Skitchin’ was released in early 1994 for the Sega Genesis. This bad-boy was developed by EA, the makers of the Road Rash series, of which this game shares many similarities. One of which is the high-octane, out of control gameplay style that they each employ. This mayhem-inducing gameplay style is presented with a nice paradox thanks to the traditional racing game elements each of them employ. This game, however, takes place on roller blades, while Road Rash’s gameplay is motorcycle-based. In Skitchin’, you will go through 12 races on your quest to be the best skitcher in the world. You will be taken from Vancouver to New York, and nearly everywhere in between.
The basic gameplay involves you racing against 12 other skitchers in an attempt to win a race. I know, the concept is shocking and you’re probably busy cleaning up the puddle of drool left behind after hearing that astonishing revelation. I’ll give you a few seconds to gain your composure. Done? Good. The basic gameplay is essentially identical to Road Rash. You beat people up with either your fists, feet, or a wide array of weapons, advance a position, then rinse and repeat until you are in first place. However, this game adds a unique twist to that tried-and-true formula. In this game, you must grab onto the bumpers of cars in an attempt to get ahead in the race. You can go from car to car, building up speed, momentum, and cash, but taking more risks. Or, you can hang onto one car, hope the driver doesn’t see you, lose a chance at easy money, but have an easier time if all goes well. The choice is yours, and the choice you make will probably end up deciding your fate for a given race, so make your choice carefully. Gauge how the rest of the pack is faring by skitching. If other skitchers are being sent flying by cars, go as far as possible without skitching, and only use skitching in this race when you absolutely have to. On the other side of the coin, if everyone is zooming along thanks to cars, feel free to grab onto the nearest bumper and hang on for the ride of your life. If you want to have anything remotely resembling success in this game, you will have to weigh the pros and cons of the situation on the fly. If you really want to test your mettle, try going for some insane tricks while you are in first place. Do you have the guts to risk your race position in the hopes of getting more dough? If you do, are you ready for the consequences of failure? If you don’t, why didn’t you take the chance? You really have to think on your feet in this game, and I really dig that attribute of the game. It helps set this game apart from the brainless games of it’s genre.
The controls of the game are about as flawless as you are going to find. The simplistic button layout doesn’t come at the expense of techniques available to you. It’s amazing what EA was able to pull off with only three buttons and a D-Pad. You can do tons of tricks, attack opponents, pick up weapons, grab onto cars, jump high into the air, and ever crouch down to increase your speed, all of this, with only three buttons and a directional pad. Amazing stuff folks. The controls are not only versatile, they are responsive as well. I can’t think of any game like this that controls as well as Skitchin’ does.
The graphics in Skitchin’ are pretty spectacular all things considered. EA could have just slapped on Road Rash 2’s graphics with a new coat of paint, but they didn’t. While everything does resemble the Road Rash games (a product of the technology at the time, not the developers), everything has been spruced up to the nth degree. Details on things are through the roof. The vehicles in particular are full of details. You can see each tail light on the vehicle, plus read the license plates. Now this might not seem too impressive now, but think about what EA had to work with here. Considering the technological limitations placed on them, they did a damn good job. The skitchers are also a high point of the game’s visuals, and they’d better be since you will be spending quite some time looking at them. While they all share the same basic look (baggy shirt, baggy shorts, helmet, knee pads, etc.), each of them is given a ton of detail, particularly in the animation department. Each technique in the game is given the Midas touch with it comes to animation. Every movement seems natural, and nary a one of them looks forced. The tricks in particular look spectacular given the beefy animations used in the game.
The sound in Skitchin’ is spectacular, and it really helps add to the atmosphere of the game. The music always has a hard-rock edge to it that adds to the fast-paced, hard-hitting nature of the gameplay. It really helps draw the player into the game, while the gameplay keeps you glued to your seat. In a stroke of genius, EA took a cue from the OutRun games and, before the race, allowed you to pick what song you want to listen to during the race. By including this option, EA gives more freedom to the player, and lets the player personalize the game more than most games on the market, even today, do. It doesn’t hurt that the song options are rather plentiful, there is bound to be something you want to listen to. The sound effects, much like the music, really add to the experience. EA saw fit to make every sound effect have a little extra oomph, and it paid off in dividends, particularly when it comes to weapon attacks. You simply haven’t lived until you have heard the sound a cattle prod makes as it zaps your opponent into oblivion. All in all, the sound is one of the most impressive aspects of the game. I encourage anyone to pick the game up on the sound alone, it really is that strong.
The replay value of Skitchin’ is limitless. I have had the game since its release, and I still play it on a daily basis. The game is simply out-and-out fun. The gameplay is faster and better put together than many games on the market today, which is both a testament to the enduring nature of this game, and a sad statement of the current state of gaming.
All in all, Skithin’ is one of the finest Genesis games I have ever had the pleasure of playing. The frenetic gameplay keeps you on the edge of your seat. While the amazing controls make it a joy to play. The excellent graphics do a great job of bringing out the carnage, and the sound really brings you into the game. If you are looking for a game that is flat-out fun, pick up Skitchin’. For those of you without a Genesis; A: PICK ONE UP NOW and B: Get Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, it’s got a little skitchin’ action in it.
For owners of the Nomad, I strongly recommend you pick this game up. While the action is fast-paced, it never gets muddled by the system’s less-than-perfect screen. The sound, control, gameplay, etc. are just as excellent on the Nomad as they are on the Genesis. For extreme gaming on the go, pick this bad-boy up as soon as possible.
I was delighted that you picked Skitchin' as a review subject. It is one of my absolute favorite games on the Genesis as far as replay value, and I find it to be much more fun than Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (the original - I haven't played the sequels much).
I love this game. One of the best 16 bit racers. Quick correction, though. The game wasn't made by the road rash team, it was made by EA's canadian division (folks who did SSX) using the Road Rash engine.
Oh, thanks for the correction. I'm glad someone out there knew, it was a bitch trying to get that developer info, so I just winged it. That reminds of the "Skitchin' is BITCHIN" ads that EA ran in mags... Classic stuff.
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