix of the two, with both street and vert elements.
Graphics and Sound
The graphics in Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX were impressive for the time. The riders and bikes were well-animated, and the levels were detailed and realistic. The game’s soundtrack was also excellent, featuring a mix of punk rock and hip-hop tracks that perfectly captured the game’s adrenaline-fueled atmosphere.
Legacy
Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX was a critical and commercial success, selling over 2 million copies worldwide. It was praised for its realistic physics, innovative gameplay, and roster of real-world riders. The game is still considered to be one of the best BMX video games ever made, and it continues to be enjoyed by fans around the world.
Conclusion
Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX is a classic BMX video game that set the standard for the genre. With its realistic physics, innovative gameplay, and roster of real-world riders, the game offers a truly immersive and adrenaline-pumping BMX experience. Whether you’re a seasoned BMX pro or a newcomer to the sport, Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX is a must-play game.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
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