Freak Out: Extreme Freeride

The Good
I love the powder aspect of this game - it is the most advanced I have encountered in a video game. Although I don't play much video games, I really like this game because I cannot ski all that much in my current job. This game includes a "flow" functionality which somewhat mirrors successful mentality on the slopes - if you are an advanced skier you know what I mean. I personally think the controls are somewhat intuitive, and it doesn't take (too) much skill to control the character.. which is fine because in real life it takes both an attitude and years of practice to be able to do anything fun...

The Bad
the music - it's fine but I wish I could include or substitute my own via a music player of some sort.

Also, it would be cool if there were more easter eggs, such as other runs that you could break into, or ski lifts :)

I can't wait for the next generation of ski simulations to come out - and hopefully to more platforms. There is a huge market for this sort of game in the U.S., but they don't even sell this psp game domestically, it seems.

The Bottom Line
helps to counter some of the ski-jonesing you may have in the off season... recommended. I don't play sports games, and this one is still not perfect, but it's fun - worthwhile if you can get your hands on one that works on your psp (since I guess it's originally a European game). My home ski area is Squaw Valley, CA.