In the eighth year of Tony Hawkseries, Activision has decided to split up the successful trend sports series: Instead of developing one game for all platforms as before and making more or less well-functioning adjustments due to, for example, a smaller number of buttons, there are two different titles this year. Sony and Microsoft consoles come with the classic variant Project 8 supplied, Nintendo skaters compete against it Downhill Jam at. A sensible decision, because the complex pad assignment of the other systems would not be possible on the Wii.
Of course, tricks are still possible on Nintendo's new console (even if the arsenal has been significantly slimmed down), but the focus is now on the eponymous downhill runs. The eight locations around the globe have one thing in common: from the start it's a steady decline to the finish line. As a soloist, you take part in the challenge, where you work your way through lots of runs and collect points for good placements. Most of the time it's just about being the first to reach the finish line, but sometimes you're driving alone and have to roll through slalom gates or knock down as many passers-by as possible. Speaking of hitting: Direct competitors can of course also be knocked off the board with a friendly blow. If you use jumps and railings to perform tricks and grinds, you fill the 'Zone Bone' bar – when it's full, you give your skater a short-term speed boost.
If you play alone, apart from the challenge, the only option is to create your own character, who will then join veteran Tony Hawk and a handful of bizarre characters. If you gather several human skateboard fans in front of the TV, up to four of you can compete in the split screen. All you need is the Wii remote control, the nunchuk is left out of the controls: it is steered by simply tilting, and you carry out the various trick combinations using the 1 and 2 buttons and the control pad.