Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam for the Nintendo Wii isn't much to look at—those much-maligned graphics don't really compare against other next-gen machines—and the transition monologues by the game's characters serve little purpose beyond offering a prime opportunity to grab some snacks. The gameplay, thankfully, is an entirely different matter.

As the name suggests, Downhill Jam eschews the trick-based horizontal orientation of previous titles, in favor of downhill, head-to-head races—or what the kids call "jams." Tricks are still essential elements of the game, of course, and these along with other actions—knocking down opponents and pedestrians, with a good, swift elbow, for instance—contribute to your skater's speed and, ultimately, the goal of getting across the finish line first. The gameplay takes full advantage of the Wiimote, held horizontally and tilted, in order to take turns, return to the course, and cash in speed boosts. Downhill Jam is as addictive as previous Tony Hawk titles, with enough innovation to keep the series from getting stale—just so long as you can cope with the achy wrists.