by Russ Fischer
Xbox 360 / Playstation 3
On both systems, Shaun White delivers a supremely detailed snowboarding simulation that seamlessly integrates solo and online multiplayer modes. Four mountains -- in Park City, Alaska, Europe and Japan -- feature challenges oriented around racing, tricks and specialty events like peak boarding, where you'll use natural ice and rock formations to ramp into tricks. How big are the mountains? Big enough that you won't reach the top without a helicopter.
While the environments are expansive, the controls are simple. One analog stick controls tricks, with a trigger (360) or shoulder button (PS3) acting as a modifier to make dozens of variations possible. With a simulation approach rather than arcade exaggeration, you won't be leaping fifty feet into the air, but the tricks are no less impressive.
Wii
For Nintendo's console, Shaun White receives a unique subtitle: Road Trip. Though it lacks the integrated multiplayer and cutting-edge graphics of the PS3 and 360 versions, this game has a real trump card in the form of well-tuned Wii Balance Board controls. Just stand on the board and shift your weight to control the on-screen character's speed, steering and tricks.
The peripheral adds a dynamic and welcome dimension to digital snowboarding. The controls feel great and make Road Trip unlike any other action sports title to hit the system so far. The downside is that not everyone has a balance board lying around. For those without, the $49.99 game becomes $149.98 with the addition of the Wii Fit package...assuming you can find one.
PSP
If you find change frightening, the PlayStation Portable installment of Shaun White should be right up your alley. The controls are straightforward, using the analog stick to turn and the face buttons for jumps and tricks. Each race and trick run is short enough to be played in a few minutes; more than any other game in the lineup, the PSP release is meant to be played in bite-size bits. The slopes aren't as basic as the ones in the DS version, either. There's some choice to be had on each mountain, though for true open-world exploration, you'll have to hit the big consoles.
The main feature here is a pseudo role-playing component, as you'll constantly be upgrading your chosen rider. Much as in classic action sports games of the past, you can tweak tricking and jumping abilities or enhance your speed and carving. All towards one goal: mastering the mountain.
DS
The Shaun White release for Nintendo's portable may lack the Road Trip subtitle, but it looks a lot like the Wii game. The key difference, obviously, is that the DS lacks a balance board peripheral. So you'll control a boarder entirely by manipulating a board icon with the stylus. Drag the virtual board on the lower screen and you can affect steering and speed. Flick the stylus from bottom to top in order to jump, at which point drawing on the screen will perform tricks. Nail the landing and you'll earn a speed boost.
Where the Wii game focuses on the single-player experience, the DS Wi-Fi connection allows up to four players to race together, which is a real advantage. Solo players have their own incentive to perform, however, as stickers can be found and earned while on the mountain. Slap up to three on your board at once to enhance abilities and push the game into Olympic realms.
Posted: 10 Nov 2008
