Story and Setting

Snowboard Kids 2 takes place in Snow Town, the hometown of the game’s protagonists. The story follows the daily lives and adventures of the kids, as well as the rather ridiculous attempts of Damien, the game’s antagonist, to sabotage them.

The game features a cast of colorful characters, each with their own unique personality and snowboarding style. Players can choose to play as one of eight characters:

Nancy: A skilled snowboarder and the leader of the Snow Kids.

Tommy: A laid-back snowboarder who is always up for a challenge.

Linda: A shy and timid snowboarder who is just starting to find her confidence.

JP: A confident and arrogant snowboarder who is always looking for a way to show off.

Slash: A mysterious snowboarder who wears a mask and never speaks.

Pete: A large and powerful snowboarder who is known for his strength.

Jam: A small and agile snowboarder who is known for his speed.

Damien: The game’s antagonist, a rich and spoiled snowboarder who is always trying to ruin the Snow Kids’ fun.

Gameplay

The gameplay of Snowboard Kids 2 is similar to its predecessor, but with a few key differences. The game features three distinct playing modes:

Story mode: The main mode of the game, which follows the game’s plot and uses the classical system of cash prizes by winning the races.

Battle mode: A multiplayer mode where players can compete against each other in a variety of different events.

Training mode: A mode where players can practice their snowboarding skills.

One of the biggest changes in Snowboard Kids 2 is the addition of new items and weapons. These items can be used to give players an advantage in races or battles. Some of the new items include:

Rocket: A weapon that propels the player forward at high speed.

Wings: An item that allows the player to glide through the air.

Whirlwind: A weapon that creates a whirlwind that can knock opponents off their boards.

Another change in Snowboard Kids 2 is the addition of the ability to do multiple tricks while in the air. This allows players to string together combos to earn more points and impress the judges.

Graphics and Sound

Snowboard Kids 2 features colorful and vibrant graphics that bring the world of Snow Town to life. The character models are well-animated and the environments are detailed and varied. The game’s soundtrack is also excellent, with a mix of upbeat and catchy tunes that perfectly capture the game’s atmosphere.

Legacy

Snowboard Kids 2 was a critical and commercial success, selling over one million copies worldwide. The game was praised for its fast-paced and exciting gameplay, its charming characters, and its beautiful graphics. Snowboard Kids 2 is still considered one of the best snowboarding games ever made, and it remains a popular choice for retro gamers today.

Conclusion

Snowboard Kids 2 is a classic snowboarding game that still holds up today. The game’s fast-paced and exciting gameplay, charming characters, and beautiful graphics make it a must-play for fans of the genre. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to the series, Snowboard Kids 2 is sure to provide hours of enjoyment.

Summary

Release Year: 1997
Genres: Racing, Sport
Platforms: Nintendo 64
Developers: Racdym
Publishers: Atlus

Snowboard Kids (1997) is a snowboarding game developed by Racdym and published by Atlus for the Nintendo 64. It was released in Japan on December 12, 1997, and in North America and Europe in 1998. The game features nine playable characters, each with their own unique abilities and stats. Players race down various courses, collecting items and using special weapons to attack their opponents.

Snowboard Kids was a critical and commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide. It was praised for its innovative gameplay, colorful graphics, and catchy music. The game has been ported to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service in 2023.

Gameplay

Snowboard Kids is a racing game in which players control one of nine characters as they race down various courses. The game features nine main courses, each with its own unique obstacles and challenges. In addition to the main courses, there are also several bonus courses that can be unlocked by completing certain tasks.

Players can use a variety of tricks and techniques to gain an advantage over their opponents. These include performing grabs, spins, and flips. Players can also collect items that can help them, hinder other players, or both. Items include speed boosts, invincibility shields, and weapons.

Snowboard Kids also features a unique two-item system. This allows players to carry two items at the same time, one shooting item and one support item. Shooting items can be used to attack other players, while support items can be used to help the player, such as by increasing their speed or protecting them from attacks.

Characters

There are nine playable characters in Snowboard Kids. Each character has their own unique abilities and stats. The characters are:

Slash: A well-rounded character with no major strengths or weaknesses.
Nancy: A fast and agile character, but with low strength.
Tommy: A strong and powerful character, but with low speed.
Linda: A technical character with good all-around stats.
Jam: A beginner-friendly character with easy-to-control stats.
Sabu: A fast and agile character, but with low strength.
Pete: A strong and powerful character, but with low speed.
Mike: A technical character with good all-around stats.
Shinobin: A hidden character that can be unlocked by completing certain tasks.

Courses

There are nine main courses in Snowboard Kids. Each course has its own unique obstacles and challenges. The courses are:

Beginner’s Slope: A simple course designed for beginners.
Forest Course: A winding course through a forest.
Valley Course: A wide-open course with plenty of space to maneuver.
Amusement Park Course: A course set in an amusement park, with obstacles such as roller coasters and Ferris wheels.
Desert Course: A sandy course with ramps and jumps.
Highway Course: A dark and dangerous course set on a highway.
Japanese Village Course: A course set in a Japanese village during the cherry blossom festival.
Rainbow Course: A bonus course that can be unlocked by completing certain tasks.
Expert Course: A bonus course that can be unlocked by completing certain tasks.

Reception

Snowboard Kids was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its innovative gameplay, colorful graphics, and catchy music. The game sold over 1 million copies worldwide.

Snowboard Kids was also nominated for several awards, including “Best Racing Game” at the 1998 Golden Joystick Awards.

Legacy

Snowboard Kids is considered to be one of the best snowboarding games ever made. It has been praised for its innovative gameplay, colorful graphics, and catchy music. The game has been ported to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service in 2023.

Snowboard Kids has also spawned a sequel, Snowboard Kids 2, which was released in 1999. Snowboard Kids 2 features new characters, courses, and items.

Conclusion

Snowboard Kids is a classic snowboarding game that still holds up today. With its innovative gameplay, colorful graphics, and catchy music, it’s a must-play for any fan of the genre.