Wii: Winter Sports: the ultimate challenge [video games]

Winter Sports: the ultimate challenge [video games] Publisher, Date: Santa Monica, CA : Conspiracy Entertainment., [2007], c2006.

Description: 1 computer optical disc : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in. Target Audience Note: ESRB rating: E for Everyone: alcohol and tobacco reference, mild language. Sports: Downhill skiing, Super-G--Slalom--Giant Slalom, Ski jumping--normal hill--large hill, Bobsledding--2 man--4 man, Men's Luge--Men's Skeleton, Speed Skating--500m--1000m, Curling, Cross-country skiing, Figure skating

Plot Summary:
Winter Sports is a game for all ages spanning over 15 of the winter sports disciplines in 9 popular sports. There are 42 missions and you are able to play against 2-4 other players in the competitions and compete with final boss rivals that recreate an international winter sport competition. You compete for record times and gold medals in this high speed action game and play to fun music that will keep you going until you hit the finish line.

Critical Evaluation:
The alpine skiing is probably the best and most interactive event in this game, while the majority of the other games are fairly standard. The graphics on the game are sufficient and the different levels of play really do encourage game play at all ages. The music is all ages friendly and fast paced to keep up with the game as well. I do think that there could be more winter games added, but in general they can be played at different levels over the course of time and it is a fun interactive way to play with a group of people.

Reader's Annotation:
This game is fun for the whole family, letting you learn how to ski, snowboard and ice skate while interactively competing in competitions and playing with opponents.

Websites to look Into:
http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/pelvCayCbXsbyCuZUnQgIa5ASWDt_lPH
http://www.nintendo.com/countryselector
http://www.conspiracygames.com/products/wii_wintersports.html

Similar Games:
Wii Sports Resort
Wii Ski and Snowboard
Wii Winter Sports 2 & 3

Booktalking Ideas:
Discussing sports and the importance of physical activity
Have the game played when you are discussing key points about it

Genre:
Video Games, Sports, Action

Interest Age:
13+

Challenge Issues:
Mild language, Tobacco & Alcohol references are the rating warnings in this game, but none the less it is rated for everyone. They are not extreme so to combat this challenge I would present the fact if one was to go snowboarding or skiing in real life they would most likely encounter these things in that atmosphere.

Why this Video Game?
I chose this Wii game because I think that it is important to include activity and sports into the collection. This game includes many fun winter activities that can reach many young adults that may not get the opportunity to get to the snow as much as they would like to.