I don't know if the PS2 could possibly get any better! Cool Boarders 2001 has got some of the most incredible graphics I have ever seen. But it's not only that... the speed of the game is outstanding and you will notice no significant frame-rate loss whatsoever. What this means is that you get giant courses and a pure adrenaline rush all the way to the bottom!

The music of Cool Boarders 2001 is very fitting for the sport. It's a kind of 'high energy' music that keeps you pumped and ready for action. Featured artists include Stone Temple Pilots, Fear Factory, Fu Manchu, Zakk Wylde and Blind Dog. The sound effects are pretty good too, although could be a bit better. They do help you get into the action as you not only feel every jolt, but hear it too.

P-E-R-F-E-C-T! That's just one word for it. I promise you that you won't be disappointed in this title. Cool Boarders 2001 is everything you'd expect... and more. You can choose from 10 pro riders and 10 amateurs (after unlocking some in Career mode). Options include a Quick Race for one or two players, and a Career Mode where you will build up your stats and unlock new tricks, courses, and players.

Cool Boarders 2001 includes different types of courses to compete on too. Of course you have your standard races, which includes the Vans Triple Crown of Snowboarding, but also your trick courses. The half-pipe is a fast event where points are key. There are also downhill events in which you must complete a ton of different 'sequences' to fully clear the course. These sequences include everything from simply jumping over/across a gap to performing multiple combo jumps and grinds. The difficulty of sequences varies quite a bit, actually. Some will be easy to fair, while others will be very demanding and require precise timing.

My favorite feature in the game is the Challenge Courses. When first popping in Cool Boarders 2001, I felt overwhelmed with all of the controls listed in the book and couldn't seem to perform any kickin' moves. However, there is a way you can learn while you play... in the Challenge Courses. Basically, you first get to watch one of the pros complete a trick. Then you have to duplicate the feat. Fail three times, and the course is ended, but work your way down the hill and you will not only unlock new stuff, but you will actually be honing your skillz a ton!

Cool Boarders 2001's difficulty is perfect. Without even changing the Easy/Medium/Hard setting, you will be in for an outstanding balance of gameplay and challenge. The hardest thing about the game is learning how to perform the moves. As you work your way through the game, you will learn how to better accomplish tricks and complete the courses. There does come a point when frustration is the best word to describe some of the courses (can you say 'The Chasm?'), but the feeling of relief you have after conquering the level outweighs the struggle it took to get there.

As stated above, controlling your boarders is quite confusing and difficult at first, but if you have the guts to stick with it and complete a couple of the Challenge Courses, you will be converted from a punk amateur to a seasoned veteran. Controls are set up very well, combining twists and turns with grabs and tweaks, while throwing in a few flips with ease... well, semi-ease anyway! Cool Boarders 2001 also gives you the option to save your data every time you leave a course after unlocking something, so you are not harassed by any annoying screens after every event. Something else to note is that I did have times where a glitch in the game actually kept my boarder stuck in the air. This can be good or bad, depending on how you look at it. Yes, you lose time, but you have the chance to rack up some killer points... just make sure you don't land on your head when you finally break the glitch!

I don't know how else to stress it: Cool Boarders 2001 is an unbelievable game... PERIOD!!! If you like the Tony Hawk style games, this is a must have. If you don't, this is a must have. Get the idea? THIS IS A MUST HAVE!!!