ESPN Winter X-Games: Snowboarding

by Sony

Product Details

• ASIN: B00004U62K
• Media: Video Game
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,845 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Product Description

ESPN X Games: Snowboarding comes loaded with enough runs, tricks, halfpipes, and certainly enough air for all to grab at least a little for themselves. The game plays host to four events: Big Air, Border Cross, Halfpipe, and Slopstyle. If you aren't satisfied by the courses designed by professional snowboarders, then the course editor can be used to create your own unique path down the mountain. If you've ever seen coverage of the X Games on ESPN, you know what kind of crazy moves you'll have pull off to stay in front of the cameras past the first commercial break.

GameSpot Review

Konami's ESPN X-Games Snowboarding is closer to being a snowboarding simulation than any other game before. Fans of the sport will undoubtedly notice and appreciate all of the little extras, like the lounge in the lodge, ski lifts, and helicopter drops, which all add up to make the game completely realistic. Those who may be looking for another SSX will certainly be disappointed by X-Games' sim-styled approach, but those who are looking for a true-to-life snowboarding experience will be overjoyed.

The major difference between X-Games and SSX is that X-Games is based on reality. The game has real boarders, boards, goggles, pants, jackets, sponsors, music, physics, tricks, and just about anything else you can think of. In fact, you even have to earn a living in the game by making snowboarding runs while being filmed for snowboarding movies. When you're making the runs, you can play as one of or against 15 real-life boarders, including top names in the sport like Todd Richards, Jamie Lynn, Shannon Dunn, and Tina Basich. You can also make your own custom snowboarder and take him or her through a career, or you can just cut straight to the chase and tackle X-Game competitions like big air, slope style, and super pipe. The game also includes a no-frills mode where you can just simply board down an open mountain and do whatever you desire - no race, no points, no rules. The freedom and diversity of the modes included in the game easily make X-Games the most expansive and involving snowboarding game ever.

Controlling the action is easy since the game has a straightforward and fairly basic control setup. However, getting good to the point of being able to consistently land tricks and jumps is another story. The game's realistic physics make it hard to learn how to play, since you're consistently fighting your board's amazingly natural tendency to slip out from underneath your feet. Learning not to fall is, of course, extremely important, since your career depends on it. Every time you fall when you're boarding on film, your pay gets reduced.

Visually, ESPN X-Games Snowboarding is a fairly average-looking PS2 title. The models used for the boarders are more than convincing, and they come with articulated facial features, smooth animations, and extremely realistic-looking gear. The terrain and objects like rocks and walls within the levels are wonderfully textured, which gives them a realistically lush and naturally variable look. The game's graphics as a whole aren't anywhere near as flashy as SSX's, but the style does tend to fit the game well.

In the audio department, ESPN X-Games Snowboarding delivers sound effects that help make the visuals more convincing and a soundtrack that makes the game more entertaining. The game features more than 14 different bands, ranging from punk to hip-hop, including bands like Goldfinger, Pepper, Long Beach Dub All Stars, and Strung Out. The real music gives the game a realistic edge, while the diversity in musical styles keeps the soundtrack fresh long after your first race.

In the end, ESPN X-Games Snowboarding is certainly a solid game that has all the elements of a good game. It's also the closest thing to a snowboarding simulation you'll find. Whether or not that's a good thing depends entirely on whether or not you're looking for a snowboarding game that has a steep learning curve, ultrarealistic physics, and career-management elements. ESPN X-Games Snowboarding is not a typical arcade-style snowboarding game like SSX. Both types of games have their pluses and minuses, which ultimately makes the decision of whether the game is right for you a personal one. So if you're thinking of picking this one up but just aren't sure you'll like it, rent it first and see for yourself.
--Ryan Mac Donald--Copyright © 2000 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's fun for real borders!, July 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: ESPN Winter X-Games: Snowboarding (Video Game)

I own both SSX and Winter X games and I do enjoy playing both games, and I rate them both 4 stars! X games is truely a snowborder's game. It's not as flashy as SSX, great snowboarder feeling, getting sponsored is ... sweet!! DC shoes baby! People might think ssx maybe better cuz it's really easy to get into, your average poser can plug it in and just play! Where X game it's not that easy, you have to take time to learn how to play. It will take a while to get used to, but once you get a hang of it, you shouldn't have any problems. One complaint though in snowboarder's mode, you should first start of with money so you can buy different lift passes and get some practice in other words than that it's still... fun to play.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SSX? You must be kidding, ESPN is the best boarding game out, March 4, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: ESPN Winter X-Games: Snowboarding (Video Game)

If you are a true boarder you will see this game blows SSX away. SSX is a fun game but eventually the cuteness of the game will drive you insane. In ESPN Snowboarding you get all well know riders from Peter Line to Tara Dakidas(sorry I have no idea how you spell that.) Also the game is very realistic from the snow you wipe off your board to the zipper on your jacket this game kills SSX. I strongly suggest you go out and buy this game or if your not a real boarder then maybe you should get SSX.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Are You a hardcore rider ?, January 3, 2001

By 

Stephen melnykevich (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: ESPN Winter X-Games: Snowboarding (Video Game)

First off i would like to say WOW ! I have owned this game for a while and I am simply amazed. ESPN certainly hit the jackpot with this game. From rider details, boards, to the mountain and overall gameplay its simply astounding.Also its realistic, you cant throw anything like a 1200 spin like you do in "cool boarders", so you cant really "cheat". If your a rider you can understand where i am comming from. Wanna know how good it is? If you have a new snowboard by basically any top brand name.....no less then 2-3 years old i bet your board is on here, as well as your favorite goggles....heck maybe even your snowboard pants.And amazon I beleive said there is a course designer, I cant seem to remember that? Possibly has something to do If you beat the game i suppose? Anyway I persoanly feel this is the "best" snowbaord game out, possibly best PS2 game out !