Reviews// Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip

What dialogue there is borders on a mildly insulting caricature of snowboarding jargon, but stops just short and feels more like a good natured jibe. This is complemented by details such as regularly-sent emails from fellow snowboarders and the occasional spammer, as well as elements such as new characters to meet, all of which rounds the game out enough to make it feel like more than just a set of assigned tasks.

The sound deserves an honourable mention, too. For one, the scraping noise as you hit a patch of ice is spot on. For two, the soundtrack includes Dashboard by Modest Mouse and Don't Fear the Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult. Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division, my favourite ever track to ride to has been sadly omitted, but that's my problem...

SWS Road Trip comes complete with split-screen multi-player, co-op and a hot seat mode for up to four players. It's not the online mode offered in the next-gen versions, but it's enjoyable enough and adds replayability. Problem is – only one of you can play with the Balance Board. I know there aren't going to be a lot of households out there with more than one Balance Board sitting around in front of the telly (in the cupboard?), but surely there are some folk out there with a friend or two that have one they can bring around? It would be nice to have the option...

This brings me to controlling the game with the Wii Remote. I've thus far ignored it, because the hook of Road Trip really is the Balance Board controls. Using the Wii Remote basically substitutes shifting your weight on the board with waggling the phallus in your hand. It works fine. It's also easier in some cases than using the board. It's just... not as much fun, basically. With the Balance Board, I'd recommend this game to anyone who... well, anyone who likes this sort of game. Without... it doesn't suck. You probably won't hate it. You might wish you spent your cash on something else, though.


Conclusion

Fun! Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip is fun. The Balance Board controls work well and, combined with slick, charming visuals, make for a thoroughly entertaining experience. It's not faultless and it won't set your world on fire, but if you're missing the snow and looking for something to keep you going until you find some, this will do the trick.

SPOnG Score: 81%

Note: Bunney said Shaun White gave him wind. The game, not the person. Something to do with his posture, I believe. It wasn't a problem for me, but it seemed only fair to warn you...