Hobbies And Interests
1080 Snowboarding
"1080 Snowboarding" was Nintendo's own entry into the N64 snowboarding game market. The title features only six tracks, but those that were included were considered quite detailed at the time of the game's release on April 1, 1998. Gaming site IGN called 1080 "the most beautiful snowboarding game ever created." Gamers had their choice of eight characters, each with their own strengths, weaknesses and styles for pulling off tricks. Developers included nine boards, including a secret board that looked like a penguin. Gameplay modes included "Time Attack," "Trick Attack," "Match Race," "Contest Mode" and "Practice Mode."
Big Mountain 2000
Released on October 10, 2000, "Big Mountain 2000" offered both skiing and snowboarding gameplay. Each racer had stats assigned to several categories including speed, cornering, stamina and other considerations. Over time, players could upgrade their favorite character by earning points to be spent on upgrades specific to skiing or snowboarding. Unlockable clothing had specific effects on rider performance, such as lowering wind resistance to allow faster acceleration. "Big Mountain 2000" was actually a reworked re-release of a Japanese game from two years before, and it was criticized by IGN for being behind the times. Reviewer Fran Mirabella III went so far as to say Big Mountain "fails miserably in the graphics department."
Snowboard Kids
"Snowboard Kids" took a lighter approach to snowboarding. The game featured action in the vein of Nintendo's "Mario Kart 64." Cartoonish child snowboarders rocketed through various types of terrain, pulling off simple tricks and attacking each other with a variety of power-ups. Some weapons included bashing other players with frying pans and turning other racers into snowmen. The game allowed multi-player action, with up to four players using a split-screen system.
Snowboard Kids 2
"Snowboard Kids 2" came out for the N64 a year after the original. The sequel used the same graphics engine and basic gameplay mechanics, but it added some new racers, tracks, power-ups and race modes. This fantasy snowboarding title was taken to even more wacky heights, as it allowed players to race in space. Writing for IGN, Matt Casamassina said the game was too similar to the original and felt more like a refresh than a new title.
Twisted Edge Extreme Snowboarding
"Twisted Edge Extreme Snowboarding" was released a few months after Nintendo's much-praised "1080 Snowboarding." This title featured gameplay mechanics similar to 1080, but Casamassina saw it as an inferior title overall. His top criticism was the game's lack of a sense of speed. That said, the title did offer a good variety of courses, riders, boards and tricks. The game supported computer races against three other boarders and two-player, split-screen action.