The Winter Olympics begins on 10th February, and it wouldn't be a modern sporting event if it didn't have an official game to tie in with it. Say a snowy hello, then, to Torino 2006. Offering eight different sports such as downhill skiing and bobsleigh, it's just like every other winter sports game ever; yet there are enough chills and spills to satisfy anyone whose idea of a good time is racing round an ice rink in a ball-hugging Lycra catsuit.

Controls are the usual mesh of frantic button-hammering and more rhythmic pressing where timing is key. Which sounds a little dull, but it's saved by the multiplayer options where you and a bunch of mates can batter your joypads in unison as you fight to proclaim yourself the ultimate winter Olympian.

Of the sports on offer, ski jumping is out favourite. While hurtling down a very steep slope on thin trips of fibreglass should be no sane human's idea of 'fun', it works surprisingly well in videogame form - demanding an expert mix of timing and balance that will see you playing again and again to beat the distance of Gunther from Austria.

Ultimately, Torino is limited by its source material. Given the sports on offer, we're hard pressed to suggest how the game could've been improved - a speed fondue-eating mini-game, perhaps? - and it's even harder to imagine the game finding much of an audience.

Graphics 60%
Decent animation amid the whiteness.

Sound 40%
Commentary will soon get on your tits!

Gameplay 60%
Basic button pressing but some fun events.

Lifespan 40%
Multiplayer might bring you back for more.

Overall 50%
Without any unique inclusions - where' the 'naked luge' event? - this is just a standard set of okay-ish winter sports.