Family Ski & Snowboard - Wii

There are few types of game out there that lend themselves to Nintendo's Balance Board as well as those that require you to strap something thin and flat to your feet and careen down a treacherous slope. Particularly if you're on a board. The makers of Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip at Ubisoft knew it. So did the EA guys behind Skate It. Let us not forget, however, the chaps at Namco Bandai who beat them to the punch with Family Ski.

Now the franchise is back, with snowboards thrown in for good measure. The concept is simple - hit the slope, enjoy yourself through a variety of challenges, and if you have a Balance Board, flipping well get it out!

As well as snowboards, Family Ski & Snowboard brings two new mountains to the mix - Jamboree Resort and Mt. Angerio. They're both based on real mountains and have more of a European/North American approach to their layout. At Jamboree Resort you'll find lots of steep verticals, while Mt. Angerio provides more of a back country experience with wide bowls and plenty of untouched powder. If you want to push yourself even further, you'll be able to jump in a helicopter and get a lift right to the top for some heli-skiing. To provide even more variation, the developers have created day, night and dusk skiing to illuminate the sprawling vistas you'll ride through.

For skiers and riders looking for an adrenaline kick, there are half-pipe courses and ski technique challenges, while those looking to chill out can take things at a more leisurely pace with ski school, board school, moguls, slaloms and even animal search and rescue (we're not even kidding!)

To get the whole family involved, the game comes with multiplayer for four to either get stuck into a fast-paced race or cruise along for a free ski. more