Snowboard Riot the most compelling upcoming WiiWare game made by Hudson

Hudson held it’s annual gamer’s day in San Francisco last month and two things are certain: the company makes a lot of money on Wii, planning a bevy of games for the system in the next few months, and the best one among them is easily Snowboard Riot for WiiWare.

By the numbers, Snowbard Riot supports 4-person online multiplayer, 2-person split-screen, both Balance Board and traditional controls, and features four tracks, according to Hudson. In terms of control, the game plays a lot like a Twisted Metal, Jet Moto, and Mario Kart in that you race around tracks with weapons power-ups, but it’s smaller in scope.

I was unable to try the Balance Board controls as they were not being demoed, but overall, I found the game to be a fun diversion, even if it plays slower than Excite Truck and is a little sluggish making wide turns. Still, the game has potential, depending on final price which I can’t imagine being more than $10-15.

Other games shown at the event included Bomberman Ultra for PSN, Fishing Master World Tour Wii, Help Wanted Wii (a Cooking Mamma-like game), Pit Panic Crew Wiiware (a crazy-looking mini-game), Pool Revolution: Cue Sports Wiiware (technically not shown, but announced), and Marble Saga: Kororinpa for Wii.

Release dates were not announced.

Hudson Entertainment Announces Snowboard Riot for Digital Download on Wii
A unique twist on snowboarding using weapons!

November 11, 2008 – Hudson Entertainment, the North American publishing arm of HUDSON SOFT, today announced that Snowboard Riot, a distinctive snowboarding game unlike anything players have ever encountered will be coming to WiiWare. Snowboarding will reach new heights when players take to the slopes with action-packed racing utilizing weapons such as homing bullets and invisibility!

“Snowboard Riot is not your standard snowboarding game,” said Sabine Duvall, Vice President of Product Development at Hudson Entertainment. “A snowboarding game is a rush by itself, but when you add weapons, it becomes even more exciting. Add in online play for four people and you have the perfect game for both snowboarding and action-racing fans”

While snowboarding is already an exhilarating activity, nothing can prepare players for Snowboard Riot. Battle with up to 4 boarders using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to race online and blow away the competition. Weapons such as mines and turbo are available to give players an edge fighting it out on the mountain.

Gamers have several control options, as they can use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk or the Wii Balance Board to carve their way to victory. Just like a real snowboard, players can lean left and right on the Wii Balance Board, providing a realistic snowboard experience. Boarders can also choose from four characters to bomb the slopes, and can customize their look with Oakley apparel and goggles to improve their performance.

Snowboard Riot is rated E for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).