First impressionsTony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 GameCube

At Nintendo's ongoing press event, GameSpot had the opportunity to sample Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 for the GameCube console. The game shares many of its features and options with the PlayStation 2 version of the game. All the modes from the PS2 version, including two-player multiplayer, are in the GameCube game. However, unlike the PS2 game, the GameCube version naturally does not support online multiplayer options. Although the controls using the GameCube pad take some getting used to, after some time, they become second nature. The various functions, including grinds, jumps, and tricks, are assigned to specific face buttons, and the skater can be controlled using either the D-pad or the analog stick. Interestingly, the game's control scheme doesn't make use of the C stick on the GameCube controller.

Where the GameCube version truly separates itself from the PS2 game is in its visuals. The game already runs at a constant 60fps, and the levels load a little quicker than the PlayStation 2 version's. The character models are high-res, and there are vast amounts of texture detail in the game's environments and skaters. A variety of other visual touches, such as more realistic and detailed particle effects, distinguish the GameCube version of the game.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 for the GameCube is officially on schedule to be released this holiday season, and at this point, the game looks as though it is nearing completion. According to Activision, porting the game over from the PS2 and optimizing it for the GameCube was relatively painless. In fact, at one point, only two programmers at Neversoft were working on the port. GameSpot will have more on Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 for the GameCube in the coming weeks.