SkateBIRD Reviews
SkateBIRD’s attempt to create a Tony Hawk-esque style skateboarding game with birds, is largely underwhelming and struggles to impress. With unresponsive controls and a camera that seems to flip all over the place, SkateBIRD fails to provide any reasons to be worth picking up.
With the exception of the Tony Hawk redux that came to the system earlier this year, the skating scene on Switch has been on the slim side...
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.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
SkateBIRD is a silly little indie game that does quite an impressive job of adapting familiar skateboarding gameplay to a bird-sized world. Completing its missions and finding its collectibles may be rewarding but you'd wish there was much more to it than that.
A whimsical bird-focused take on skateboarding seemed delightful, but in execution, frustration dominated my playtime, whether it was struggling to find missions or battling with the loose controls. Charm is the saving grace that led to me having short-lived enjoyment. Overall, SkateBird is way more reminiscent of the janky but sometimes enjoyable games that came out in the wake of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater's success than the original product itself.
In the end, Skatebird is a charming but flawed game. The cute characters and strong environments are coupled with a camera system that acts haywire anytime you're near an object. The forgiving respawn system becomes brutal when you return to a spot where you're near an object that is difficult to navigate around. The sometimes-dodgy collision detection can make some quests go on longer than they should. It's still a game worth checking out, but here's hoping that some patches can elevate it into something special.
I’m glad that I played SkateBIRD, and it hurts that I’ve had to give it this score. I firmly believe that as games are an art form, game developers should be trying things, even if they don’t ultimately succeed. SkateBIRD is a brilliant idea and it takes a big, heaving swing at it. Sadly, though, it’s a strikeout. However, with that being said, if the developers get another innings, I would play a SkateBIRD 2 without a moment's hesitation, and I would fully expect that the developers would deliver having had this experience.
Cute and quirky skate game... with birds!
SkateBIRD offers a similar skating game to some classics, but with a twist that can make it fun for people who don’t particularly follow the sport and its athletes. Plus, it’s just cute to see a bird with a Mohawk on a skateboard.
Through a great soundtrack and entertaining story beats, SkateBIRD proves that you don’t need to always look to the skies for a game to leave a lasting impression.
Crazy and unique, Skatebird is far from perfect but you should give it a shot.
Review in Italian | Read full review
While SkateBIRD has plenty of frustrations, there's enough fun here to make it worth your time. Just don't expect Pro Skater levels of polish and you'll probably be fine
If you love cute birds and skateboarding, this one is for you! Grab your friends and your tiny deck and pull off some sick combos in the one and only SkateBIRD - a game about trying your best, no matter how big or small you might be.
SkateBIRD is ultimately, incredibly charming, but incredibly flawed. It's fun, when it doesn't punish you for its own shortcomings, and the that doesn't mean it's a faultless experience
I understand why some may be perched on the fence like Tiny Hawk, and maybe you are better off waiting for the holiday sales and the physics to improve. But I'm easy to please, and Skatebird is exactly what I expected. Sure, there are some frustrating moments, but it's a creative representation of the sport I love. It's fun and quirky. And with a quick learning curve and by paying homage to one of the greats, I think most folks could enjoy this arcade skater.
SkateBIRD is an adorable action sports game with a lot of charm and funky beats. Setting aside minor control and camera issues, the unique perspective of being a teeny bird helps bring a refreshing look to the skate game genre. From dirty cereal bowls to server cables, travelling across 5 different levels to help your human come home was enjoyable and engaging. Meeting several interesting and pun-filled birds who help you on your journey just added to the quirk and charm. Glass Bottom Games has done a commendable job making this accessible for all gamers, allowing for a unique player experience.
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 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.
Skatebird's rough skating mechanics are offset by its charming internet-age humor.
Skatebird would have benefited from a little more time in the nest. The game's technical problems make it hard to appreciate the positive aspects of its world. There's definitely room in the market for a more casual skateboarding game, but it needs to have the fundamentals worked out first, and Skatebird isn't there yet - though it has promise if future updates smooth out the experience considerably.