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The one area where the Nintendo 64 is not lacking is in the racing category, and yet more keep on coming out. Luckily most of them are fun to play. Think of Snowboard Kids as Mario Kart 64 on snowboards and you've got a general idea of how this game plays. Even though this is Atlus's first game on the Nintendo 64, the overall quality and excellent play mechanics make this one of the most enjoyable games available.

It seems like the snowboarding craze is finally hitting the video game systems in full force. Cool Boarders 2 and Steep Slope Sliders have already appeared on competing systems. Not to be left out, the Nintendo 64 now has its own snowboarding game and two more are on the way. While Nintendo will be bringing out 1080 in early April, a game that will focus on the realism of the sport, Snowboard Kids is available right now. Relying on its wackiness and all-out fun, this title is sure to win gamers over.

As in many games of this type, Snowboard Kids features a host of different modes of play. For beginners there is the tutorial mode that will show how the different moves are executed. Time attack, stunt mode, and speed mode are all extra ways to play the game, and a good way to earn money to buy a new and improved boards. The meat of the game takes place in the battle mode. This mode can be played with one to four players simultaneously. Before even slipping on to the ski lift you'll have to choose the character and type of board you want to use. Each has its own attributes (speed, cornering, etc.) so you'll have to experiment with different combinations to find out what suits you best.

The single player game pits you against three other boarders. By finishing first on each level you'll earn a gold cup. Regardless of your placing in each race you'll usually be awarded with some money. You can then buy a better board to increase your chances of beating your opponents (which can be quite difficult to do). The multiplayer mode is exactly the same except you don't earn any money at the end of the race, and therefore can't purchase a new board. No matter which mode you play in, you're bound to have a good time.

Scattered throughout each course are red and blue boxes (the manual says they're shops) that you can run over to collect various power-ups. In order to pay for the enhancements you'll need to collect the coins that are placed on each level. You can also earn money by doing a trick off of a jump. These weapons are necessary for you win the race. They are similar to those found in Mario Kart 64. Instead of turtle shells and mushrooms there are bombs and booster fans. The variety of the items is quite refreshing and keeps the races exciting. The races are usually very close and it's not uncommon to see someone in fourth place suddenly take first near the end. I found the races to be almost as furious as those found in Mario Kart 64, especially when playing with a few friends.

One thing that really stands out in Snowboard Kids is the high quality of graphics. They look like they're ripped right out of Diddy Kong Racing. Each level is highly detailed and very colorful. The characters are overly cute with short bodies and big deformed noses. There's a great deal of variety in all the levels in the game so it never becomes tiresome to go another round. The terrain is constantly changing within each race. One minute you'll be racing down the icy slope and before you know it you'll be surfing across a small patch of open water. Caves, cliffs, sunflower patches, and rivers will all be traversed throughout the game. With all the different locales and special effects the game never slows down, even in the four-player mode.

A true rarity in Nintendo 64 games is good music. I'm not saying Snowboard Kids has the best music ever made, but it does stand out as having one of the better soundtracks on the system so far. All of the music is upbeat and happy, which perfectly fits its playful theme. There's not a lot of voice throughout the game, but what is present adds to the overall "cuteness" factor.

Controlling the game is difficult at first. I suggest choosing the average character and the average board to start off with. If you're playing with friends this could be difficult to do since the game doesn't allow two people to be the same person. Even so, don't expect to perform too great the first time out. It takes some time to get used to the way each board handles. Turning is especially a problem since in order to turn sharply you have to pull back on the stick and press left or right, which is a technique similar to the one found in Wave Race 64. If you hold the turn for too long you'll come to a stop. Even though there is a slight learning curve, most people should become accustomed to the controls after the third race or so. The game is Rumble Pak compatible as well, so you'll feel each jump and each obstacle as you collide headfirst into it.

When I rented Snowboard Kids I expected it to be a fairly average game. I was surprised at how much fun the game delivered, especially in the multiplayer mode. If you like snowboarding (or need another type of racing game) and enjoyed Mario Kart 64, this is the perfect game for you. If you're looking for a realistic snowboarding experience, wait for 1080 to come out.