DESCRIPTION

The Snowboard Kids are back in this sequel to 1997's cartoon-based racer. New features include the ability to race against boss characters in Story Mode, six different courses, three Skill Games and an enhanced control interface to perform tricks. For those unfamiliar with the original, the game is played from a perspective behind your "kid" as you race down 3D courses in an attempt to finish first.

Since the other three characters are aiming to do the same thing, they'll try to win using any means at their disposal. This means running over weapon power-ups and firing them when you least expect it. Fortunately, you can do the same thing! If all goes as planned, you'll be able to make up some ground while your opponent recovers from the attack.

Weapons available on the slopes include slap sticks (each shot knocks an opponent down), parachutes, freeze shots, bombs, snowmen (each shot turns your opponent into a large, slow snowman) and whirlwinds. As in the original, you'll also be able to purchase items using coins collected on the courses.

A total of nine items are available for purchase: ghosts to slow down opponents; super ghosts to "haunt" everyone on the slopes; speed fans to boost ahead of the competition; rocket boosters for faster acceleration; pans to drop on your opponents' heads; invisibility to protect your character from harm; wings to make you jump higher; rocks to drop as obstacles; and two types of rat faces to steal money from one or all of your opponents.

Besides running over coins along the courses, players can also earn money by performing tricks. This money can be saved to purchase new boards or even custom paint jobs! Snowboard Kids 2 features a total of nine different characters, each rated in speed, balance and trick ability.

The three included Skill Games consist of a Speed Cross, Shoot Cross and Trick Game. Speed Cross has your character trying to get to school by 8:30 a.m., while the Shoot Cross involves delivering newspapers to twenty mailboxes within the time limit. The Trick Game challenges your character to earn more than 300 points before time elapses. Built-in data files allow players to save purchased boards, unlocked courses and progress during Story Mode. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide