Shaun White Hits The Video Game Slopes

Action sports has its share of entrepreneurs, but many of them sacrifice credibility for a paycheck. Maybe you’ve heard of Ryan Sheckler or Andy MacDonald? Oye. Pro Snowboarder Shaun White balances the two well, though. He’s risen above the bickering and combined big tricks and big contest wins with big money-making projects (see his full clothing line The White Collection with Burton, Shaun White for Target, etc.)

This Sunday, the Flying Tomato will drop his first video game, Shaun White Snowboarding. The gameplay is a lot like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, but the graphics and scenery are pumped up to utilize every pixel on that HDTV from your Christmas list (recession special!). Read on for the rest of the review and to see screen caps from the Target’s exclusive bonus level…

Shaun White Snowboarding allows you to play in story mode, where you make your way through several resorts and contests, or you can just go out freeriding and hit every little jump, tree, and ledge (which for us is the most fun). The game comes on XBox 360 and Playstation 3 platforms, but if you have the Wii platform, look into that version. Ubisoft designers took the Wii Balance board and turned it into a snowboard so you actually ride through the levels, which makes you feel better about spending Sunday in your living room. The scenery and visuals were built on the same engine as Assasin’s Creed, so be prepared for a nice dose of shred-reality.

If you pick up your copy at Target, the game comes with a full extra level for an extra $5 . Seems like a no brainer. Drops 11/16.