Tong Hawk: Shred

3 cert, Activision, PS3 (also Wii, Xbox 360)

3 cert, Activision, PS3 (also Wii, Xbox 360)

With Shred, skateboarding star Tony Hawk gives players the chance to take to the streets or the slopes using the motion- sensitive skateboard controller from Ride. Hawk makes some personal appearances teaching you the basics, how to ollie, grind and perform kickflips like a pro. Shred is more fun than its predecessor, Ride. The tricks are bigger and the controls have been improved. It uses cel-shaded graphics instead of trying to go for realism, and the tricks are similarly over the top.

Unfortunately, it's spoiled somewhat by lingering flaws in the control system. It's still possible to accidentally pull some tricks while skateboarding. The snowboarding, however, appears to be less prone to such mistakes. I like Shred, but with motion controllers such as Kinect making an impact on the market, Activision will have to up its game if it decides to go for a third effort.