If you play games frequently, there’s no doubt you crave a challenge. Though we all hate games that are frustrating or difficult to comprehend, there is something special about a new kind of game – or a new take on an existing genre – that forces us to learn something new. There’s a wonderful moment when, in between the first time you touch that game and the minute it becomes second nature, that the player is transported to the most marvelous world. Say what you want about killer-apps and triple-A games, but it’s those magical moments of learning and new discoveries – the first Resident Evil, the first Metal Gear Solid, the first 3D Mario – that gamers remember most vividly.

At its best, Skate It belongs in that group. Though not a perfect experience, this is a game that explores new territory. It kind of looks and sounds like Tony Hawk – what would a skateboarding game be without indie rock music? After that the similarities begin to drift away, paving the way for something fresh while introducing a gameplay structure you haven’t seen before (outside of last year’s Skate, the game Skate It is based on).

Skate It comes with three unique controller options, none of which have anything to do with reversing the A and B button functions or any other typical controller option you’ve seen. In this game, players can use the Wii remote by itself, the Wii remote and Nunchuk together, or the Wii Balance Board.

On its own, the remote is intuitive but difficult. Without a thumbstick to utilize, all steering mechanics are handled by motion. This puts you at the mercy of the remote’s sensitivity while forcing the player to hold it in such a way that tilting it lightly from side to side won’t become a major nuisance.

Most players won’t want to use this control style, especially when they have a superior option. But it works pretty well. There’s a definite learning curve involved – the controls aren’t as pick-up-and-play friendly as Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater was. But that was meant to be a simpler, speed-based title, whereas Skate It aims to achieve a new level of street cred in the world of extreme sports. Give it time and, if this is the control style you’re looking for, it will start to feel really good.

A better, more natural (and easier to learn) option allows the player to plug in a Nunchuk and steer with the thumbstick. It isn’t a groundbreaking change but allows your right to focus on becoming a stunt king without having to worry about steering as well.

The Wii Balance Board – still packed exclusively with Wii Fit – offers a third control style, creating an arcade-like experience that is immensely challenging. Some of you may remember the Sega arcade game Top Skater. That game certainly came to mind while playing Skate It, as there is a gameplay similarity or two. Your ability to steer is entirely based on your ability to lean carefully – well, to be honest, perfectly. For most, this mode won’t go beyond a novelty. But if you’ve ever wondered if the Wii Fit balance games can be beneficial outside of improving your posture, Skate It proves that they can.

By now you’ve likely heard that Skate It is very different from the Tony Hawk sequels and every Tony Hawk clone. But having played so many of those other games, my first inkling was to rely on skills I’ve had for over a decade. Big mistake. While Tony Hawk’s basic rules and objectives cross over to Skate It (the contents are masked but ultimately lead to the same thing), the controls – using the Flickit system – are brand-new.

Flickit controls are exactly as they sound, albeit with more reliable motion detection than the average Wii game provides. To perform an Ollie, simply flick the remote downward; to perform a Nollie, flick it up. Just about any Wii game could pull that off. The other mechanics are where the remote is truly challenged and comes out looking like a star.

Kickflips are performed by tilting the remote lightly (left or right) before making an upward flick. This may sound simple from a developmental point of view, but if that’s the case, why do so many games fail in this department? Skate It had little trouble accurately deciphering the remote’s position before a flick. The game was even more impressive when performing a 360 Pop Shuv-It (swing the remote in a circle) versus a 360 Flip (tilt the remote before swinging a circle). Again, it sounds simple – but this is one of the few games that remind us that the Wii remote was once (and occasionally still is) a gaming innovation.

The control complexities pile on quick, so don’t jump into this game with the thought of leaving a half hour later. Set aside an hour or two before trying to grasp the mechanics, which are difficult at first but are also very rewarding, especially when all the moves start to feel natural and make sense.

Skate It tries to add a bit of storytelling in the form of a photographer and videographer looking to make a movie about you and the demolished city you love to skate around in. Some catastrophic event has wrecked this fictitious land, which is now the perfect place to grind. While completely unnecessary, the story allowed the developers to build a presentation that differed from the Tony Hawk norm (where day 1 = shred and day 35 = shred some more!).

Gameplay: 8.7
Skate It brings a fresh gameplay and control structure to the genre and to Nintendo Wii.

Graphics: 7
"Hey, these graphics are terrific. What year is it? 2002, right? Oh, it's 2008? I guess they don't look so hot after all."

Sound: 7.9
The soundtrack is mostly good, the sound effects are typical, and the voice-overs are just kind of there.

Difficulty: Medium
One of the more intense extreme sports games.

Concept: 8.5
Skate It takes the way you control your boarder in a whole new direction.

Overall: 8.6
The best extreme sports game available for Wii this Christmas.