Criterion Had Planned Skate Or Die 3

Skate or Die

This is one of those stories that will make all veteran gamers go, "aw, no way...really?"

If you were a kid in the '80s, you likely remember Skate or Die, which was released by Konami in 1987 for a bunch of computer systems and the NES. It became an extremely popular title and to this day is considered to be a definite classic from the 8-bit era. It was re-released for the Wii Virtual Console in Europe and Australia (sadly, America didn't get it), and now, we learn that Burnout developer Criterion was actually planning to bring the title back in next-gen form. According to VideoGamesBlogger, Criterion was working on "rebooting the series" with Skate or Die 3, but things changed when EA purchased the developer in 2003. Not long after the acquisition, EA canceled the project, likely thinking that Burnout was the wave of the future. Well, they were right about that - the franchise has gone on to big sales and widespread critical acclaim - but wouldn't it have been sweet to see another Skate or Die? I still remember that silly half-pipe...and yes, youngsters, that's what games looked like over 20 years ago.

So who wants to start a petition for Criterion to resurrect that dead project? Think EA will let 'em? What other classic franchises should get a fresh start this generation?

7/28/2009 Ben Dutka

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