The Tony Hawk series has consistently been one of the most popular gaming franchises. The original game took the world by storm when it debuted on the original Playstation several years ago. The title introduced the gaming world to a mildly realistic skateboarding title that seemingly offered limitless replay value through its diverse single and multiplayer modes. Since then, the series has run its course of 7 individual games spanning numerous platforms, with each iteration of the franchise improving upon its predecessor. However, the handheld world was largely left out to dry. It was not until Vicarious Visions shocked the gaming community with their Game Boy Advance launch title, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2. While largely different than its console brethren; the title took the series into a new direction which complimented the capabilities of the portable, Pro Skater 2 provided handheld gamers with their first true skateboarding experience.

Now that the lifecycle of the GBA has come to a close, Vicarious Visions has once again set out to provide handheld gamers with another portable Tony Hawk title. Initially, gamers were at a loss as to how the gameplay of this portable version would be implemented. Would the title resemble the previous Game Boy Advance versions? Or would the developer create an innovative video game that both complimented the hardware capabilities of the Nintendo DS and bridged the gap in gameplay between the console and handheld iterations of the series?

Tony Hawk’s American Sk8land has since spent a considerable amount of time in development. Once set to release early in the systems lifecycle, the title has since been delayed several times. So is the game worth the wait? Has Activision and Vicarious Visions managed to replicate the traditional Tony Hawk while simultaneously effectively utilizing the unique capabilities of the DS? The answer is simple. Absolutely so. Tony Hawk’s American Sk8land is quite simply one of the best games available for the Nintendo DS.

At its core, the gameplay of American Sk8land closely resembles the previously released console title Tony Hawk’s Underground where the plot of the game deviates from the traditional two minute skate run and allows the user to freely skate around the area. This aspect of American Sk8land contributes greatly to the game’s feel and presentational value. The ability to virtually roam a given level on your board is tremendously more enjoyable than the traditional style of skate runs.

During your travels around locations such as Alcatraz, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, East LA, and various skate parks the game progresses through completion of a set number of goals. Each of American Sk8land’s seven levels contains seventeen tasks for your customized skater to accomplish. Once a particular goal is completed, a professional skater will arrive at the location and provide a final set of challenges.

Tony Hawk’s American Sk8land’s story revolves around a warehouse that once served as a popular skate park. The warehouse known as American Sk8land was one of the first skate parks in the country, and was hugely influential on several professional skaters. When your small town Midwestern skater travels to the west cost, he manages to impress the legendary Tony Hawk. Afterwards you’re created character develops a friendship with a local hipster / skater girl where she proposes that the two renovate the local skate park, American Sk8land.

While the game’s narrative mode is far from engrossing in plot, the story lines are embellished and fleshed out through several in game cut scenes complete with voice acting. These sequences were surprisingly well implemented into American Sk8land. After every major plot development, the action switches a cut scene with the game’s three major characters discussing their progression with the warehouse. While the animation is limited, the character models are well fleshed out and are accompanied by fitting, well-recorded voices.

With that said, it’s hard to fault Tony Hawk’s American Sk8land for containing a less than stellar plot. After all, when has the series been considered with promoting an extensive and engaging story mode. The main game mode does however offer a nice backdrop for the title’s truly wonderful gameplay. You’ll undoubtedly be more concerned with landing that next “killer” trick than you will be with completing your characters dream skate land.