Skate Boardin'
Your Guide to Skate Boardin': Tricks, Time Limits, and Skitching
Skate Boardin' is a fast-paced sports game that puts you in the shoes of a skateboarder trying to get from your front steps to school. It is not just about riding along; it is a race against the clock where you must navigate a complex maze while performing stunts. The game was designed by David Crane, who also created Pitfall!, and it brings that same sense of exploration and timing to the world of skateboarding.
When you start the game, you have exactly five minutes to complete your journey. This time limit adds a layer of urgency to every move you make. You are not just trying to reach the destination; you are trying to do it while finding hidden opportunities along the way. The map is filled with ramps and pipes that serve as secret tricks. There are thirty of these hidden tricks scattered throughout the level, and negotiating them successfully is key to a high score.
Movement in Skate Boardin' relies on precise timing. You use the fire button to jump over obstacles like walls, rails, and hurdles. If you hit any of these barriers without jumping, your character will fall off the board, costing you precious time. The controls also allow you to crouch by holding the fire button down. This specific action is necessary to pass through certain pipes that block the direct path. Learning when to jump and when to duck is the core skill of the game.
One of the most exciting features of Skate Boardin' is the ability to skitch on the back of moving vehicles. When you spot a car or truck passing by, you can time your approach to grab onto it. This allows you to move across large sections of the map much faster than walking or skating alone. However, getting on and off these vehicles requires careful planning because you are vulnerable while doing so.
The maze layout means you will often face dead ends or loops that force you to backtrack. This can be frustrating when the clock is ticking down, but it also makes finding shortcuts more rewarding. The game does not hold your hand; you have to figure out which paths lead to tricks and which ones are just distractions. Avoiding walls and rails is critical because every fall resets your momentum and wastes time.
Skate Boardin' captures the feeling of a skate park adventure but adds a puzzle-like element to it. You are constantly looking for ramps to launch off and pipes to slide through. The challenge comes from balancing speed with caution. If you go too fast, you might miss a trick or hit an obstacle you could have avoided. If you go too slow, you will run out of time before reaching the school.
After completing this adventure on the Atari 2600, fans of the game can look forward to Super Skateboardin' for the Atari 7800. That follow-up title expands on the original concept with improved graphics and gameplay, but Skate Boardin' remains a unique experience due to its specific maze design and trick-finding mechanics.
Playing this game is about mastering the flow of movement. You need to anticipate where vehicles will appear, spot hidden ramps before you reach them, and react quickly to obstacles. It is a test of reflexes and memory. As you play more, you will start to remember where the thirty tricks are located, allowing you to plan your route more efficiently.
The visual style is simple but effective for the platform. The focus is entirely on the action and the layout of the level. There are no complex stories or cutscenes; the goal is straightforward: get to school, do tricks, and beat the timer. This simplicity makes it easy to pick up and play, but the difficulty curve keeps you engaged.
For those who enjoy games that require exploration and timing, Skate Boardin' offers a solid challenge. It rewards players who take risks to find shortcuts with skitching but punishes those who are careless with their jumps. The satisfaction comes from completing the maze without falling and finding all the hidden tricks before time runs out.
Whether you are new to this classic or returning for another run, the core experience remains the same. You are a skateboarder in a hurry, navigating a world of ramps and obstacles. The game was published by Activision and developed by Absolute Entertainment, bringing a distinct flavor to the sports genre on the Atari 2600.
So, grab your board and get ready to roll. Watch for the moving vehicles, look up for the ramps, and keep an eye on the clock. Skate Boardin' is a timeless test of skill that proves you do not need complex graphics to create an engaging and challenging game. You can also try more Atari 2600 games from the same system.