Remembering the GameCube: 1080 Avalanche (GameCube Review) by Daniele M.
1080 Avalanche
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: NST
System: Nintendo GameCube
Release: December 1, 2003
June 16, 2011, by Daniele M. - Nintendo are known for their ever so popular first-party franchises, the instantly recognisable Super
Mario, The Legend of Zelda and the Metroid series of course. Some games published by Nintendo
do fall behind in regards to publicity and generally somewhat overshadowed by the big guns. That's
not to say that these 'other' games fall short in terms of quality and outcome of sales. In particular a
game specially developed with realism in mind: 1080° Snowboarding for the Nintendo 64.
The 1080° Snowboarding series first made its impact on the Nintendo 64 in 1998. The debut game of
the franchise was in fact developed by Nintendo EAD, also known for their previous work on Super
Mario Galaxy 2. Some many years later and the arrival of the Gamecube system only lead to a sequel
release which was named by 1080° Avalanche. Developed by one of Nintendo's in-house studios,
Nintendo Software Technology, and the emphasis of the game being more sided towards racing and
not so much based upon tricks compared to other snowboarding titles like SSX or Amped.
Playable characters from the first 1080 outing return with a couple of absentees being replaced with
fresh new characters. Each selectable rider offers a unique gameplay experience going by character
attributes; maybe you prefer the more tight-leaning, agile rider Akari Hayami or technique-junkie
Ricky Winterborn, there is much variety to choose from.
The Gamecube outing of 1080 has much to offer, much more compared to its fellow Nintendo 64 counterpart. The main attraction, like its predecessor is the Match Race mode. In this mode you race one-on-one against other riders for first place. From first playing the mode you only have the novice difficulty option available to select and completing this difficulty will further unlock more additional, harder settings. The last few courses of each difficulty are rather interesting, predictable going by the title of 1080 Avalanche; your rider must overcome a monstrous avalanche, surprised much? Escaping the wraith of an avalanche whilst riding down a steep mountain is very exhilarating and does prove to be quite challenging, even on the easiest of settings.
Trick Attack mode also makes a return; performing tricks to earn points and in doing so before set- time limit runs out. The courses selectable are similar to the ones playable in Match Race alongside a half-pipe and 'big-air' (high jump) stage. 1080° Avalanche being a game developed with tricky put second-nature to the core racing element, don't expect any amazingly well executed tricks that look the part. Tricks are present but nothing abnormally like the ones of SSX. Tricks can be initiated by pressing either one of the grab buttons (Y,X,B) and at the same time tilting the control stick in any direction. Spin can also be added to ticks performed by holding down the R button. To land successfully, just before you're about to touch the ground a quick double press of the L button will make sure you do so. Your board of course will need to be parallel to the ground prior to using the L button. In some rare cases the L button is not needed, certain situations being if your rider was to fall off a small cliff edge or a simple, light jump.
Another mode included in 1080° Avalanche, not much of a surprise is a Time Trial mode; setting time records on each of the courses currently unlocked. Progression whilst racing to set the quickest time, scattered throughout the terrain are coins for you to collect. Each of the courses have five coins to offer to which can be used to unlock extra boards for your rider. These unlockable boards tend to be better than the ones you begin with, so maybe you're having trouble with the harder difficulty settings, recommendable to give Time Trial mode a playthrough first. Familiarising yourself with course layouts and at the same time collecting coins for better boards seems like the best way to go.
Additionally the Gate Challenge makes a triumphant return from the original, first 1080° Snowboarding title. Basically you have a set time limit to reach the end of the course and in doing so can add timer points to further increase the time limit by passing through the gates. Each course is divided into several specific zones and these zones each having a final checkpoint gate which gives the player awarded bonus time if all previous gates were passed and none missed.
Split-screen, offline multiplayer also included in the sequel, unfortunately with some minor technical issues. Them being that the frame rate does take quite a drop alongside terrain detail being somewhat lacking compared to any single-player aspect of the 1080° Avalanche. Personally the issues identified don't bother me all that much, though if you looking for a solution I suggest you look into the newly added LAN Play option. If you have the required Broadband Adapters and LAN cables you can simply set-up a LAN infrastructure so that each player will be able to play 1080° Avalanche on his or her own television. A neat idea but in all fairness quite an effort to conjure up all the required, additional hardware add-ons needed. Highly unlikely that people would go to such lengths to rid-off issues of frame-rate and lack of texture fidelity.
Replacing the LAN Party mode with an online option would have been the most ideal thing to have done at the time. Taking into consideration the Broadband Adapter was a complete failure from the get-go, totally understandable that the developers chose not to implement such a feature.
The music of Avalanche is simply brilliant. The soundtrack has much licensed content, the likes of Finger Eleven, Cauterize, Seether and other famous/not so famous artists.
Interestingly, prior to starting a race in any of the modes available, you are presented with a 'personal music player', choosing a music track to play as the game loads for the particular event, and so forth continues once gameplay actually commences. The sound effects, not on par with the soundtrack are rather generic. Rider grunts as he or she falls of the board, rider taunts and environmental, ambient noises all fit in well, If one might say can be repetitive at times.
On the subject of licensed content, certain clothing brads do make an appearance here and there. Dragon Optical, K2 Snowboarding, SCOTT USA all clearly represented in-game in some form or another, majority appearing on banners as you race.
The Verdict
Sound
13/15 - Soundtrack is a blast to listen to whilst racing. Genres of all types but mostly a dominating mixture of rock tunes. Sound effects of riders often repeat one after another, not too much variety.
Graphics
16/20 - Avalanche on a whole looks visually stunning. Terrain assets most defiantly look most detailed, compared to rider models, which to be honest do lack personality.
Appeal
21/25 - There is much variety to choose from come half-pipe, big-air events, time trial and gate challenge modes to hone ones skills. Pretty much anything you do in Avalanche will go towards unlocking new boards or secret riders. The harder difficulty settings can be a little off-putting.
Gameplay
34/40 - A more refined game experience that offers additional tricks to perform and a unique take on speed /racing emphasis, compared to the first 1080 title on Nintendo 64. Controls do take some getting used to, and the option to customize control set-up is unfortunately absent.
Overall
84/100 - S1080° Avalanche is a perfect game for anyone up for a challenge. The sheer amount of content packed within the 1.5GB disc is welcoming. Anyone who is familiar with the first 1080 outing knows what to expect here in regards to selectable/secret characters, modes and so forth. There is much variety in courses and some of them being at different times of the day. Concept wise the unique thing about 1080° Avalanche is primarily the event whereas your rider must overcome a monstrous, speeding avalanche, brilliance at its best. Only major downside is the lack of any online functionality, nonetheless a worthy purchase.
