720° (1989-)

• Developer: Atari

• Publisher: Mindscape

• Genre: Sports

• Producer: Graeme Scott

• Composer: Hal Canon, Earl Vickers

720 was developed by Nintendo and released in 1987 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), with Nintendo as the publisher. The game is a skateboarding-themed action title inspired by the extreme sports culture emerging during the 1980s, particularly the popularity of vert skateboarding and the 720-degree spin trick. It sought to capture the excitement of performing tricks and stunts on a half-pipe ramp in an arcade-style format, bringing skateboarding action to home consoles.

In 720, players control a skateboarder attempting to complete a series of increasingly difficult runs by performing spins, flips, and grabs on a vertical half-pipe ramp. The primary goal is to execute a 720-degree spin, which requires precise timing and control. Gameplay focuses on balancing the skateboarder’s momentum while managing the character’s position and executing tricks to rack up points. The controls are straightforward but require skillful timing to pull off the more advanced maneuvers, making the game both accessible and challenging.

The soundtrack in 720 is minimal, featuring simple tunes and sound effects that enhance the sense of speed and accomplishment when successfully landing tricks. Given the NES’s hardware limitations and the game’s arcade-style design, the music serves as a background rather than a prominent feature. Sound effects such as the swoosh of the skateboard and the crowd’s cheers provide feedback and add energy to the gameplay experience.

720 did not have a prequel or direct sequels, and its release was relatively low-key compared to other NES titles. Promotion focused mainly on its appeal to fans of sports and action games, with some coverage in gaming magazines highlighting its unique skateboarding concept. Reception was mixed; while players appreciated the attempt to translate skateboarding to a video game format, some found the gameplay repetitive and the controls challenging to master. Nevertheless, 720 remains an interesting early example of skateboarding in video games.

Images from MobyGames