Downhill Domination (2003/4, PS2) - It's Play Time! - Ep.#17

This PS2 exclusive game is on the Top of my favorite games for that console! Video games are supposed to be fun, and Downhill Domination nails it really well!


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Celebrating 15 Years of the PlayStation 2: My Top 10 games - It's a Pixel THING - Ep.#71

Celebrating the 15th birthday of the PlayStation 2, I bring you a really tough challenge: narrow down its huge library to just 10 titles!

Is it possible?...

Let’s take a look!


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6 Amazing Games that are still Exclusive to the Playstation 2 - It's a Pixel THING - Ep.#48

It’s 2015 and, only now, I’m discovering the huge PS2 library and it’s pretty cool to buy games and have, once again, that same feeling from the eighties in which the only source for video game reviews, and related stuff, were expensive magazines. So, back then, I bought games just by its title or by reading its back cover. If I wanted to know more about a specific title, I eventually had to buy a magazine even knowing that, for the rest of the month, I wouldn’t be able to get a brand new game.

So, with that in mind and applying that same principle, let’s take a peek to these awesome six Playstation 2 video games that I’ve discovered and learned to enjoy!

Gran Turismo 4: 

So, let’s just not waste any time and jump right into one of the most successful games on the PlayStation 2: Gran Turismo 4. For starters, it has one of the most beautiful box arts ever on a video game, with its white case combined with the also white background of the cover.

Developed by Polyphony Digital and released firstly in Japan, in December of 2004, by Sony Computer Entertainment, it had a few minor issues before launch that resulted in a year and a half delay and the programmed and highly anticipated online mode was completely removed.

Nonetheless, there’s plenty to do, more than 700 cars to test and 51 tracks do explore.

The sad side is that there’s no changing in weather, night and day transitions - even in 24 hour races - and damage to the player or the vehicles.

Gran Turismo 4 is one of the few PS2 games on a Dual layer DVD requiring that the console’s laser lens needs to be clean and in extremely good operating condition.

It’s also one of the four Playstation 2 titles to have a 1080i resolution, but, sadly, only on NTSC territories, spite the PAL version being the most lucrative practically doubling its own sales on the other regions altogether.

In total, it is estimated to have sold about 12 million copies all around the world.

Ghosthunter: 

Developed indoors by Sony Computer Entertainment and released firstly in Europe in late 2003, Ghosthunter has a kind of simple but effective plot, where we control a Detroit detective who releases, by accident, a bunch of ghosts. So, who we’re gonna call? No one! It’s all up to us, ‘cause they even kidnaped Anna, our lovely partner!

This third-person shooter with, also, a first-person mode only useful for more accurate shooting, allows us to also control, in certain places, a spirit named Astral that can attract other ghosts and even possess them.

The game’s amazing ambiance and storyline is what makes Ghosthunter a winner, even if it was criticized for being too easy. I’ve enjoyed it so much and there’s even a surprise at the end that you must find out for yourselves!

The game was released in the States by Namco only in august of 2004 and it included over a thousand tweaks and fixes mostly on the combat and targeting systems making it a bit harder but with simpler puzzles to solve.

Downhill Domination: 

As mentioned on episode 12 about mountain biking video games, Downhill Domination is the best you can get based in this extreme sport.

For years Codemasters have been trying to publish a MTB game that really stood out from the crowd, but, unfortunately, even Downhill Domination passed practically unnoticed.

The incredibly huge multi-path courses are so amazingly detailed and designed and filled with wild life. There’s also hikers to avoid, or not, and the other opponents that tries to push us against the obstacles.

With an amazing soundtrack, were invited to roam through a series of challenges in freeride, mountain cross and technical downhill.

The environment is constantly changing, from forests with narrow passages between trees to stony sections, river crossings, weather effects, you name it! There’s so much stuff going on that you just can’t appreciate all of it! You can play the same open track a dozen of times and do it differently on every single try! Amazing!

Primal: 

Sony Computer Entertainment developed and released in March of 2003 this action-adventure game that transport us to these demonic realms in search of the main character’s boyfriend. In Primal we play as Jennifer or as Scree, the Gargoyle, and we can change to one of them at any time for a completely different set of powers and abilities.

Jennifer can also change into a demon form, allowing us to do some attack and defense moves unavailable in a human form. As for Scree, he can climb walls and cannot suffer damage, so the most obvious choice is to send him - or it - in front, scouting the terrain!

Jennifer, Primal’s main character, was considered an underrated video game chick that could even surpass Lara Croft herself if the game was available on other gaming platforms!

Tourist Trophy – The Real Riding Simulator: 

Another Polyphony Digital astonishing accomplishment released in 2006 and, again, with 1080i support in NTSC regions.

Considered the best PS2 simulation of that same year, Tourist Trophy utilizes Gran Turismo 4’s game engine, the graphical user interface and almost all tracks and circuits.

There’s 135 bikes to take out for a ride from the 1960s up to 2005 and the game also features 186 different riding accessories for the player, like helmets, boots, pants, gloves, jackets, etc, from officially licensed manufacturers.

Tourist Trophy really nails it, transmitting that real feeling of driving a motorcycle, natural and fluid.

The learning curve is right there, but if you’ve played Gran Turismo or other serious racing game, you’re ready!

R-Type Final: 

Originally planned to be the last game of the series, R-Type Final, originally released in 2003 in Japan, is simply Irem’s best title of the franchise.

Already mentioned on Pixel THING’s “10 must have PS2 games” episode, R-type Final provides more than 100 ships to choose that, obviously, needs to be unlocked.

The graphical power of the Playstation 2 is extremely well used and abused with lighting effects, explosions, animations, you name it, but, unfortunately, with all this going on at the same time, slowdowns can really occur.

However, if you’ve grown up alongside with the R-Type video games, you’ll certainly enjoy this one! It spawned innumerous other video game franchises that we all must be grateful to.

So, excluding HD remastered titles, what other Playstation 2 exclusives would you recommend? I’m curious to hear from you, ‘cause, and as I said in the beginning of this video, I’m just now beginning to enjoy PS2’s amazing library of games.

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Top 6 Mountain Bike Games Ever - It's a Pixel THING

Besides playing games, real Mountain Biking is an hobby of mine. The freedom and the sensation of almost being part of nature is something that inspires me and keeps me motivated. 

NUMBER 6

MOUNTAINBIKE CHALLENGE 2010 (PC) 

Developed by GreenTube, Mountainbike Challenge 2010 is a freeware title financed by in-game advertising.

Graphics are great, the controls are simple, but the music is a bit repetitive.

It still has a huge online community and thousands of people still play it online.

There’s only 5 tracks available, but, in a free game, what else could you ask? It’s freaking fun!

Go play it!

NUMBER 5

No Fear Downhill Mountain Bike Racing (1999 – PS ONE) 

Developed by Unique Development Studios and released by Codemasters in 1999 for the PS ONE, No Fear Downhill Mountain Bike Racing features 8 international tracks and 8 riders to choose from.

The tracks are long and based on real locations and you can customize your bike on almost every detail.

To win you need to conserve your energy, so try to maintain your speed at all time.

Reviews were really bad but, who cares? It’s made for people that love riding bicycles and not play freaking football!

Later, in 2001, was also available for the Game Boy Color. A planed Dreamcast version was canceled.

NUMBER 4

Mountain Bike Adrenaline (PS2 - 2007) 

Mountain Bike Adrenaline isn’t as bad as most people praise. It tries to be a real mountain bike simulator and, when you get used to the controls, its great fun.

Developed by Fresh 3D and released in 2008 by Nobilis, it has a sense of freedom that no other mountain bike game has to offer. And I love that feeling!

You control separately the front and the rear brakes and use automatic or manual shifting. 

Unfortunately, the physics engine is a piece of crap. The budget that the developers had for this title was really low compared to other games made for the PS2 at the time. So, they couldn’t use the Havok physics engine in this game. It was too expensive.

Those who are actual mountain bikers are the only ones that will probably enjoy this game’s open tracks.

It was ported, in 2008, for the PC.

NUMBER 3

Bike Mayhem Mountain Racing (Android - 2014) 

Horizontal scroolers is what android and iOS games are all about! Simple and fun! And the graphics in this game are simply beautiful!

You compete in timed races or freestyle trick events on 19 different mountains and over 100 trails inspired by real world locations. 

You unlock better bikes and gear and try to be the King of the Mountain!
Physics are somewhat realistic and the ragdoll effect of the rider is awesome. 

When you crash, use your finger to pick up the rider and throw him even further watching him tumbling down the trail! So freaking hilarious!

Developed by BestFreeGames Inc. and released in May 2014, Bike Mayhem Mountain Racing is a great piece of software that should always be in your pocket.

 

NUMBER 2

Mountain Bike Simulator or Mountain Bike 500 (ZX Spectrum – 1991) 

Published by Codemasters in 1991, Mountain Bike Simulator (aka Mountain Bike 500) was my first experience on a virtual mountain bike scenario.

It’s an horizontal scroller, just like actual Android and iOs games, that glued me to the ZX Spectrum for hours.

In a time that BMX bikes ruled, mountain bike started to gain followers spite the prohibitive price tag of the machines.

Obviously that this game fails to replicate the actual feel of riding a bike over rough terrain, but that would be a tad difficult to do on a Spectrum anyway.

You have to navigate through small and large bumps, jump over ditches and pools of water or oil. You only need to control the speed of the bike and whether you want to jump or wheelie or both.

There’s six levels of increased difficulty and it’s really hard to win in all of them, but the smoothness of the scrolling is what makes this game a winner.

The game received shitty reviews mainly because the sport was a novelty and, back then, either you buy a ZX Spectrum or a brand new mountain bike. You just couldn’t have them both. You’ll be bankrupt, that’s for sure!

NUMBER 1

Downhill Domination (PS2 – 2004) 

Donwhill Domination is simply my favorite mountain bike game of all time.

The action, the soundtrack, the graphics, the speed! Oh, man! Everything is amazing and super fun!

It’s totally an hidden gem and reviews were, as always in this sport, total crap. Guys that sit all days on their asses playing games and making reviews for websites and magazines should go out to the mountains more often!

Exclusive to the PlayStation 2, Downhill Domination was developed by Incognito Entertainment and released by Codemasters in 2004 in Europe and a year earlier in the US by Sony Computer Entertainment of America.

It’s based on fictional locations and riders, but you can unlock 5 professional racers, such as Brian Lopes and Eric Carter.

Due to the incline of the tracks, you’re always riding downhill and there’s 27 of them to conquer. You travel around the world from the Grand Canyon to Japan and there’s a bunch of different styles of riding from which to choose, including Freeride, Mountain Cross and Technical Downhill.

There’s some impressive and huge courses to play with an amazing level of detail and the environment changes often. In a minute you’re on the top of this mountain covered with snow and seconds later you’ll find yourself on a stony section or blasting your way through a mine shaft that leads to a completely different section again. There’s even polar bears, deers, vehicles and hikers that you can hit or be hit by.

This game was designed to be played fast and do stuff that you’ll normally won’t do in real life.

I simply enjoy exploring the wilderness and everything offroad related. Mountain biking is a thing that I really love to do ever since I learned to ride a bicycle.

Forever I’ve been on a lookout for mtb games that could keep me occupied in those cold winter Saturday mornings. 

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