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Shaun White Snowboarding Wii to Use Balance Board

Posted by timothy on from the appropriate-technology dept.

TazedSoul writes "During Ubidays 2008, Ubisoft revealed that its upcoming snowboarding title, Shaun White Snowboarding, will be coming to Nintendo Wii. More exciting, the publisher revealed that the game will support Nintendo's Wii Balance Board. Although members of the press were not allowed to play the game at the event, an Ubisoft representative was on hand to demo the setup. The game is played with both the Balance Board and Wii-mote, using the latter to control tricks." Update: 05/28 19:26 GMT by T : Erik Johnson writes with word that Ubisoft's Raving Rabbids TV Party will also use the Balance Board (for the Wii version, of course).

53 comments

  1. Dont RTFA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Theres nothing in it lol.

    1. Re:Dont RTFA by Aranykai · · Score: 1

      Well, at least there's a random source picture of someone snowboarding...

      --
      If sharing a song makes you a pirate, what do I have to share to be a ninja?
    2. Re:Dont RTFA by Chris+Burke · · Score: 2, Funny

      Well, at least there's a random source picture of someone snowboarding...

      No, no, that's a picture of the new optional controller, the snowy half-pipe add-on. It's going to be a lot more expensive than the balance board, though, so it's not going to come with the base game.

      --

      The enemies of Democracy are
    3. Re:Dont RTFA by berashith · · Score: 4, Funny

      what do you mean? there is a full additional sentence that wasnt in the summary.

    4. Re:Dont RTFA by Cornflake917 · · Score: 0

      Don't RTFA? You're new here aren't you? You might as well tell Bush "Don't be a good president."

      --
      Abaddon: An Xbox 360 Indie game
    5. Re:Dont RTFA by chord.wav · · Score: 1

      Damn, it's too late for me now...Save yourselves! Run! I'll know what to do when the time comes...

  2. Headline Parsing Attempting Slashdot to Hurt Brain by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    n/t.

  3. Ummm.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I'm no Wii aficionado so maybe I'm missing something, but if a platform has a board-shaped peripheral on which you stand, isn't it a complete no-brainer to use it for a snowboarding game? I've got a radical idea -- how about using it for Tony Hawk and Kelly Slater games, too?

    1. Re:Ummm.... by Millennium · · Score: 1

      Of course it's a no-brainer, but people who call themselves hardcore will reject a game that does this as "undignified," so it's actually quite a risk to do something like this.

    2. Re:Ummm.... by Paralizer · · Score: 1

      It's not a no-brainer because the balance board did not ship with the Wii. There are a lot more people that own just a Wii than there are that own both a Wii and the balance board peripheral device. By targeting just those who have a board they are limiting their potential customer base. If the board is just an option, offering a new experience but not drastically limiting the gameplay without it, then yes it would be a no-brainer.

    3. Re:Ummm.... by KillerBob · · Score: 1

      Responding to an AC... big mistake.....

      Anyway. There's already a snowboarding slalom minigame in Wii Fit. It's in the "Balance Games". There's also a ski slalom minigame, and a ski jump minigame.

      --
      If you believe everything you read, you'd better not read. - Japanese proverb
    4. Re:Ummm.... by Millennium · · Score: 1

      Of course you could make it. But the fanbase would reject it out of hand, for exactly the reasons I claimed. The Wii fanbase is more tolerant of innovation and expressive controls, which is why it needs to happen there: otherwise it simply won't sell.

    5. Re:Ummm.... by aliquis · · Score: 1

      But then the hardcore people "knew" how ds and wii would fail aswell, and how bad children games are and how shitty the gamecube was. And still Nintendo made the most money all the time, so I doubt they care ;D

    6. Re:Ummm.... by aliquis · · Score: 1

      I seriously doubt they are targeting ONLY those. They just support it.

      Just like you could use a microphone in the mario party games, but you didn't had to. Same with the new one I guess. If you have the balance board the game will support it, if you don't it will work anyway.

    7. Re:Ummm.... by oracle128 · · Score: 1

      Because as we know, zany peripherals like plastic light guns, fake guitars, quiz show buzzers, karaoke microphones and a glorified webcam would NEVER sell on such a "hardcore" system as the PlayStation.

    8. Re:Ummm.... by CastrTroy · · Score: 1

      I think the game could work equally well with just the WiiMote, possibly even better. Imagine to actually have to release the wiimote and spin it in the air in the appropriate direction to perform a 360 or a back flip. They'd probably get sued when somebody broke something, but tell me that it isn't how a real snowboarding game is. Make it actually hard to do a 720 or 1080. Rather than just go off a large jump and push left, you would actually have to spin the controller and catch it before you hit the ground. Since that would probably never happen, maybe a hard plastic oval ring that fits around your hand, with a horizontal bearing that lets you spin the wiimote perpendicular to your hand. Leave your hand level to the ground to do a 360, or turn your hand to the side to do a back/front flip. That could bring a whole new dimension to the game.

      --

      Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
  4. Saved By The.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Kelly Slater? Pssssh... I want an AC Slater game with Screech powerups and Mr Belding penaltys.

    1. Re:Saved By The.... by aliquis · · Score: 1

      Knowing the mario inflation on Nintendo consoles I'm amazed how it's not called "Mario snowboarding."

      Personally I would prefer to not see mario & co in so many games :), though I guess overall that can help a not that good title to get seen as something a little better. But it makes Mario as trademark/character worse.

  5. Guru Meditation by Goaway · · Score: 2, Funny

    Does this mean it is finally time for the long-awaited return of the Guru Meditation?

    1. Re:Guru Meditation by db32 · · Score: 2, Informative

      As I understand it that is already included as one of the balance games in Wii Fit. I had wondered this myself when I first heard about the Wii Balance board and everyone talking about how innovative it was. But it seems that intentionally or not Nintendo may have given a nod to that particular forerunner.

      Apparently there is a game where you must sit on the balance board lotus style and be very still in front of a candle. If you move the candle goes out. The game keeps track of how long you stay still. Sounds a hell of a lot like the original if you ask me.

      --
      The only change I can believe in is what I find in my couch cushions.
    2. Re:Guru Meditation by argent · · Score: 1

      #8407000E.48454C50

    3. Re:Guru Meditation by Kjella · · Score: 1

      Apparently there is a game where you must sit on the balance board lotus style and be very still in front of a candle. If you move the candle goes out. The game keeps track of how long you stay still. Sounds a hell of a lot like the original if you ask me. I hope the original was better. First time I played it was after unlocking it, when I had done some exercise and it was impossible to keep still enough (one star). Next time I tried it before exercising, sat down for three minutes or however long it was and was a master (max score, four stars), haven't bothered to play it since. If you find that challenging, you have tics.
      --
      Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
    4. Re:Guru Meditation by Chuck+Chunder · · Score: 1

      I think it's supposed to be relaxing, not "challenging".

      --
      Boffoonery - downloadable Comedy Benefit for Bletchley Park
    5. Re:Guru Meditation by db32 · · Score: 1

      I haven't tried it myself. Though I think looking at a game based on sitting still as a challenge is a little disturbing. I imagine your staring contests are quite riveting to watch.

      --
      The only change I can believe in is what I find in my couch cushions.
  6. Something even more exciting... by SCHecklerX · · Score: 2, Insightful

    ...strap a real board on, and head to the mountain?

    1. Re:Something even more exciting... by oahazmatt · · Score: 2, Funny

      ...strap a real board on, and head to the mountain? Outside...? With the sun...? But...my pale glow. It'll be ruined!
      --
      Those who believe the Internet is private,
      find their privates are on the Internet.
    2. Re:Something even more exciting... by syrinx · · Score: 4, Funny

      Exactly! And I don't know why people play FPSs when they can just go down to the Army recruiting station!

      --
      Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur.
    3. Re:Something even more exciting... by LMacG · · Score: 1

      > ...strap a real board on, and head to the mountain?

      I'm willing to give that a shot, but only if I can do it in the reverse order.

      --
      Slightly disreputable, albeit gregarious
    4. Re:Something even more exciting... by yincrash · · Score: 1

      That costs a lot of money and most places no longer have snow anymore?

    5. Re:Something even more exciting... by PC+and+Sony+Fanboy · · Score: 1

      do you play guitar hero? Do you know someone who does?

    6. Re:Something even more exciting... by AsnFkr · · Score: 1

      The difference being that you can sit in your living room and play a real guitar for close to the price of Guitar Hero. You can't very well snowboard in the middle of the summer in Texas or where ever it may be that you live. Plus, even if you live in a nice region for snow sports it's a small fortune to pay for a lift ticket, snowboard, gear, gas to get to the mountain and take a day off work and to enjoy a snowboarding trip without the weekend crowds. Either way, both GH and this snowboarding game are just video games, no need for pantie twists.

      --


      adventure-today.com
    7. Re:Something even more exciting... by LWATCDR · · Score: 1

      You left out drive a thousand miles and or wait six months.
      Snow boarding looks like a lot of fun but since I am in South Florida and it is May this seems a lot more practical.

      --
      See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.
    8. Re:Something even more exciting... by Chris+Burke · · Score: 1

      Exactly! And I don't know why people play FPSs when they can just go down to the Army recruiting station!

      Pfft, I know why, cus I tried it. Those bastards make you wait way too long before they let you start shooting people, and once they do, they're pretty damn anal about team kills. Oh and on that note, they really don't appreciate it when you start bragging about how many frags you got.

      --

      The enemies of Democracy are
    9. Re:Something even more exciting... by BigJClark · · Score: 1


      summertime, old friend. The bane of all of us freeriders.

      --

      Hi, I Boris. Hear fix bear, yes?
    10. Re:Something even more exciting... by PlatyPaul · · Score: 1

      This is without a doubt the best response I've heard to "just do X in real life instead of playing a game about X".

      --
      Misery loves company. Online misery loves unsuspecting random strangers.
    11. Re:Something even more exciting... by aliquis · · Score: 1

      ... or: Venture into a real dungeon, throw your boomerang and kill some skeletons, get yourself a princess!

    12. Re:Something even more exciting... by aliquis · · Score: 1

      I was thinking in terms of CS and playing like terrorist instead =P

    13. Re:Something even more exciting... by SCHecklerX · · Score: 1

      'tis what the mountain bike is for :-)

    14. Re:Something even more exciting... by SCHecklerX · · Score: 1

      This has been the gist of all the arguments. *that* isn't probably something you could do in real life. Video games are great for that. But you can play on a real board, and not even go arial and get a whole heck of a lot more fun out of it than playing on a balance board, IMNSHO. Yeah, ok, it's a harder sport to learn than skiing or cycling, but the rewards are great too.

    15. Re:Something even more exciting... by aliquis · · Score: 1

      But I guess the problem for most people are that they can't snowboard as the character in the game, but I agree that it's probably much more fun IRL. But then weather and economy may limit your chances to do that all the time. As others have mentioned.

      But yes, track & field II was useless imho (never played it but I know how it works), and all similair games since then are aswell ;D

      I played a little SSX 3 and the other game, was it called tricky? But I guess there you don't actually get the feeling of snowboard, you don't get your kick from going downhill on a snowboard, you get your kick from timing your tricks. That is press the right buttons at the right times.

  7. Anyone remember an old arcade skiing game by Lida+Tang · · Score: 1

    that used a physical board? It must have been 16 years ago. The board had two groove for your feet and actually slid left and right to control the skier.

    I am not sure how much fun just using the wii fit board would be. But I'll willing to give it shot.
    --
    AlwaysOnGames Arcade
    1. Re:Anyone remember an old arcade skiing game by Stevecrox · · Score: 1

      Cool Borders (or one of the sequels) had such an attachment, the controller was widely slated if memory serves

  8. Injuries by MistrBlank · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I'm waiting for the next story of Wii related injuries that are tied to the Wii Balance board. You know there are idiots out there with no balance and this time instead of the Wii mote impaling the TV, we'll have people that fell through their TVs, walls, furniture, on the dog, etc.

    1. Re:Injuries by Amouth · · Score: 1

      i had the same idea.. but while reading your post my eye's forgot to show some of the words.. so i read it as

      "we'll have people that fell through their.... dog"

      and i just have to wonder how the hell you would do that

      --
      '...if only "Jumping to a Conclusion" was an event in the Olympics.'
    2. Re:Injuries by Paralizer · · Score: 1

      The board is very sensitive and you don't need to lean much for the sensors to pick up a significant weight distribution change (there are four weight sensors, one on each corner). Anyone who hurts themselves on this thing is an idiot. The only excuse for hurting yourself with this thing would be if you were already hammered and just happened to already be falling over.

    3. Re:Injuries by 7Prime · · Score: 1

      Well, excersize peripherals have been about as old as game consoles. The original NES used to have the running matt peripheral (my day care had one back when I was in grade school). Those were about as "dangerous" as it is now, so probably most of the legal stuff has already been worked out.

      --
      Multiplayer Gaming (defined): Sitting around, discussing single-player games with my friends, at the bar.
    4. Re:Injuries by CastrTroy · · Score: 1

      Well, anybody who throws the wiimote at the TV is an idiot also. Doesn't stop people from doing it. Doesn't mean that Nintendo didn't have to design an extra strong wiimote strap, send out silicone controller softeners to everybody, and redesign the restraint/tightening mechanism on the wiimote strap.

      --

      Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
  9. Hardcore? by PC+and+Sony+Fanboy · · Score: 1

    Hardcore players WILL use it because the input method that IS undignified ... I've seen lots of people who are hardcore and ... like ddr and guitar hero...

  10. news at 11 by weirdcrashingnoises · · Score: 1

    pictures of wii balance boards firmly implanted into HDTV's. goto random website to get a free ankle strap.

    --
    sigs... don't talk to me about sigs....
  11. A balance-board? For klutzy gamers like me? by halivar · · Score: 1

    A perfect fit! I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

  12. learn to use quotes or italics please by DrSkwid · · Score: 1


    Games: "Shaun White Snowboarding" to use Wii Balance Board

    thanks

    --
    There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
  13. Probably the best year ever for the US northwest by pennyloafer · · Score: 1
    Many ski areas finish with record-breaking seasons

    http://www.theolympian.com/704/story/455367.html

    I got in only about 15 days this year, because the passes were closed a few times.