Ski or Die
a game by | Ultra Soft |
Genre: | Sports |
Platform: | NES |
Editor Rating: | 7/10, based on 2 reviews |
User Rating: | 6.7/10 - 3 votes |
Rate this game: | |
See also: | Sport Games, Winter Sports Games, Skateboarding Games |
Remember the last time you knocked heads with Bionic Lester? He's the skater who left you with a concussion and a fear of "boppers" in Skate or Die's Pool'Joust. Now, Lester's dropped a new challenge into your mailbox: Ski or Die. What kind of idiot would accept an invitation like that? You.
Get Chillin'
Ultra's Ski or Die is a snowbound copycat of Skate or Die, just swap the skateboards for a snowboard, skis, and an inner tube. Llike Skate or Die, one to six players vie for victory in any or all of five events -- the Aero Aerials, the Snowboard Half Pipe, the Inner Tube Thrash, the Snowball Blast, and the Downhill Blitz.
Kiss the Sky
There are two parts to the Aero Aerials event. First, build up as much speed as humanly possible on the ramp, then try to perform a dazzling assortment of midair tricks such as the Spread-Eagle and the Back-Scratch. Make a safe landing and you're sure to pull in high marks from the judges.
ProTip: The Acro Aerials is a great place to use a joystick equipped with rapid fire.
Slip Slidin' Away
In the Snowboard Half Pipe, a variation on Skate or Die's Freestyle, you speed through a snow-filled channel where you have to jack up your velocity and pull as many cool moves as possible. But watch out for the Chainsaw Totin' Bunnies obstructing your path.
Totally Tubular
The only two-player simultaneous event, the Inner Tube Thrash, has two objectives:
- Beat your opponent to the finish line;
- Grab a Fork, a Lawn Dart, or a Pocket Knife to flatten his hopes early and often.
Here's Snow In Your Eye
The Snowball Blast sounds like every kid's secret fantasy: hit dozens of brats smack in the face with well packed snowballs. Actually, it's just another aim-and-fire shoot-out with the usual assortment of enemies, bonus items, and special targets.
Snag the Shovel at all costs. You get extra time, which is vital for clearing the level.
Slope's Up!
Take an ordinary looking mountain, plaster it with twisted trails, throw in a broken bridge for good measure, and you've got the Downhill Blitz. To capture this event you must zoom to the finish line in minimal time, catching air along the way every chance you get.
Avoid crashing. The seconds you save translate into bonus points at the end of the race. In the Blitz, the longer you hold down A, the farther you jump. Watch the skier's shadow to determine where you'll land.
Skate or Ski?
And now for the freezing question: Is all this fun in the Winter Wonderland worth the price of admission? If you've already played Skate or Die, the answer is probably no. But if you want a fairly fun group game, the answer is yes.
All of the events except for the Snowball Blast are near-duplicates of contests from Skate or Die. Some are slightly improved, like the Aero Aerials which features more involved scoring than the High Jump. The Inner Tube Thrash, on the other hand, is less challenging than the Downhill Jam because it has fewer obstacles. Finally, the Snowball Blast is a lame idea that isn't nearly as gripping as the Pool Joust.
I came, I saw, I skied, I lived (sort of).
Download Ski or Die
System requirements:
- PC compatible
- Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
- P-200, 32 MB RAM
Game Reviews
Based on the computer version of the same game, Ski or Die features five exciting and different winter activities. Have fun in an old fashioned snowball fight, compete in an all out downhill ski race, practice your tricks in a snowboard halfpipe, show off your hot dog skiing aerobatics or just go downhill on an innertube. No matter which you choose each event is challenging, and demands split second timing and coordination.