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It hasn’t been since the N64 have I found a winter sports game that I have liked as much as Winter Sports for the Wii. Add in the fun of actually being active while playing the game rather than simply pushing buttons and you have found your self a winner. I was even able to talk my wife into competing against me and she is definitely not a gamer.

The game has 15 different events to compete in which are all fun in their own way. There are 4 different Alpine ski events, 2 ski jump events, 2 speed skating, cross-country skiing, bobsleigh (2 woman and 4 man), Luge, Skeleton, figure skating and curling. You are able to compete in single events, competitions consisting of 7 events, all 15 events or create your own, campaigns (test your skills in various events) or career mode. If the computer competition at the highest difficulty just is not enough for you, you can compete against up to 4 other people. I don’t know about you but that is a lot of choices and options.

Each sport has its own way of using the controllers. Conspiracy Entertainment did a great job of matching the movement of the controllers to the movement of the actual sport. For the skiing events you better have your edges sharpened and ready to carve out the turns. Just like in real skiing you have to twist the controllers in the direction that you want to turn. Tilt the controllers forward (crouch) to increase the speed and tilt the controllers up (stand upright) to decrease your speed. I found myself moving as if I was out on the slopes. Especially once I opened the windows and let the –25 wind-chill blow through the house. For cross country skiing you need to carve your way through the course moving the controllers forward and back. In the bobsled, luge and skeleton after getting your heart pumping pushing your way through the start you get to steer your way to victory at neck breaking speeds.

The graphics are very well done to give you the look and feel of actually competing. It even looks good on the 106” screen. Miss a turn in skiing, miss a landing in the ski jump or rub against the wall in the bobsled and you will feel it or at least think you feel it. Not only do you see the athlete flailing about but then the commentators in the background add to it by having just a tinge of sarcasm in their comments.

The commentators can get repetitive, especially when you are struggling, but it is nice to see a game where sarcasm is acceptable. Start messing up and the commentators will definitely let you know by yawning, discussing items other than the actual play by play and ripping on your training. Unfortunately, like any game the commentators can get very repetitive since you are only able to program so many phrases into a game. The comments though do fit each of the individual events, which makes it seem a little less repetitive. Unless of course you are like me and need to keep doing the same event over and over again until I get it right or just can’t take it anymore. For me it was never that I could not take it anymore as much as it was I needed to get to bed so I could go to work in the morning.

Overall I found this a very good adaptation of the various winter sports that we all enjoy for the Wii. The controls are solid and easy to learn. With the controller movements matching the movements of the sport helps add a touch of realism to the game.

Throw on your warm clothes and immerse yourself in the wonderful world of Winter Sports The Ultimate Challenge