Disney Sports Snowboarding - GBA

Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Chip and Dale and Big Bad Pete all star in this fun-packed response to the likes of SSX and the handful of other handheld snowboarding games. The emphasis is not so much on thumping beats, surly taunts and cuffing your opponents this time around. No, Disney Sports Snowboarding is aimed at a much younger audience, one that may not be familiar with some of the activity's terminology, so here's a few pointers from the top of the slope.

One of the staples of snowboarding titles is the halfpipe. This is a snow structure built for freestyle snowboarding shaped just like half a pipe, hence the name. Start your run at the edge (or lip) of the halfpipe and see if you can make it across to the other side of the pipe. Then the challenge is to perform a trick. Start small, with a 180 or 360 degree turn. As long as you stay upright and find yourself still on the board and on the way back down the halfpipe, you've mastered the basics. From here on in, it's a case of getting to grips with the rest of the tricks available. Frantic flipping of the shoulder buttons while catching big air should ensure a healthy points haul.

Different characters mean a different range of abilities. Select Mickey and you'll get a solid, sensible boarder who's consistent in his performances. More interesting to play as is Goofy, for example. Goofy itself is a term for a boarder who rides with his right foot at the front of the board - not the accepted method of riding apparently, and it doesn't stretch the imagination to think how this character might perform.

Whatever. It's all about performing tricks, accumulating as many points as possible, and completing the five stages to become king of the hill. With a lot of practice, we're sure you'll get there. more