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Now, we've only seen the C64 version, so it may be a bit unfair to compare this game with 720°. But I reckon that if you're a skateboarder and not a coin-op player - there must be a few of you around! - you're going to find that Skate Or Die is a more accurate representation of your sport.

Graphics, sound and animation are excellent - although the whole thing is let down by the incredibly slow loading time on the disc version I played.

The game starts in the skate shop where you can choose your board and decide if you want to practise or go for broke and play all the events. Here you'll get your first glimpse of Rodney, the aging punk owner of the shop - what a state to be in!

Then it's out on the streets where you choose which event you want to compete in by simply skating down the street with the name of the event spray-painted on it.

There are five events that you can skate individually, or in sequence with "Compete All". But you have to have two joysticks to "Compete All" against a buddy. If you don't have a buddy, there's always Lester the computer player.

1. Freestyle Ramp There's a hundred feet of wood and steel, curved into a wide and smooth U-shape just waiting for someone like you to pop some incredible moves. You start on the left platform, aching to boogie. Move the controller forward or back to choose your entry position.
   
   After you drop in, you'll have ten passes through the ramp, executing tricks at the left, right, or both ends. As you make a pass, click the button in the pump zones to increase your speed and to select a particular trick. You'll also need to learn the controller either into the direction you're going or away from the direction you're going.
   
   Over-the-channel aerials score big, as does executing a wide range of tricks end-to-end.
2. High Jump
   Sheer guts event. Go fast to get high. While you're in the ramp, move the controller rapidly in any direction to build speed - but you can take a breather while you're in the air if you want. You get a maximum of five passes on the right side where the height marker is. Of course, you don't have to wait all five passes. To actually go for it and record the attempt, click the button at the highest point of your jump.
3. Downhill Race
   Race against time and collect bonuses along the way. Skate under, through, on top of, over, and along any number of "opportunities". Pick your own style of controls on this one. Regular foot means pulling the controller back moves you downhill, controller forward makes you slow or stop. Goofy foot means you control the skater as if you're on the board.
4. Downhill Jam
   Inner city, back alley blazin'. Pop soda cans, mash trash cans, bust a few bottles, crash flower pots and, hey, why not each other! You fight time and your buddy (if you ain't got one, we supply Lester) to reach the main street first. Careful though, there's a reception party waiting. The controls are like Downhill Race, with regular and goofy foot options available. Click and lean into the direction you're facing to punch, either high, middle or low.
5. Pool Joust
   An empty pool, a sunny day, and a boffing stick. Rules are simple. Two go in, one comes out. It's a rad new twist on the game of tag. You get five passes to get your opponent, then he takes the boffin stick and the tables are turned - you're it. First one to get three slams on the other guy wins, but you gotta win by two.

My fave events are the Jam and the Downhill - but the others are just as much fun.

Great sound effects and driving Rob Hubbard intro tune make Skate Or Die a real must for skateboarders.

Overall, if I was a C64 owner I'd go for Skate Or Die if I wanted realism - 720° if I was a fan of the arcade game. Can't really say about the other versions - but I doubt if the excitement and presentation of Skate Or Die could be repeated as effectively on the Spectrum and Amstrad.