BMX XXX - Xbox

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Also for: PS2, GameCube, GBA
Viewed: 3D Third-person, floating camera Genre:
Sport: Cycling
Media: DVD Arcade origin:No
Developer: Z-Axis Soft. Co.: Z-Axis
Publishers: Acclaim (GB)
Released: 6 Dec 2002 (GB)
Ratings: 18+
Accessories: Memory Unit
Connectivity: Xbox System Link Cable

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Summary

Acclaim Entertainment seems entirely obsessed with delivering controversial PR stunts to grab the attention of the world's press. This is great fodder for news writers the world over, but does it bode well for the gamer? Following the disappointment that was Turok Evolution and the brilliance on show in Burnout 2, can Acclaim's most controversial game to date, BMX XXX, deliver?

Mixing adult-themed content with traditional gameplay has never really worked commercially in the past. The Strip Poker days on the Amiga, ST and PC were quickly superseded by titles such as Leisure Suite Larry, which added humour to the blend. Aside from a constant slew of risque games from Japan, the last title to get a commercial release over here was the dismally poor Erotica Island. Acclaim has now raised the bar, adding extreme sports to the adult and humour blend. Just imagine a crossbreeding of Dave Mirra, Snoop Dogg and Bernard Manning. The offspring would be BMX XXX.

The gameplay follows the standard set for the extreme sports genre well, with street riding, vert ramps and dirt track all included. The usual mixture of oddly-named tricks can be performed across all environments, with the basics, hop, grind, grab and so on, all assigned their usual buttons, meaning that anyone who's played a skateboarding or BMX game in the past should come to terms with the controls in no time.

An interesting feature of BMX XXX is the rewards system put into place by the developers. Instead of unlocking new levels, character and so on, players are treated to FMV stripteases as awards for success. Could be worse, eh?

In a first for the genre, a mission-based mechanic has been bolted on to the high score-centric gameplay usually associated with such games. This can see the player performing all kinds of dubious activities, from ferrying around ladies of the night to, erm, ferrying around ladies of the night.

There are a lot worse games out there than BMX XXX, that's for sure. If the content doesn't put you off you microwave pizza, give it a whirl. And please note, you'll require two hands to play this.