Summary
- Release Year: 1987
- Genres: Arcade, Racing, Sport
- Platforms: Nintendo Entertainment System
- Developers: Rare
- Publishers: Nintendo
Slalom (1987)
Slalom is a skiing video game developed by Rare and published by Nintendo for the NES. It was released in North America in 1987 and in Europe in 1988. The game is a downhill skiing simulation in which the player races against the clock to complete a series of slalom runs.
Slalom was the first NES game developed outside Japan and the Stamper brothers’ first game released under the Rare brand. It was a critical and commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide. The game was praised for its realistic graphics, smooth gameplay, and challenging difficulty.
Gameplay
Slalom is a downhill skiing simulation in which the player races against the clock to complete a series of slalom runs. The player controls a skier who must navigate through a series of gates while avoiding obstacles such as trees, rocks, and other skiers. The player must also be careful not to fall or crash, as this will cost them valuable time.
The game features six different courses, each with its own unique challenges. The courses are progressively more difficult, and the player must complete each course in order to advance to the next one.
The player’s time is displayed at the top of the screen, and the player must reach the finish line before the time expires. If the player runs out of time, they will lose the race and have to start over.
Development
Slalom was developed by Rare, a British video game development company founded in 1985 by the Stamper brothers. The game was the first NES game developed outside Japan, and it was also the first game released under the Rare brand.
The Stamper brothers were inspired to create Slalom after playing the arcade game Ski Champ. They wanted to create a more realistic and challenging skiing game for the NES, and they spent over a year developing Slalom.
The game’s graphics were created using a technique called “sprite multiplexing.” This technique allowed the developers to create more detailed and realistic sprites than was possible with the NES’s limited hardware.
Reception
Slalom was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its realistic graphics, smooth gameplay, and challenging difficulty. It was also one of the first NES games to feature a battery-backed save function, which allowed players to save their progress and continue playing later.
Slalom sold over 1 million copies worldwide, and it was one of the best-selling NES games of 1987. The game was also nominated for several awards, including “Game of the Year” from Electronic Gaming Monthly.
Legacy
Slalom is considered to be one of the classic NES games. It was one of the first games to successfully simulate the sport of skiing, and it helped to establish Rare as one of the leading video game developers in the world.
Slalom has been released on several compilation discs, including Rare Replay for the Xbox One. The game is also available on the Nintendo Switch Online service.
Tips for Playing Slalom
- Use the D-pad to control your skier.
- Press the A button to accelerate.
- Press the B button to brake.
- Use the left and right shoulder buttons to turn.
- Be careful not to fall or crash.
- Try to stay as close to the center of the gates as possible.
- Don’t be afraid to use the brakes to slow down before turns.
- Practice makes perfect!
Fun Facts
- Slalom was the first NES game to feature a battery-backed save function.
- The game’s music was composed by David Wise, who would later go on to compose the music for many other Rare games, including Donkey Kong Country and Banjo-Kazooie.
- Slalom was one of the first NES games to be released in Europe.
- The game was originally going to be called “Skiing,” but the name was changed to Slalom to avoid confusion with another NES game called Skiing or Die.
- Slalom is still considered to be one of the best skiing games ever made.
Review Score
7.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
