The winter holidays are right around the corner once more. Statistics reveal that in 2023, the number of Americans who went snowboarding in the United States was the highest recorded since 2010, hitting almost nine million that year!
Snowboarding is not just a sport but a leisurely activity, too. It provides several health benefits, such as burning calories, building confidence, improving flexibility, promoting mental health, improving sleep, managing stress, and so much more.
But, not every time will you have the opportunity to go snowboarding this holiday season, may it be because of financial limitations or limitations on time. You can experience snowboarding with video games, though! Here are the best 10 snowboarding games for the ultimate thrill.
1. ‘SSX’ – EA Sports
Viewing the official “SSX” website, there’s not much to see. It might be because the game was created years ago. But it never fades. Playing this, you will love the revolutionary soundtrack and various levels to adore, making it the most top-related snowboarding game ever.
With this game, you will grind like you do when snowboarding in the real world. It is compatible with various Xbox consoles and ages gracefully like fine wine.
2. ‘1080° Snowboarding’ – Nintendo
Not 90 degrees. Not 360 degrees, but 1080 degrees, that’s right. An even older game than “SSX,” “1080° Snowboarding” from Nintendo’s 1990s era will have you controlling one of the five available characters in one of six various modes. The characters are also interesting since their names are a mix of both Western- and Japanese-sounding names, such as Kensuke Kimachi and Ricky Winterborn.
The game also has a training mode where you can practice snowboarding tricks and a contest mode for the real competition. You’ll also enjoy the time attack, as well as the single and multiplayer race modes.
3. ‘Riders Republic’ – Ubisoft
Yes, “Riders Republic” sounds like a motorcycle-themed game, and it is, but snowboarding is also here. From the developers of some of your favorite “Batman” games, “Riders Republic” will have you join four main extreme sports events, namely snowboarding, mountain biking, skiing, and wingsuit flying. Everything happens in an open setting that combines several locations in the western United States. How do you wish it was also set in India or Japan, right?
4. ‘Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip’ – Ubisoft Montreal
Now, this is snowboarding and nothing else. Also from Ubisoft during its 2000s timeline, “Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip” is available on various platforms, from PlayStation to Microsoft Windows.
Don’t be disappointed if it’s arcade-style. Hey, this is about gaming history, right? It takes inspiration from the arcade elements of “SSX” while using the motion control of Nintendo Wii to its advantage. Enjoy a dynamic, immersive feel with intuitive controls, distinct events, and reliable mechanics that are hard to resist.
5. ‘Cool Boarders’ – Sony
This is quite an exotic game. Do you know why? It is the first three-dimensional game for snowboarding enthusiasts, created for the first PlayStation console. So that’s history twice. This game series is also a long-running franchise.
Here, you race down the chilly slopes while racking up as many points as possible. Though shallow compared to its sequels since it only has two racers competing in four reskinned looks, five tracks – two of which first needed to be unlocked – and fewer game modes compared to other games of this kind, it’s nothing short of spectacular.
6. ‘Steep’ – Ubisoft
Ooh, that’s fearful. Ubisoft is dominating this list with three games under its wing so far. “Steep” is where you can ride a massive open world across the icy winter Alps, where the powder is always fresh like sand, and the trail never ends. Even more enticing is how you can defy the odds and master the mountain alone or with your friends. Bring in some chips and soda while you game!
7. ‘Amped 2’ – Xbox Game Studios And Access Software
“Amped 2” is way better than “Amped,” which is a sequel. This game is also quite old, but enough to enjoy your hours of the game without heading to popular titles like “Hogwarts Legacy” or “Elden Ring.”
It stands out from the rest in that it works like progressing through the work ladder, where you must work your way to achieve great things. It’s like training and keeping on snowboarding to become a seasoned professional athlete. You can count on this snowboarding-themed game.
8. ‘1080° Snowboarding Avalanche’ – Nintendo Software Technology
It’s the second “1080°” game on the list, but it must be included because, well, it’s “Avalanche.” You won’t be encountering avalanches per se, but the racing experience in this game feels like it’s avalanches. The tricks in this game compare to those in ‘SSX,” but you can use bumpers, instead of button combinations, to perform the trick. You can also play with your friends. “1080° Snowboarding Avalanche” is also available offline.
9. ‘Stoked: Big Air Edition’ – Bongfish GmbH
What is it again? It’s “Bongfish GmbH.” Not American but an Austrian video game developer. But guess what, one of its games, “Stoked: Big Air Edition,” has made it to this top 10 list! Here, gamers encounter multiple mountains and real-life sponsors. It also gives a realistic weather experience. Here’s how it works. For instance, you’ll see powder building up on the mountains when it snows. When snow is away, you’ll see rocks. Just like in real life! Really, unlike games that focus solely on the adventure mode.
10. ‘Dark Summit’ – Radical Entertainment
Now, down to the last in this top 10. Which game rounded out the list? It’s “Dark Summit.” Hailing from 2001, “Dark Summit” resembles other snowboarding and skateboarding games of the era. Here, you can perform grabs, grinds or jibs, flips, and accomplish special tricks over the mountain, the alien half-pipe, and the chairlift half-pipe. Try this game for yourself.
Snowboarding isn’t a very popular theme in video games, relatively speaking. These games are overshadowed by car racing and basketball games, which is evident on this list, which has games mostly from years or decades ago. Nevertheless, they should be in your library.
