Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX 2

10 World Vert Titles, 1 Epic Road Trip

NA release: 8th October 2002
EU release: 6th December 2002
JP release: N/A
Developer: Activision O2
Publisher: Rainbow Studios, Gratuitous Games
NGC Magazine Score: 70%
Mods Used: Widescreen Hack

After three Tony Hawk’s games (and the fourth due out very soon after this), you would think that Activison themselves would be able to learn what Neversoft did and get other companies to mimic the style successfully. While Pro BMX 2 is very much a Tony Hawk style game, it feels like a massive step backwards, like it was made in between Tony Hawk’s 1 and 2. It technically works fine, but it’s missing much of what elevated Pro Skater 3.

The biggest issue is the level design. They’re all just a small area of a city with ramps dotted around. They’ve gone for a “realistic” road trip style, so there’s no over the top elements or fun locations. Even worse, is that there’s no interactivity. There’s a couple of buttons to open required areas, but that’s entirely it. Another huge issue is that it’s a nightmare to explore, as many routes go to nowhere and reset your character if you try going that way. The soundtrack is oddly slow and muted. There’s some great songs, but they don’t get you pumped up.

Dave Mirra’s took the gameplay style popularised by Pro Skater and put its own spin on it, while Mat Hoffman’s game is just a lesser version of Tony Hawk’s in every way.

Poor

That’s not to say Mat Hoffman is by any means a poor game. A year ago we might well have been singing Its praises. It’s certainly fast and smooth (there’s hardly ever a drop in frame-rate), and the riders are very well animated. The main problem is just there there’s nothing out of the ordinary in there – there’s nothing much that hasn’t already been done way back, in something like Tony Hawk’s 2.
Geraint Evans, NGC Magazine #75

Remake or remaster?

If Activision did a collection of non-Skateboarding extreme sports games, sure.

Official Ways to get the game

There is no official way to get Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX 2.