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Shaun White's Snowboarding World Stage Nintendo Wii

Paul Govan's guide of Shaun White's Snowboarding World Stage. Subscribe to this column via RSS or Newsletter.

Save Ł7
At Amazon Ł12.20

Column:
Family Gamer

Format:
Nintendo Wii

Genre:
Racing

Style:
Thirdperson
Singleplayer
Splitscreen
Cooperative
Competitive

Written on:
29/11/2009

Further reading:
Shaun White's Snowboarding
Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympics
Wii-Fit
Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Snow Princess
Family Ski and Snowboard
Skate It
Racing games
Family Gaming Awards

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Shaun White's Snowboarding World Stage expands and improves on the original's visuals, controls and gameplay. While not as open or explorable as Family Ski and Snowboard, Shaun White's Snowboarding World Stage continues its success of being both accessible and exhilarating. Being the first snowboarding game to support Motion Plus also makes it easier to pick-up and play for children and younger players.

It's one of those type of game genres...

Racing games, although sometimes seen as a sporting sub category, are a well established video game genre in their own right.

But why is it any better than the others...

While other snowboarding and skiing games like We Ski or Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympics focus on recreating, move for move, the snow bound experience, Shaun White's Snowboarding World Stage concentrates on getting the feel and simplicity of the experience right.This boarding aesthetic has players influence rather than directly control the game. This gives it a more laid back and easier feel.

Using either a Wii-mote on its own, the BalanceBoard from Wii-fit or plugging in the Motion Plus add-on you can play through the single player campaign. This takes in challenges from speed runs, token collecting or trick runs. Each slope has a number of different levels like this, and is revisited at different points in the game. As before, there are also half-pipe levels that introduce more trick focused events. But new in Shaun White's Snowboarding World Stage is the inclusion of these half pipe elements within a down-hill slope.

Also new in the sequel are the expanded race modes. Whereas originally you could only take on one other boarder down a slope, you can now compete against up to six computer controlled opponents, in addition to the four human players, to create a much greater sense of competitive racing.

Up to four players can play together competitively or cooperatively. Again, the simplicity and directness of the gameplay makes these multiplayer modes both fun and accessible. The only limitation here is that only one player can use the Balance Board at one time - a limitation of the Nintendo Wii system.

The controls can be as simple as tilting the Wii-mote left and right to steer and giving it a tug to jump. But as you get used to the game, particularly with Motion Plus or Balance Board attached, you realise there are literally hundreds of speed, trick and jump combinations that can be pulled off. Combine this with the character development and range of special moves and you have a fully featured racing game.

So what experience should I play this game for...

The sheer feel of genuine snowboard is a big draw for Shaun White's Snowboarding World Stage. But it's the controls rather than the visuals that continue to impress when you play it. The combination of Balance Board and Motion Plus gives an incredible sense of control and connection to the action. Even without the Balance Board in four player mode,Motion Plus makes these contents real knife edge experiences.

And when can I take a break...

Whereas players look for a more in depth game with Family Ski, Shaun White's Snowboarding World Stage offers something more direct and instant. The addition of Motion Plus in this sequel however means that players can really learn each jump, move and trick with greater accuracy, as well as create their own custom motions.

Stepping onto the slope for the first time in Shaun White's Snowboarding World Stage is an exhilarating experience. The visual blur and rushing wind combine with the nuance controls to make it an incredibly more-ish game.

This is a great game for who...

Very young or novice players will love the simplicity of gameplay. Even the very youngest children or infants can play along with the rest of the family.

Those a little older and intermediates players will enjoy unlocking levels, new characters and the excellent cartoon cut scenes.

Expert players will most likely want to play this with a Balance Board and Motion Plus on the Wii-mote. Setup like this it becomes an experience of real depth. This requires as much deft touch and nuanced control as any other racing game. The four player mode of Shaun White's Snowboarding World Stage on the Nintendo Wii also adds a lot of value to more expert groups of players.

Thanks for reading the review, visit our Family Gaming Awards - the best games for the different people in your family.

Game People family video game reviews support Association of Family Gamers. They also offer niche and anecdotal dad, mum, teen and senior video game reviews.

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