It has been a very long time since the last snowboarding game was released to systems for the world to enjoy. For some strange reason, this type of video game does not get prodded or re-imagined very often. Ubisoft realized the potential behind such a dead market and created a snowboarding game that revolves around one of the most easily recognizable snowboarding professionals today.

Shaun White Snowboarding has finally landed on every system out there, but thanks to the superstar’s appearance during Nintendo’s E3 press conference, the video game seems to be most anticipated on Nintendo’s two powerhouse systems. The Wii version allows players to execute moves by using the Balance Board, while the DS version utilizes touch-screen motions as much as possible.

Unfortunately for DS users, Shaun White’s Snowboarding works much better with the Wii controls than it does on the touch screen. Ubisoft intended to make the game as easy to use and master as possible, and the player’s ability to perform tricks and stunts with no strain at all is obvious. The game asks you to simply move the stylus while touching the screen to go faster, and pull back to slow down. While this concept seems simple enough, the sense of speed is not executed properly. Jumping is also handled by a quick swipe upwards on the screen. As you can imagine, the game can get confused quite easily in transitions of going fast to jumping into a trick.

When in the air, you are able to scratch and sniff (sniffing optional for gameplay, of course) however you feel inclined to. Chances are that no matter which way you move the stylus or what types of drawings you fabricate invisibly on the touch screen, you will cause the character to perform a neat trick of some kind.

Luckily, board grabs are handled by using the directional pad. Now, if only Ubisoft had used one of the face buttons for jumping, instead of over utilizing the touch screen, the controls would feel a lot more comfortable and less sketchy. In terms of landing after your flurry of tricks are performed, you must simply stop scribbling uncontrollably before the character reaches the snow. If you see a rail and you feel inclined to grind, just guide the character towards it and the connection is almost instant.

Although the controls feel a bit wonky at times, the visual style is well intact and not wonky at all. The character models are stylish and cartoony at the same time, and Ubisoft used an interesting cell-shaded way to color them. Tricks are fun to watch and perform, and the flow of gameplay stays constant. As stated previously, the only issue in terms of visuals surrounded the sense of speed, but the graphics themselves look great.

Goals are varied and fun and the game actually allows the player to execute as many of them at once as he/she wants. Typically, the player is asked to complete a certain speed run or perform specific tricks in order to earn passes. Once the player obtains enough passes, he/she is invited to join Shaun White for a trip to his most coveted snowboarding location. While this is the apparent ultimate goal, the game offers constant, consistent challenges that will maintain your entertainment for hours.

A number of decals are also available around the mountains you are constantly ripping up. These decals will provide the character with specific bonuses, but you can only apply up to three at a time. While this is minor, it still provides a slight strategic element to the entertaining gameplay.

While the game is only mildly satisfying in terms of controls, it can still be fun to play through. If you find yourself addicted to the Wii version, Shaun White Snowboarding on Nintendo DS could very well tame your addiction while you are away from home. 

Gameplay: 7.0
Shaun White Snowboarding delivers a worthwhile experience in a genre that does not come around too often. The challenges are varying enough that the gameplay never really gets old.  

Graphics: 7.5
Ubisoft made the right choice when they decided which direction to take Shaun White Snowboarding’s visual style. The cartoony characters are still cool and fun to look at. The only visual bump revolves around a lacking sense of speed.

Sound: 7.0
With a soundtrack stuffed full of contemporary, up-to-date songs, players will fill directly in tune with the snowboarding lifestyle during each and every run down the digital mountains.

Difficulty: Easy
Shaun White Snowboarding is easy because of the ease of controls that Ubisoft used. The stylus allows access to any number of scribbles and swirls, and these movements on the touch screen do not have to be accurate to work.  

Concept: 6.0
Snowboarding games are few and far between currently, so a fresh face on the market is welcome. Shaun White Snowboarding only needs some minor tweaks to become a staple game in the genre.

Multiplayer: 4.0
Four player competitions are possible in Shaun White Snowboarding, but should only be attempted if each person possesses a copy of the game. Using a single cartridge will take much too long to be worth it.  

Overall: 7.0
Shaun White Snowboarding possesses all the right ingredients to stick around the video-game market. Only a few things must be tweaked, and Ubisoft could definitely have a surefire winner on their hands for years to come.