Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2 (Xbox)

The levels that you can ride in either Session or Free Ride depend on what you've unlocked in Road Trip. To get to the next destination, you'll need to complete a set of four challenges not once, but three times (in rookie, semi-pro and pro). That can be a daunting challenge, especially for beginners, and for more experienced players it can get a little tedious as you search for the final trick that will push you to the next level. That said, after building up the calluses on our left thumb, we found a satisfying BMX groove and zoomed along on our road trip.

The game also includes several multiplayer options, including HORSE, Tag, Halfpipe Hell, Graffiti War and Push, where you try to out-trick your opponent and make his side of the screen smaller by increasing your side of the screen. Graphically, the game detail is pretty awesome--from the bikes and riders to the glitzy lights of the Las Vegas background. Our one major technical beef came from not being able to utilise our own soundtracks, but the game is populated with some fine tunes, ranging from LL Cool J to Iggy Pop. --Agen Schmitz

One bad thing i would say is the music. It doesnt seem to be as energetic as the THPS series and the gameplay seems slower in my opinion (sorry to keep making comparisons to THPS, but it does things better). This problem is fixed by the ability to use your own music (pause the game -> audio options -> highlight the top bit of writing and press left or right to change albums)

The graphics are first-class, but as mentioned before, some of the levels can be a bit bland. Animations are also good, and the physics are realistic (coming from a none-bmxer's point of view)

Its not the best game in the world, but all-in-all its a good game which will keep you coming back to try and finish all of the challenges...


Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2 review   September 8, 2002
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Four playing modes make up the Mat Hoffman experience: Road Trip, Session, Free Ride and Multiplayer mode. Session is basically a single level ride that gives you a timer option (choose from two, five or ten minutes) and allows you to beat the best time before the timer runs out. Free Ride is a good way to get to know the controls and the various tricks before attempting the main mode, Road Trip.

Road Trip has you choosing any of the twelve riders--all of them, like legends Mat Hoffman or Kevin Robinson, are well-known in the Pro BMX circuit--and taking them through a set of challenges in the starting location until you earn enough Road Trip Points to move on to another city. And there are nine cities in total (from Oklahoma City to Las Vegas), all of them with their own unique challenges and charming points of interest . . . and you are the one who decides which one to unlock next!

The final playing mode is the Multiplayer mode, which offers a number of two player games such as Graffiti War, Trick Attack, Tag, Horse, Push, Free Ride, Treasure Hunt and Halfpipe Hell. With so many choices you can't help invite a number of friends over since both Horse and Halfpipe Hell can allow up to eight players in a take-your-turn kind of deal.

Mat Hoffman's controls can be a bit tricky at first but it's nothing a quick review of the instruction manual and few times around Free Ride couldn't correct. There are a number of new tricks in the long mix of grinds, rocket airs and grabs. There's even a trick that has you standing on your bike's seat. While the tricks are great, this game is about challenges and the challenges range from knocking down storage bins to making X amount of points.

Graphics-wise, Mat Hoffman is a really good-looking game and it does make full use of the Xbox's graphics abilities. Each environment is filled with so many things to interact with--although, sadly enough, it doesn't get as detailed as Aggressive Inline. There are certain spots in the game that are empty and will leave gamers thinking there should be something here . . . anything . . . even a simple ramp would do. But thankfully the characters look amazing and even more so as they perform their daring yet incredible feats.

The music in the game is a mixed bag of several different musical genres such as hip-hop, alternative, old school rap and some heavy rock tunes. Some gamers might find it unusual to find Iggy Pop's "The Passenger" followed by Ice-T's "Reckless" all in the same soundtrack. And while the tunes are great at getting you into the game, the choice to add your own song would have been greatly appreciated.

If you're a die-hard fan of extreme sports then this is a solid investment for you Xbox owners, although there was still more room for improvement