Okay, this is one for the record books. I am reviewing a sports game, and not a normal sports game. An EXTREME sports game. This week's installment of my reviews is of Grind Session.

Grind Session is a PlayStation game from the year 2000. It was made by Shaba Games, who made a total of 7 games. Grind Session's siblings include 3 Tony Hawk games, a Shrek game, a Spider Man game, and a wakeboarding game. Shaba was acquired by Activision in 2002, and closed its doors in 2009.

Anyway, back to Grind Session.

Grind Session is a skateboarding game that takes you around the boarding world. It features eight levels where you can skate, grind, jump, and perform all kinds of neat boarding tricks. There are also a training level, as well as a final mansion for the accomplished boarder. But, more on that later.

This game features 6 playable characters: Willy Santos, Daewon Song, Cara-Beth Burnside, Ed Templeton, Pigpen, and Cardiel. You can also choose to create your own character. Then, you choose which board and wheels you want and then you are free to board.

I suggest going to the Training Center first, no matter what level of player you are. It is based at an Airplane Hangar. This level will get you acquainted with the button presses and other features of the game. After training, you are given free-reign over skate parks and closed off public areas just for you. From Da Banks in New York City to Atlanta, Georgia; Detroit, Michigan to London, England. This game takes you to many places. It even includes two tournament levels based in Huntington and Toronto.

Each of these levels has requirements that you must meet in order to go to the next area. These can be a minimum amount of skater's or Pro's score, Vandalism, or tech lines. The Skater's score is a base amount of points you earn by pulling off tricks and jumps. The Pro's score is the same as Skater's, but only more points (usually double Skater's score). Vandalism is ten things that you are asked to knock over or break. Tech Lines are a series of tricks r jumps in a specified area of the park. There are 40 points available in each level (10 for each requirement). The more points you earn in a run gets you closer to the mansion.

Also, if you get all ten points of a requirement, you are given part of a key. Once you get all 40 points in a level, you get a full key. These keys unlock more areas of the mansion.

Now let's talk about the gameplay modes. This games features a single and multiplayer mode. If you are playing by yourself, there are training, tournament, open-skate, and endurance modes. In multiplayer mode, you can select from competition (vs./team), tech challenge (vs./team), and skate. The team modes put both human players against the game to get the most points.

This game also features bonuses that you can earn along the way to skateboarding fame. Special photos of the professionals, videos of the skaters, and new board designs.

My favorite area to skate would be at the Slam City Jam in Canada. This level is a professional skate park in cometition style play. I like the level because it tells you how many points you need to get the place position you want. The competition areas feature three rounds (free skate, half-pipe, and best trick) Whoever has the most points at the end of the three rounds wins. And in the two competition levels, you still get points to advance in the game (1st- 40 points and a key to the mansion, 2nd- 20 points, 3rd- 10 points).

My least favorite part is the classic "wait forever to load" time that runs rampant in PlayStation games, especially after 11 years of playing. This can't be avoided unfortunately. I am forced to wait longer than I am used to even with a brand new disc.

Overall, I give this game 8 out of 10 points. It gives gamers the chance to play a sport that they might not otherwise get the chance to play. I know that where I live, there is no area to skateboard. The game features easy button combinations to pull off fancy tricks. Vivid colors, but blocky looking people. For a game of its time, it is still quite nice to look at and play. Nothing is painful to watch, except for when I fall fifty feet from the rafters.

Hint: Don't get hit by the subway train in the levels. They make you automatically start the level over.

Remember, I am always open for game review suggestions. Please feel free to leave comments here, or VM/PM me.