Hit The Slopes With We Ski And Snowboard

Namco Bandai has something special for those with a penchant for high-performance snowboarding. The company today announced the sequel to We Ski.

Take flight, Mr. Mii

"We Ski and Snowboard," the new sequel to the "We Ski" sports game for the Nintendo Wii, allows both hardcore and recreational players to enjoy winter sports skiing and snowboarding.

A trailer for the game, only completed on Monday, was shown at Namco Bandai's pre-Tokyo Game Show news conference on Tuesday and revealed exciting slopes to conquer with the addition of two mountains -- Mt. Angrio and Jamboree Snow Resort -- and 10,000 more vertical feet, as well as more realistic visuals of a snow resort.

During a demonstration of the game one of its developers jumped and mimicked real snowboarders through solid footwork and showed a skill at keeping his balance on the Wii Balance Board in conjunction with the Wiimote and nunchucks in his hands. It seems to be an easy game to learn, however, Namco Bandai ensures that gamers will be entertained through the myriad stunts they can perform with the snow park's boxes, rails and a half-pipe.

Panoramic views are promised on the gondola ride on the way up the mountain and the ability to ski during daytime, dusk or night adds an extra dimension to the game as do avalanches that can catch out unwary gamers.

Players can also make contact with the other skiers or snowboarders present in the game's virtual world. Players can approach characters with icons above their head to obtain information and tips about the mission and the resort.

Japanese gamers get a head start on their virtual ski and snowboard training as it's set to be released here this October. The expected release date for North America is March 2009.