OlliOlli: Switch Stance Review

Skateboarding has never been something I’ve been very good at during any span of my lifetime. It’s not because I didn’t try. I did! But I was often a bit cautious and falling a lot and being averse to pain kept me from really committing myself to the sport. Now I finally have a way to pull off crazy tricks, grind rails, and perform greater stunts than I ever could have in real life with OlliOlli: Switch Stance on the Switch! Can’t skate in a train? I can! Sort of… I pull out my Switch and try my best to grab the highest score I can before my final destination (usually work or home, not the scary movie kind).

The moves and tricks can be pulled off with the greatest of ease with the insanely approachable trick system. All you need to do is pull down on the left stick to prepare your little rider to get some air. Next you either rotate that stick 90, 180, or 270 degrees to pull off an advanced move. Do you get bored just jumping off cliffs and over stairs? No worries! Just pull that stick down over a rail and ride that sucker spitting sparks the entire way. Time it right and you can pull off a perfect landing and increase your score by quite a lot!

OlliOlli is actually two games in one, doubling your pleasure. You have access to the original plus the sequel that boasts better graphics. Both games are incredibly fun and simple to learn. While it is easy to pick up, to master this game will take some serious practice. You’ll need some serious hand-eye coordination to pull off a perfectly timed landing on all of the jump and rail grinds, but once you get into the groove it all comes together beautifully. I have been able to complete some levels without a sloppy landing, but not many. OlliOlli is a completionist’s dream or nightmare depending on your point of view. Trying to get five stars on every level seems a daunting task, but I’m sure some gamers out there will be up to the challenge.

Whether you want to sit down for a long time and try to master each level or you just want to pick it up for a few minutes to pass the time by while you’re waiting for an appointment or something, then OlliOlli should suit that purpose just fine for you. The levels are varied and challenging. The music is meant to keep you amped and on point. The most difficult thing for me to get the hang of was getting used to pulling down on the right stick to land a rail slide, but to be able to tap the B button should you miss to avoid that sloppy landing. Stairs also proved to be quite the challenge for me. The animation for crashing down the stairs is worth doing a few times just for kicks. Maybe it’s a bit cruel, but who cares? It’s a game and meant to entertain, even if that means watching a skater smack his face on the concrete over and over again.

If you’ve been itching for a skateboarding game for your Switch then this one should fill that hole in your life. In fact, after taking a quick look through the eShop I couldn’t find another skateboarding game. If you’re wondering if this is a good purchase I’m here to tell you that it is. It’s not a Tony Hawk type game. It’s a side scrolling, 2D downhill score grab. There is no adventure here, just timing and muscle memory in some cases. However, this is an extremely fun and entertaining game that should appeal to all ages. Download OlliOlli: Switch Stance and start skating your way into the record books!

Jay Kittelson

Jay has been an avid gamer since the Intellivision days.  His hobbies include building PCs, 3D modeling and printing, and spending time with his children and dog.