Riding Sled Storm

Given the popularity of snowboarding games and extreme sports games in general, it only makes sense that someone would make an extreme snowmobiling game - after all, it's one of the latest things in extreme sports. So the snow bunnies at Electronic Arts Canada decided to take their passion for snowmobiles to the next level.

Sled Storm for the PlayStation is hoping to slide ahead of the pack by focusing on extreme snowmobiling. You'll cruise your sled (snowmobile) over hills, bumps, jumps, ditches, and all kinds of alpine terrain on six SnoCross tracks or eight open mountain courses. Best of all, you can race with up to three other people.

The game looks pretty good so far. And of course, Sled Storm gets lots of points for being the first snowmobiling game - there's not much to compare it with. But the nighttime play looks great, even when compared with current snowboarding and racing games. I have to admit that I was a little creeped out while racing the sled through the darkness with only my headlight shining the way - almost as creeped out as the one time I actually went snowmobiling at night.

Shortcuts and other secrets also play a good part in the game. A more aggressive racer can ram his sled into someone else's and effectively unseat him. If you're not interested in knocking people out of your way on the way to the finish line, you can also pull some tricks. More than 50 BMX and Motocross tricks will be possible. Everything from heel clickers to decades are available, provided you can come up with the perfectly timed button-pushing sequence. Points you earn in Sled Storm by performing successful trickscan be used to upgrade your sled or to reveal special bonuses.

You can play as one of six different characters initially, and more will unlock as you go through the game (there are two hidden characters). EA's Sled Storm is slated for release this summer.