Overview
This innovative arcade game from the mid-80s transports players into the exciting world of skateboarding. With its unique blend of action and strategy, it captured the imagination of gamers and quickly became a classic.
Gameplay
Players control a skateboarder navigating a neighborhood filled with challenges. The primary objective is to complete four different levels, known as “skate parks,” within a time limit. Each park offers a variety of ramps, jumps, and obstacles. As time progresses, a sinister timer counts down, signaling the appearance of killer bees that chase the player, adding a thrilling sense of urgency.
Historical Significance
As one of the earliest skating video games, it holds a special place in video game history. It was notable for its 360-degree movement control system, which provided an unprecedented level of freedom and realism for the time. This feature, paired with its vibrant graphics and engaging soundtrack, made the game a standout title.
Curiosities
- The title’s name refers to the trick “720 degrees,” the highest point total trick that players could execute in the game.
- An interesting feature was its soundtrack, composed using the then-popular FM synthesis technology, which provided a catchy and energetic backdrop to the skating action.
- It was ported to various home systems after its arcade success, helping to spread its influence further into gaming culture during the late 80s and early 90s.
Legacy
The game’s pioneering control scheme and its engraving of skate culture into the gaming world laid the groundwork for future skateboarding titles, influencing an entire genre. It remains an iconic representation of 1980s arcade gaming.
