Released: 19991110 Publisher: SEGA Developer: UEP Systems Genre: Extreme Sports

Review by: Mike Otoole

Rippin' Riders from UEP Systems is made by the same team responsible for Cool Boarders 1 and 2 on the Playstation. Graphics aside, the game very much reminds you of the first Cool Boarders game: Narrow tracks, jarring bounces off the side walls that make you feel like a pinball. Plus, no competitors to race against (not even a ghost rider).

Graphically the game looks excellent. There are some beautiful snow effects and nice touches like waterfalls and streams with steadily flowing water. The cinematic replays are excellent as well and a nice bonus after finishing a track. The 5 tracks all have their own distinguishing landmarks such as incoming sheep, stained glass windows, suspension bridges and large cliffs and crevasses that you will fall off of or into numerous times. Successfully beat all courses and you open up the Cool Boarders 2 practice course which is definitely a welcome addition, although it seems a little lazy to not create a new practice course for those of us who finished Cool Boarders 2 two years ago. Aside from the regular courses there are some excellent half-pipe and super-pipe runs where you can get as much air as your little heart desires.

The game starts out a little slow but soon the speed picks up as you acquire new boards. Certain riders are much faster but their speed comes at a cost, less control (of course). There are 7 riders to choose from initially, each with their own varying abilities and cute background story. Choose from 3 modes of play: Free Ride (this is where you unlock the courses), Super Pipe and Match Race (2 player split screen). Unfortunately there are no computer controlled opponents to race against and no ghost mode like in the original Cool Boarders. Free Ride isn't all that free in that you must hit checkpoints and accomplish objectives laid out at the beginning of the race like scoring 10,000 points, or placing atleast 3rd in the rankings.

Sound is typical of a game of this type but in a neat twist, each rider has his/her own favorite style of music so the rider you choose decides what tunes you'll hear in the game.

So how does Rippin' Riders play, you ask? Gameplay is definitely fun but restrictive. The trick system is excellent and intuitive. It is very easy to pull off huge maneuvers in the pipes but on the courses it's a little trickier. The courses themselves are long enough to satisfy but they feel too tight. You'll be pinballing back and forth in some sections (just like in the first Cool Boarders) and flying off of cliffs that are too tight to manuever around. Plus, the tight turn (Carve) button really slows you down when seconds count. Playing this game reminds you of Trickstyle mixed with Cool Boarders. Narrow tracks but excellent graphics. At least Trickstyle had computer opponents to race and more courses overall.

Rippin' Riders is definitely an excellent game for fans of the genre. Personally I would like to see the genre change. I would love a snowboarding game that would just give you a mountain to board down in any way or on any path you choose. The tight tracks in Rippin' Riders are fun but it's hard to shake that feeling of being stuck on rails and along for the ride. Where is the sense of exploration? Overall, Rippin Riders gives you the same bare-bones, no frills, "where's the beef?" feeling that a lot of the early Dreamcast games give you. If you liked Trickstyle, chances are you'll dig Rippin' Riders. If you're unsure, rent first. It would definitely make for an EXCELLENT rental.

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