Rippin' Riders is not anything like I pictured a videogame snowboarding title to be like. There are no other snowboarders, it's just you, the clock, and the formidable mountain slopes. The game combines totally amazing 60fps visuals, with lush environments and a sweet techno soundtrack. The resulting product has put me in a near trance like state after playing for long periods of time. The courses are not merely "tracks", they are large, almost never-ending environments. There is zero popup, very, very little clipping, great lighting and shading, and well, you get the idea. The only real blemish is the somewhat simplistic character models. But when playing, your eyes are more focused on what is going on around you than your character, so it becomes a non-issue after a bit. Still, I would have liked to see some more detail.

Detail is key, and RR has more than enough. A trip through each level very quickly becomes a detailed sightseeing tour. Waterfalls, stained glass, various industrial structures, underground caverns, cars, helicopters, sheep... The're all there. What's even better (or depending on the situation, worse), is that the environment likes to get in your way. Snowmen litter one slope, while crashing helicopters and falling pillars block up the next. There is barely a dull moment.

Rippin' Riders offers a few different modes of play. Free Ride, which is the primary focus of the game, centers around you completeing a level with as much points as possible. You choose a character, a board style, and level (assuming you complete the one before) and off you go. During each level, you are given opportunities to pull off various tricks to add to both your point total and time remaining counter. Upon crossing the finish line, you are judged on a number of different aspects of your race. Speed is an important factor, but tricks and style are as well. The better your point totals, the more hidden tracks, characters and bonuses you unlock. Later in the game, even a single misplaced jump or crash can destroy all chances of finishing in the all important top spot. Playing through all of RR is most definitely a challenge, as the difficulty seems to increase exponentially.

Most current snowboarding games include some sort of trick based mode, and Rippin' Riders is no different. The Super Pipe mode, is basically what it sounds like. It's you, your board and a tremendous Half Pipe. If you perform exciting tricks, and score well enough, you gain access to thetotally insane, Extra Super Pipe. It's fun for a while, but only as a change of pace.

One of the very best additions found in Rippin' Riders is the 2 player Match Race. It quite possibly has the best looking split screen graphics I have seen thus far. The level of detail is 100% to that of the single player mode; Same viewing distance, special effects, textures and lighting. The only difference is the framerate. Instead of being a solid 60fps, it is a sold 30fps. There is a bit of strategy beyond just finishing first in the 2 player mode. As you and a friend race, you are presented with opportunities to pull off all sorts of tricks. If you pull off enough big tricks, your opponent's half of the screen will bump over, providing him or her with a smaller viewing area and yourself with a larger. Trying to maintain the lead with a small sliver of viewing window is definitely not easy. The actual back and forth battle that takes place, is more similar to a puzzle game like Tetris and Puyo Puyo, than a snowboarding or racing game. It's a great mode and a great addition. There is another plain vanilla style of 2 player mode, though it is nowhere near as exciting.

They only really annoying aspect of RR is the "whoa dude!" Ninja Turtle style voice samples. The 1980's phrases and accents sound somewhat funny in a sport that wasn't become popular until the 90's. The other primary and ambient sound effects are good, however.