recognised SSX 3s open world as innovative, with Williams finding that the loading times allow players to ride across long distances "without having to wait a single second for the environments to load into memory". With a score of 9.4 out of 10, Louis Bedigian of GameZone called the PS2 version "extremely fun. The gameplay is as good as snowboarding games come." Carlos McElfish, Bedigian's colleague, was a bit less positive of the GC version but did not rate it below a score of 9.0 out of 10, saying: "The lack of fantastical obstacles and other Tricky-exclusive elements is admittedly missed, but the inclusion of so many other excellent improvements makes you quickly forget that this ain't Tricky." Tim Surette, also of GameZone, gave the Xbox version a score of 9.7 out of 10, which is a higher score than the other console versions, and called it "one of the tightest games out there... there's nothing that stands out as a negative, and everything else is a glaring positive. The abundance of 'stuff to do' keeps the gameplay fresh and makes 100% completion a task for the gods." In a slightly less positive review with a score of 70 out of 100, the reviewer for GamesTM stated that "given the constraints of the sport", the game does a great job of staying as open as possible. The trick system was well received. Bramwell called the new super-über tricks "astonishingly cool" and stated that he was pleased that the game introduced "a much more clear-cut combo system". Perry said that the addition of board presses "make playing SSX 3 an entirely new game", adding that performing tricks is "a pleasure on the PS2 and Xbox", but criticised the GC's controls, citing that "the controller just doesn't provide enough buttons to do" the game justice. Kasavin also said that the PS2 pad was "especially well suited for the game". SSX 3s sound and voice acting were widely praised, with Silverman commending the "varied soundtrack and great effects", stating that they make the game "sound terrific". Perry commented that SSX 3 is "a legitimate THX endorsed game, ensuring high-quality sound clarity". Williams thought highly of the voice acting, calling it "clear, simple, and not annoying in the slightest". He also considered the DJ commentary to be slick and unobtrusive. Kasavin praised the soundtrack, calling it "one of the highlights of the experience", and