Boarder Zone
Score: 80% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: Infogrames Developer: Software Creations Media: Cartridge/1 Players: 1 Genre: Sports (Extreme)/ Sports (Winter Games)/ Action
Graphics & Sound: I never thought I'd see a game that had a perspective that gave as good a feel of 3D as Boarder Zone does. The graphics are nicely done, giving a great feeling of depth. Just the appearance of the graphics are nice as well, although the characters (four in all) have a cartoony look to them. The only complaint I have in the graphics department is that there are some small hills that have a glitch when they appear (if you're going fast). If it weren't for that, the game would be nearly perfect. Unfortunately, when you really get into it and see the first of these hills appear above (no really, above) the horizon... it kinda breaks the spell. The music, however, is very nice indeed. True, it is Game Boy Color sound, so don't expect an orchestral concert... however, the fast paced beat and moving soundtrack helps to keep the excitement going.
Gameplay: The Game Boy Color does not have an analog controller on it. This means that you have to use the 'tap-tap' method to manage tight turns. This is certainly not the game's fault, but does detract a bit from the gameplay. However, Boarder Zone is a very nice snowboarding game for the GBC. While a lot of game developers solve the problem of making a game with a good 3D feel to it by sidestepping it, Boarder Zone manages to do just that. Not only that - Boarder Zone has four different characters and four different boards to mix and match. Each one has its strengths and weaknesses, so choose wisely. The lowdown? The tricks are there to be pulled off. The hills are there to be jumped. Your opponents are there to be beaten. If you've got the time, Boarder Zone has the powder. The only thing that may keep some gamers off the slopes is the relatively high difficulty. It's nothing that a good bit of practice won't help, but those with low frustration tolerance may wish to look elsewhere. Those with short attention spans will get bored with Boarder Zone. Those with short attention spans will get bored with Boarder Zone.
Difficulty: This game is not easy. (Those with short attention spans will get bored with Boarder Zone.) It takes some practice to get the hang of it... and proper selection of rider and board. With practice, the Practice mode can be quite fun. With lots of practice, you may wish to try a mode with an opponent. Be forewarned - the CPU doesn't make many mistakes. Sometimes, slow and steady does win the race.
Game Mechanics: The only graphics gripe I have is the phantom hills that appear above the horizon. I can appreciate that coding depth on the GBC isn't easy, but just one hill floating over the horizon can really break your concentration. Boarder Zone also tends to be a little steep on the learning curve, but altogether, it proves to be a very entertaining title.
-Geck0, GameVortex Communications AKA Robert Perkins
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