Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Snowboard Kids Plus retains the fast-paced, arcade-style racing that defined the original Snowboard Kids, delivering a familiar yet refreshed experience on the PlayStation. Players choose from a roster of colorful characters and race down a variety of courses filled with ramps, obstacles, and the occasional mischievous opponent. The core mechanics—carving turns, building boost, and deploying power-ups—are as tight and responsive as ever, making every race feel both accessible to newcomers and rewarding for series veterans.

This Plus edition introduces several new gameplay elements to keep things fresh. Four additional characters—Nicole Couch, Pamela Rasteri, Ruby Green, and Kaede—each bring their own stats and special tricks, expanding the strategic depth of character selection. New snowboard designs offer subtle performance tweaks, encouraging players to experiment with different ride styles depending on the course and play mode.

Beyond cosmetic changes, Snowboard Kids Plus adds a convenient auto-pilot feature that guides racers toward the lift-in after crossing the finish line, speeding up transitions between runs. The in-game shop allows you to dye your character’s hair and purchase new outfits, injecting a light customization layer that encourages repeated play. Cut-scenes between races further enhance the feeling of progression, letting you unlock and replay story moments through the Event Viewer.

Graphics

Transitioning to the PlayStation hardware, Snowboard Kids Plus offers sharper textures and more vibrant color palettes compared to its Nintendo 64 predecessor. Character models are more detailed, and the board designs show off subtle gloss and shading effects that bring extra life to each avatar. While it doesn’t push the PlayStation’s limits, the game maintains a cheerful, cartoon-like aesthetic that perfectly matches its lighthearted tone.

The courses themselves are varied and visually engaging, ranging from snowy mountain peaks to neon-lit winter resorts. Environmental assets—such as pine trees, frozen lakes, and mechanical lift structures—are rendered with a crispness that makes each track feel distinct. Weather effects like drifting snow and wisps of fog add atmosphere without impacting performance, ensuring a steady frame rate even in split-screen multiplayer.

Plus’s addition of animated cut-scenes marks a high point in presentation for the series. These brief story interludes feature expressive character animations, simple yet charming backgrounds, and stylized on-screen text. They’re short enough not to interrupt the racing flow, yet contribute significantly to the game’s personality and overall polish.

Story

Snowboard Kids Plus picks up a few days after the original competition, in which Linda emerged victorious. This installment dives into the aftermath, as new racers from around the world arrive to challenge the reigning champ and stake their claim to the title. While the plot remains light and playful, it provides a fun backdrop to the racing mayhem and helps distinguish each character’s motivations.

Cut-scenes play a bigger role here, fleshing out rivalries and friendships with quick exchanges and humorous moments. You’ll witness playful taunts from Pamela Rasteri, spirited encouragement from Ruby Green, and Tufty’s trademark antics—all rendered in crisp 2D animations. The story doesn’t aim for deep drama, but its carefree charm is a perfect match for the series’ whimsical vibe.

Between races, the Event Viewer lets you revisit these story clips at any time, making it easy to catch any dialogue you missed. Though the narrative remains straightforward, it adds a layer of cohesion to the single-player tournament, giving you a sense of progression beyond simply unlocking new tracks and characters.

Overall Experience

Snowboard Kids Plus succeeds in bringing the series into the PlayStation era while preserving everything fans loved about the original. Its blend of tight racing controls, cheeky power-ups, and vibrant presentation makes it a standout winter sports title—even though it never saw an official release outside Japan. For import enthusiasts, this is a rare gem that captures the essence of late-’90s arcade racers.

The added characters, customization options, and cut-scenes enhance replayability, giving players reasons to revisit tracks and experiment with new strategies. Multiplayer remains a highlight, as split-screen battles deliver endless fun with friends. Whether you’re diving into the single-player tournament or challenging rivals locally, the game’s balance of chaos and control ensures each run feels fresh.

Though language barriers and region-locking may pose challenges for some, dedicated fans will find plenty to appreciate in this exclusive entry. Snowboard Kids Plus is a charming, fast-paced adventure that extends the series in meaningful ways, and it stands as a must-play for anyone craving a spirited, snowbound racing experience on the PlayStation.

Retro Replay Score

null/10