Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip (Wii)

A game that'll make you proud to own a Wii Balance Board
11/19/2008 8:27 PM | 0 Comments | Page 1 of 2

It doesn't happen often, given the bigger budgets of Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 games -- but the best version of Shawn White Snowboarding is on the Nintendo Wii, thanks to its minimalist design, vibrant graphics and satisfying foot controls.

Less is more

Shawn White Snowboarding: Road Trip, as the game is subtitled, doesn't have a lot of features to write home about. There's no online multiplayer, it's extremely linear, and there are only five locations to ski, each with a limited number of downhill runs. But the small scope also underscores what's most important here: screaming down a mountain, getting massive air, and performing gnarly tricks.

Unlike the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game, Road Trip features an exclusive backdrop that has you and a gang of buddies chasing Shaun White around the globe in an effort to "catch up" with him (he's kind of a big deal). To do so, you unlock new resorts and playable characters by completing eight to 10 required objectives per area, including point challenges, races, half-pipe competitions, and collecting soda cans that are scattered along the side of a mountain. There's really no story here, but the setting justifies all the world travel you'll be doing.

Foot controls that work

I was impressed with the Wii Balance Board after playing with it for the first time in 2007. While I couldn't care less about Wii Fit, the software that ships with the peripheral, I was optimistic about the hardware's potential, however limited it might end up being.

Fortunately, Shaun White Snowboarding greatly benefits from the optional Board controls, which are responsive, accurate and more satisfying than futzing around with a controller. But not only are they fun, they make for a better game -- especially one that has players riding on a board.

With the Board turned sideways, you'll immediately be drawn to the enjoyment of pressing down with both feet to perform a jump (you don't actually jump on the board, but this feels just as good and is more controlled). Lean forward to tuck and increase your speed while riding; lean back to slow down or stop. You turn by depressing one of your two rear feet.

From there, you can perform a variety of advanced tricks like carving, manuals, 360s, flips, rail slides and varials when using A- and B-button modifiers with the Wii remote. The Nunchuk is not used, but I never missed it and actually preferred the limited use of the Wii remote so that I could focus on footwork.

There is a moderate learning curve in understanding how some of the Balance Board subtleties work. Initially, I inadvertently stopped when trying to turn at slower speeds, and I wasn't sure how to spin in mid-air. With practice, however, I've corrected both issues and now feel like a seasoned Balance Board rider who can string together some crazy good combos. The longer you play, the more you'll enjoy foot controls -- I promise. They just feel right.