Rocket Power: Zero Gravity Zone is a skateboarding title that allows you take control of the characters from the hit Nickelodeon TV show.  The gameplay is very derivative, ripping off the Tony Hawk GBA games very blatantly.  However, the game is fun (although a bit repetitive) and will appeal to fans of the show and its cartoony approach to extreme sports.               

There really isn’t much in terms of story as far as Zero Gravity Zone is concerned.  You simply play as a member of the Rocket Power gang (Otto, Twister, Reggie, Sam or Lars) as you play around at a goofy skate park.  You complete goals (lifted straight from Tony Hawk) like collecting letters to spell out certain words, gathering items, and getting a high score all before the timer runs out.  This allows you to collect money.  By collecting money, you can unlock new areas and buy items, like skateboards and snowboards, to optimize your stats.

The game has some pretty diverse levels.  You start out with access to Monster Manor, a haunted level with ghosts and bats and such, and you gradually gain access to other levels like Toy World, Mammoth Peak (a snowboarding stage), Kahuna Island, and several more.

The action in the game takes place from a pseudo 3D isometric perspective, much like the GBA Tony Hawk games.  Pulling off moves is fairly easy, even special moves are a breeze.  You have the ability to do manuals and link grinds together, although you can’t perform reverts, which could allow you to link air tricks.  While controlling tricks is simple enough, controlling your character on the board is a different matter.  The boards handle way too sensitively as you turn, often spinning you around in a circle. Running into invisible walls and stopping dead in your tracks can also be very frustrating (especially while performing a vert trick).

The graphics in Zero Gravity Zone are colorful and nice.  While the stages can look pretty bland, the characters are nicely animated and look like their TV counterparts.

The sound effects are also pretty good. The music is catchy and light and goes well with the show. There are some limited voice effects and basic sound effects.

Zero Gravity Zone is a pretty blatant rip-off of Tony Hawk’s gameplay formula, although the level structure grows pretty repetitive after a while.  However, fans of the show should be amused for a little while at least.

Gameplay: 6.9
Zero Gravity Zone borrows quite liberally from the GBA Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series in terms of gameplay, from the mission system to the game’s isometric graphical style.  This can be fun, albeit derivative.  Plus the mission structure does get a little repetitive and the board controls are a little frustrating.

Graphics: 7.0
The graphics are colorful and vibrant and do a fine job of mirroring the TV show.  However, the environments are pretty bland and lack detail.

Sound: 7.0
The music is light and mirrors the attitude of the show pretty well.  There are some voice effects and the sound effects sound pretty good.

Difficulty: Medium                                                                                                                     

Concept: 6.0
The gameplay and presentation is very derivative, and the game is seriously lacking in originality.

Multiplayer: 7.0
The game utilizes several modes of two-player gameplay, like Tag, Collect the Flag and Highest Score.

Overall: 7.0
Zero Gravity Zone is a mildly diverting title that may initially appeal to fans of the TV show, but doesn’t really have enough lasting appeal to hold their interest.  However, it can be fun for a little while.