Introduction:Jackass is probably best described as 'car crash tv'. A phenomenon that exists whereby although we know we really shouldn't be looking, we can't help but take a peek at what's going on. For anyone who doesn't have MTV or access to the media for that matter, Jackass is a show where grown men at times injure themselves by indulging in just about any stunt your parents told you not to do. Rather than attempt an explanation, you are probably best catching an episode yourself (or one of the two movies) or you could just play the game.

GamePlay:On starting a single player game you can not only select one of four characters but also edit haircuts, clothes, body shape etc to get your Jackass to appear just as you wish. It's then on to the first location - the suburbs. There are six in total but the others don't open until you have completed enough stunts and amassed the required points. Your first mission is to locate your point of contact (marked in red on your handy map) who will dish out your missions, both in text and by a camera 'flythrough' of the recommended route. This could be something like - use the roundabout to propel you through the air, land on the bike and then crash through a sign. The first problem occurs when you fail, as it's then quite a journey to find your contact again. This is pretty much how the game plays out with a host of other collectables scattered around the location, which can reward you with anything from new costumes and abilities.

Occasionally you'll have to play one of the mini-games (which are also available from the main menu) and a few more of these would have greatly helped the overall package. Once you've gained enough points you will also be allowed to attempt the main stunt by locating the white crew van. Obviously these are far more complicated than the other stunts and one wrong move will mean you starting the whole thing all over again but should you succeed a new area will open up. There's also a Multiplayer but with no download play there's little point in even mentioning it, as the odds of you finding someone else who's bought this game are very slim.

Control:One of the huge drawbacks of playing through the various stunts is that the more you progress the more challenging they become. This shouldn't be a problem in itself but what also happens is that new moves are introduced, which not only have to be carried out perfectly but also only flash up momentarily on the screen with no way to view them a second time other than by failing the stunt and starting all over again, making each attempt annoyingly time consuming.

Graphics:While you have to admire the developer's ambition in producing a set of six 'free roaming' environments, it's not what the DS does best. Keeping to the more focused locations, which appear on the PSP would have suited the platform much more. The result is blocky and not in the least pleasing to the eye. The characters are similar and again, even though your character is fully customizable, it would have been much better to produce a single on-screen player that looked a little more presentable. It's a shame really as the initial cut screens look wonderful and if this standard had been maintained throughout the game we'd have had a real awards winner here..

Sound & Music:Even if you like the Jackass theme you'll quickly grow tired of it being endlessly looped throughout this game. Elsewhere there are some great sound effects but other than grunts and groans, don't expect any voice over work from the TV series.

Dual Screen Use: Other than selecting options the touch screen comes into play with two simple mini-games: Dodgeball and Snowball Drive-by. These bear all the hallmarks of being added on at the last minute and become a little tiresome even after a few goes.

Final Comments: As with a growing number of today's titles you have to question the timing of this release as, while there are no doubt still fans of the series around, it isn't linked to a movie or even 'best of' DVD. Instead, the developers are clearly hoping it will find its own audience and it probably would if it weren't for the game's considerable drawbacks. The most annoying of these is the fact that while the environments are free roaming, the missions (or stunts) are very rigid and there's no way to progress until you've completed the current challenge. Another thing, which will even put fans of the series off, is the completely 'over the top' acrobatics, which have to be performed throughout the game and unlike the PSP version here you fly hundreds of feet above the ground on a regular basis. On the plus side it's all fun, harmless stuff although it is likely to struggle to find an audience.

Pro: Open Environments, Customizable Characters
Con: Linear Gameplay, Occasionally Confusing Instructions.
Final Score: 5.2

Reviewed by: Andrew Blanchard