It's time to don your trusty ski goggles and bobble hat as Alpine Racer 3 glides into town with some wild and wonderful new moves. Based on the massively popular arcade downhill skiing simulation, and with a few whizzy tricks up its sleeve, Alpine Racer 3 is a breathtaking and bone-crunching experience. More...
Analogue - sticks only
Players: 1-2 Players
Media: DVD
It's time to don your trusty ski goggles and bobble hat as Alpine Racer 3 glides into town with some wild and wonderful new moves. Based on the massively popular arcade downhill skiing simulation, and with a few whizzy tricks up its sleeve, Alpine Racer 3 is a breathtaking and bone-crunching experience.
You can take to the piste on either the traditional skis, or snowboard, before hurling yourself into oblivion on one of the Alps' nine faithfully reproduced courses. But before you start ploughing down the run with no regard for public or personal safety, you'll need to select your character. There are eight different competitors to choose from, each with their own unique skills, ability and personality. Once you've settled on your favourite, all that's left is to select your mode, and get skiing.
With five options available, you're spoilt for choice, and can take your pick from a season-style cup competition, Cross Racing, slalom races, Time Attack mode, and one-on-one challenges - allowing you to demonstrate your expert breakneck skiing skills and leave your hapless opponent eating slush.
As you progress, various items can be picked up to assist you, and a handy commentary will let you know how you're getting on. If you get a split-second to spare when you're careening down the slopes, take some time out to admire the scenery. The landscapes and hillside streets and towns have been recreated beautifully, providing a stunning backdrop to the action. Even weather conditions have been taken into account, and you could find yourself flying along in dazzling sunshine, or battling it out in the midst of a blizzard. There's also the risk of an avalanche, so you might want to avoid uphill yodelling...
In addition to the standard rocks, bumps and trees, there are other various obstacles to slow things up, and you might find yourself skiing in to the path of oncoming buses and cars if you're not careful. Extra style points can be earned for pulling off stunts and tricks, and managing to land in one piece!
After a few competitions, there's the opportunity to start using your hard-earned prize funds to customise your character. This means you can splash your winnings on a flash new board, or even faster skis.
All the exhilarating energy and speed of the arcade version is present here, and adrenaline junkies and extreme sports fans alike will want to keep on picking this up for another go. The gameplay is simple to master and the characters' unique competing style makes for a great sense of depth and substance. The game looks great too, with impressive snowscapes and vistas providing some pleasing eye candy.
-Nine different courses, recreated from satellite data of the Alps
-Five different game modes - including a season-style cup competition, Cross Racing, one on one challenges, slalom races and Time Attack mode
-Eight different characters to choose from, with unique mix of attributes and abilities
-Customise your character, buying better, faster skis and even snowboards and ski-boards with money you win from each race
-New improved conversion of the arcade hit downhill racer
-5 game modes, 9 different courses
-8 characters, each with unique attributes and abilities
-Courses packed with objects and obstacles to help or hinder
-Upgrade your character and equipment with your prize money
-Context-sensitive commentary
-For 1-2 players