Like many other games in the genre, XXX’s main core consists of a single-player mode. Hardcore Tour asks you to complete certain objectives in a time limit in order to open up new levels and other goodies. Unlike other games, time isn’t your only enemy in Hardcore Tour. There is also have an energy meter that is drained every time you wipe out, and can only be refilled by finishing your objectives.

However, comparing BMX XXX to other games of the genre reveals more similarities than differences. As in Tony Hawk 4 and Aggressive Inline, you are given objectives by talking to certain people in the level. These can range from your normal, everyday biker to the bum on the street that needs empty soda cans to buy food. What’s annoying about this system is that if you happen to fail in your mission, you need to go back to the person who gave you the mission in order to restart it, which can be a pain in later levels that are much bigger than the early ones.

Another annoyance (which is also directed at other action-sports games) is that the missions themselves aren’t creative at all. Collect ten soda cans, score 10,000 points in one run, and then collect fifteen more of this object. It’s gotten to the point where the whole genre is suffering because they can’t get beyond this mindset, and BMX XXX does nothing to improve on it.

It gets even worse, as only three modes are available: the aforementioned Hardcore Tour, Create-a-Rider and Multiplayer. That’s about it. No online mode, no tutorial mode, nothing. This game is as bare as some of the strippers and riders in the game. Speaking of strippers, they make an appearance in the form of short full motion videos that you can unlock by completing specific objectives in the level. Not that it’ll excite anyone over the age of 15 though. Most of the stuff you’ll see you could probably catch on any skin flick on Cinemax or any other late night movie. The rest of the "XXX" material is equally as tame, with hoes, pimps, childish swearing and fart jokes galore.

Sadly, that’s not even the weakest part of the deal, since the game definitely looks like it was made for all three consoles. There aren’t a lot of positive things to say about the graphics, considering that the earlier BMX games that Acclaim had developed weren’t mind boggling themselves. However, just like earlier BMX games the animation in this title is great. The fluidness of each move really makes up for the otherwise lackluster visuals.

But to give credit where it’s due, the sound in BMX XXX is its strongest point, with quality voice acting (!) all around, featuring varying accents for all of your stereotypical characters in the game. The soundtrack is surprisingly not totally focused on the hard rock/punk scene, incorporating tunes from Motley Crüe and De La Soul. Most important is the ability to make your own soundtrack in the game, much like in other Xbox games. For a person who’s not exactly into what most teenagers today enjoy (which is about 90% of what you hear on the radio today), it’s a welcome addition, and hopefully more extreme sports games will take notice of this.

Ultimately, fans of the Dave Mirra BMX series will probably judge BMX XXX to be a very disappointing title that tried far too hard to gain hype and sales through controversial content rather focusing on the gameplay. While I don’t doubt Acclaim will try for a sequel, here’s hoping that they cut back on the unnecessary (and often times annoying) content and create a good companion to Aggressive Inline.

· · · Reno