ESPN International Winter Sports 2002 Xbox

Konami and ESPN team up for International Winter Sports 2002, an Olympic-style game featuring ten events: downhill skiing, slalom, K90 ski jump, K120 ski jump, freestyle moguls, half-pipe snowboarding, speed skating, curling, figure skating, and the bobsleigh. After selecting one of 16 male or female athletes representing one of eight countries, players can compete in a Trial Mode, Competition Mode, Men's Championship, or Women's Championship.

Trial Mode familiarizes players with the controls needed to succeed, while Competition Mode is a two-player challenge in a single event. The primary mode of play is the Championship, which simulates a three-day competition against international athletes. After the competition ends, final point totals are displayed in a ranking screen along with a password. This password can then be entered on the Internet at /www.ranking.konamiosa.com to see how the score stacks up against other players.

The ten events feature a variety of control schemes. Players directly control the skier in both the downhill and slalom events, using the thumbstick to steer and a button to carve the snow. The two ski jumps involve building up speed down the ramp while players carefully adjust two vertical meters, representing both skis, to account for proper height and balance. The moguls event involves alternating trigger presses to simulate turns as the skier automatically moves down the course, with the thumbsticks used to perform one of a possible 25 tricks in the air.

Half-pipe snowboarding and figure skating both rely on entering a string of button commands within a time limit in order to perform tricks and skating moves, respectively. Speed Skating involves rapidly tapping two buttons to build up speed, while monitoring a power gauge to adjust for turns. Bobsleigh is played from a perspective behind the sled as players steer left and right along the course. Finally, curling involves aiming a stone toward a bull's-eye target while rapidly alternating button presses to simulate the act of sweeping the ice. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide