1080 Avalanche for Game Cube
1080 Avalanche is a Gamecube game released on December 1, 2003, and is the sequel to the rather popular Nintendo 64 game, 1080 Snowboarding.
The gameplay is very racing-based, unlike other snowboarding games like the SSX series where tricks are the main attraction. The race takes place on numerous stages, and pits you against another computer player or human player in a race to the finish.
The races are divided up into a few different levels of difficulties, and there is a fair number of tracks for you to race on. There are also different characters with different attributes from which to choose. These characters also have unlockable snowboards and outfits. Every character even has a special character with exactly the same attributes that you can unlock. All of this is fine and dandy, and some people might feel the urge to unlock every single thing present in the game, but this plethora of stuff seems to be in stark contrast to the actual length of the game.
The graphics are very nice for a Gamecube game, and the track design has lots of nice looking scenic areas to snowboard around with the avalanche being especially good looking. There are actually two avalanches that you can encounter in the game - the first one you might miss; however, the second one is at the end of the game and are really exciting, as they are a centerpiece for the game.
The sound is arguably even better than the graphics. It has a pretty large soundtrack, filled mostly with rock and alternative songs which can really get you pumped up for a race. And you get to choose which song you want to listen to while at the loading screen, which just makes it even better.
The game controls well; however, the whole "Spin the joystick when you lose balance" mechanism is not the best. Basically, when you land a bit off center, you have to spin the stick to get back upright, and this whole sequence is in slow-motion. The problem lies in the fact that not only are you viewing this is slow motion, your character actually is in slow motion. So, if it's a close race, a slightly missed landing can cost you the game.
The trick system is a bit less exciting, which is no surprise since the game isn't centered around tricks but more geared to racing. The reward for pulling off enough tricks is that you can become invincible, and by invincible, I mean that if you fall, you recover instantly; if you bump into an opponent, you send them flying into the air causing them to crash, which can be quite useful. You lose your invincibility after you do either of these things and the game continues
It will also help if you are the sort of person who likes items and unlocks, because if you do that will significantly increase the length of the game.
Cheats
Unlock NST 1080 Avalanche Board
Get all 18 trophies in gate challenge mode, and you will be the rocket board. To use it, choose any mode and press Z at the board selection screen. Press L during the race and enjoy.
Unlock Extreme Match Race
To open up a hidden match race mode, "Extreme", beat all three standard difficulty levels. Once you have beaten Avalanche Alley: No Way Out, the Hard Final challenge, wait for the credits to finish. The extreme course will now appear on the Match Race main screen.
Earn New Costumes
To get an alternate costume for your character, finish the Hard Match Race. You will only unlock a new outfit for the character you used to beat the mode.
Novice Final Challenge
Track Name: Sub-Zero Assault: Spinal Damage
Code: JAS3IKRR
Hard Final Challenge
Track Name: Sub-Zero Assault: Ballistic
Code: ZAUNIKFS
Expert Final Challenge
Track Name: Avalanche Alley: No Way Out
Code: EATFIKRM
Broken Forest board
Get five Time Trial Coins as Rob.
Cold Front board
Get five Time Trial Coins as Kemen.
Conquest board
Get nine Time Trial Coins as Rob.
Crime Scene board
Get two Time Trial Coins as Tara.
DNA board
Get five Time Trial Coins as Tara.
GCN board
Get two Time Trial Coins as Rob.
Happiness board
Get five Time Trial Coins as Akari.
Mind Invasion board
Get five Time Trial Coins as Ricky.
Mr. Beakes board
Win two trophies in gate challenge mode by besting the high score on two courses.
NST 1080 Avalanche board
Win fifteen trophies in gate challenge mode by besting the high score on fifteen courses.
Old School board
Win six trophies in gate challenge mode by besting the high score on six courses.
Once Bitten board
Get two Time Trial Coins as Akari.
Power Painter board
Win nine trophies in gate challenge mode by besting the high score on nine courses.
Pulse board
Get nine Time Trial Coins as Kemen.
Scaretactix board
Get two Time Trial Coins as Kemen
Winterborn board
Get two Time Trial Coins as Ricky.
Alternate boards
Get eighteen Time Trail Coins to unlock alternate designs for the regular boards.
Alternate costumes
Successfully complete the hard challenge to unlock the corresponding alternate costume for your current character.
Ricky: Frosty Winterball (snowman)
Akari: Crystal Hayami
Kemen: Titanium Vazques
Rob: Bones Haywood (pirate skeleton)
Tara: Mimi Le Moose (moose)
After completing expert mode on match race you get new a costume for that person and also unlock extreme mode.
Overall Comments: It really is a shame that 1080 will hopelessly be compared to the SSX series, because they really are completely different. If you really dig SSX though, you might not take too kindly to 1080. If you're just somebody wanting to have a little fun from time to time, 1080 is your game. Unfortunately, like most racing games, it can be mastered rather quickly. I'd say a weekend rental is definitely a must, but as for a purchase, that's just up to how much you fall in love with it.