Skatebird

Skatebird is a cute and original arcade skating game supported by great music, but the skating itself is crude, the objectives are boring, and the camera is a regular hassle.

A sometimes wonky skating game that makes up for its jank with birbish moxie.

It’s just overall not that well executed. The physics and gameplay are not where they should be. The levels are just okay. The goals are rarely entertaining. But you’re here for the birds, right? There are definitely skateboarding birds, I can guarantee they are in SkateBIRD. I’m not even being sarcastic, the birds are absolutely great. Just try to focus on that and nothing else.

SkateBIRD is a creative addition to a genre lacking in variety, and its fun concept has clearly been realised with a lot of love. However, despite its potential, the best parts of the concept are underused, with neither the miniature skaters nor the addition of wings bringing much to excite. While the core gameplay is functional, the play feel is not fluid and the level design and laborious structure are always working against the fun. To top it off, the rudimentary graphics are needlessly hazy. More of a turkey than a pretty boy, then, unfortunately.

There a lot of elements of SkateBIRD that are great. The birds are fun, as is customizing them and finding more things with which to dress them up. Their little adventure is also fun, the soundtrack is excellent, and the levels are fun miniaturized takes on the normal skatepark fare. It’s just that there is so much dragging these charming elements down, the most noticeable of which is the actual skating and the physics involved with it. SkateBIRD might be fun to experience for its premise and cuteness, but those looking for a good technical skate game experience will likely find their expectations crashing and burning frequently, much like most of my sessions with it.

Skatebird's rough skating mechanics are offset by its charming internet-age humor.

Cute and quirky skate game... with birds!

SkateBIRD is capable enough to ensnare players looking for a game that encapsulates its simple, clever pun. Beyond that, however, is a passable skating experience that would have benefited from a touch more polish and a slightly more vibrant world.

SkateBIRD could have improved its physics and fixed problems that have been present since its first release. Still, the content additions that have been made and its natural charisma make it worth a few hours of gameplay.

SkateBIRD is a fun, cute take on classic skateboarding games that can entertain you and keep you busy for a few hours. The game is great for relaxing and casual play for true skateboarders. While it doesn’t offer many hours of gameplay, it does have several fun elements, particularly the gameplay itself, completing challenges, collecting cosmetic items, the soundtrack, and the game levels. I would recommend this game mainly to players who love skateboarding games but have grown tired of the existing ones. I also suggest that Xbox Game Pass members at least give it a try. In my opinion, SkateBIRD is an original and fun concept, but it’s missing a lot. The development studio could have added more content to the game—and especially multiplayer—so that it would remain fun even after the first three hours.