boarding and blading

I am an X-Box owner, so i usually ignore the Gamecube exclsives. But i was at my friend's house and he was going nuts about this game. He said it was like SSX 4, but for GC only. I didn't believe him of course, but i decided to try it since the first 1080 completely pioneered snowboarding games...It isnt quite SSX, but the game flat-out rocked. The graphics are definitely better than SSX (smoothness, models, enviroments...the whole 9), but the trick system is not as good. Also there is not as much depth. It just depends on what you prefer: freestyle with insane tricks, or racing with hardcore speed. And the one thing that really got my attention here was how well this title delivers the element of speed. When you get going down a good slalom course, you really fly.....and i mean very fast. Split-second decisions must be made, just like they would need to be flying down a slope at 60 MPH in real life...but with no risks. Its cool seeing some other humanity on the slopes other than just yourself (as it was in the first game). Now there are plenty of......skiers! Actually it doesnt get in the way of the gameplay, and adds to the realism. There are only 5 characters, at first, But there are also unlockables.
The multiplayer, i am glad to say, is worthy of being called a multiplayer this time around. It is FOUR PLAYER. Repeat, FOUR PLAYER. Believe me...having four snowboarders racing for one goal at insane speeds while staying within about 2 feet from eachother is some really intense stuff. Once again, the illusion of speed is pulled off perfectly, and you will be on the edge of your seat until you hit that power button...if you can bring yourself to do such a thing. Overall i would say this game is about as good as SSX 3 minus the trick system. So, once again, its basicly a matter of personal preference: freestyle with some awesome tricks and plenty of depth, or a racing simulation with some INTENSE speed, as well as hardcore graphics and multiplayer action. Those of you who have had your doubts about this title. Stop worrying.....forever.

I really like this game, I was a huge fan of the first one and played it until there was nothing left to accomplish...I am on my way there with this one. I'm new to the gamecube but the graphics are the best that I have seen yet. The controls are good, I like how different each character rides as well. A great improvement over the previous 1080 is that if you are quick, you can correct your balance before you fall. But this does not make up for the decline in the trick system. I don't even like doing the trick challanges in this game, riding through the levels is where you will really have fun with this game. The sound effects are good but the music is hit or miss, depending on your style. And for everybody that has not seen an avalanche they must not have given it a fair chance...there is avalanches if you get far enough into the game. I personally love snowboarding and spend as much time on the mountains as possible, and for a video game this is the most accurate to the sport that I have played (not too accurate of course, because then it wouldn't be fun). Overall I found this game to be just as addicting if not more than the N64 edition...and much better than SSX!

1080 Avalanche is like half a bowl of Frosted Flakes, GRRRRRREAT but not enough! Great graphics, great controls, great sounds, but what happened to this game's longevity factor? After playing for an hour, you get the feeling there's two characters to select from, and half as many stages to explore. You do the math.

The characters are well designed, but a serious lack there of makes that fact almost meaningless. The stages are superb, but once again, what good is a stage or two if there's only a stage or two? Nintendo distributed samples of 1080 in department stores for many months before this GameCube exclusive title was released, and from what I played, I found it a remarkable experience. When I purchased the game for $50 (many months ago), it was to my surprise the game wasn't worth half that. Today, 1080 Avalanche remains upwards of that price. To add injury to insult, the tricks could have been more polished. Other than that, the controls are excellent.

Nintendo can't expect massive sales from a game that's superior in all categories except endurance. The length of a game time and time again will prove to be its most vital element. That's all games, one player, two player, twelve players, sports games, role playing, and everything in between.

A low rating is given for a major reason. 1080 Avalanche is still half a hundred dollars since its release. A fair price would be $30, but even that's pushing it. Nintendo had a great game in the making, but mediocre stamina has left this title begging for sales. Chi-Ching!