Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam Critic Reviews

With a great control scheme, graphics that don’t look ported, fantastic humor, and a whole lot of races to complete, this quality title is worthy of being a member of the Tony Hawk franchise. This is a safe Day-1 pickup for the Wii, just make sure you buy the three spare Wiimotes for your friends!

Provides challenge and entertainment. It looks different than other next-gen Tony Hawk titles, but that fits the style and charm of the game.

A great party game. It literally takes like 30 seconds to get used to the controls in the game and it’s going to be perfect to show people what the Wii Remote can do. Although it’s not the most complex experience out there, the game is incredibly fun.

There's not so much replay value but the controls give it a new lease on life.

Players fond of the control methods found in games like Excite Truck should take notice, especially if interested in something a little more quirky and demanding.

The locations are unique, the tracks long and complex, and the fun factor and energy level is unparalleled with any other Wii title at this time.

While the multi-player is much more full-featured than the single-player, Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam is nonetheless a great launch title that makes great use of the Wii.

THDJ plays very, very well. The Wii's smart motion-sensitive control system is absolutely perfect for this kind of game.

There's just enough racing mixed with the right amount of Hawk trickery to make it a successful new direction for the series that definitely has room to grow.

With a few impovements in the graphics and gameplay departments Activision could really have a hit on their hands.

While Downhill Jam is by no means brilliant, it works well as an extension of the Tony Hawk franchise. It may borrow liberally from both SSX and Downhill Domination, but it differs in execution, largely because of the unique nature of the Wiimote.

Proves that the Wiimote really works and makes games more fun. This time Tony Hawk is all about the speed, not the tricks.

Its sole commonality with the franchise is Tony Hawk's voiceover "acting" -- but it nonetheless retains the palpable adrenaline of the series, all the while establishing a very high precedent for the future of Wii gameplay.

Downhill Jam will almost certainly surrender its extreme-sports crown by the time the next generation of Wii games ollies onto the scene, but for now it's the best way I can think of to get down a hill.

SSX vets will feel right at home with Downhill Jam.

This is solid, but too basic to live up to the Hawk gaming legacy. Good for newcomers to skateboarding games though.

The graphics, while not gorgeous, look good and do a marvelous job of conveying a real sense of speed. While it may not be a traditional Tony Hawk game, it is a very competent racing game that is fun to play.

In no way does the spin-off game stand up to "Project 8" on the other next generation consoles, but as a "popcorn flick" equivalent to Hawk games, Downhill Jam is a decently entertaining and innovative game nonetheless.

As an entry level title, Downhill Jam makes a good introduction to the possibilities of fast-paced gameplay on the Wii, and is definitely more approachable than "Tony Hawk's Project 8," the series' other current entry.

The best thing to happen to the Tony Hawk franchise since free roaming, Downhill Jam is allso, if not more so, an introduction to the challenge of re-acclimating oneself to tilt gameplay.