Steep Slope Sliders
A 1997 snowboarding game for Saturn and arcade systems.
Steep Slope Sliders is a 1997 snowboarding video game developed by Victor Interactive Software and the Cave Company for the Sega Saturn and Sega Titan ST-V arcade system. Capcom released the arcade version, while Victor Interactive Software handled the Japanese release and Sega distributed it elsewhere. The game drew favorable comparisons to other snowboarding titles for its sharp graphics, innovative design, and intuitive control system.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Cave
- Publisher
- Victor Interactive Software (JP)
- Sega (WW)
- Capcom (Arcade) (JP)
- Director
- Yasuyuki Hirota
- Producer
- Yasuo Ono; Kenichi Takano
- Programmer
- Akiyoshi Hanai; Seiji Iwakura
- Composer
- Takehiro Sibasaki; Toru Wada
- Platforms
- Sega Saturn, Arcade
- Genre
- Sports video game
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
Players can race for the best time or perform tricks for freestyle points, with half-pipe and snowboard park courses available for the latter. A ghost mode lets players compete against a saved run. Unlike the combo-based system of Cool Boarders, Steep Slope Sliders gives the player more autonomy: tricks are executed via face buttons rather than directional inputs while jumping, based on the Jamma configuration used in arcades. The Saturn version uses the console's internal clock to change the in-game setting to reflect the real-world time of day.
Reception
Steep Slope Sliders received positive reviews, with the Saturn version holding a 77% on GameRankings from four reviews. Critics praised its varied course designs that encourage exploration, tight controls, numerous unlockables, and fast-moving graphics. Game Informer considered it a strong entry but second to Cool Boarders 2, though most reviewers held that Steep Slope Sliders had edged out Cool Boarders 2 as the superior game. Several reviews noted its relatively little pop-up and polygon breakup, a common shortcoming of the Cool Boarders series. Joe Fielder of GameSpot argued its biggest advantage over Cool Boarders 2 was more accessible controls, but concluded the lack of multiplayer or AI opponents kept it from being truly great. The lack of multiplayer was a common criticism. Next Generation gave it a strong recommendation, deeming it one of the deeper entries in the genre. Electronic Gaming Monthly's four-person team called it the most fun and replayable snowboarding game for consoles, with Shawn Smith placing it in his personal top ten Saturn games. Sega Saturn Magazine called it the most realistic and enjoyable translation of the sport to date. GamePro summarized that a variety of courses, fun gameplay, fast-moving graphics, and responsive controls make it appealing for both aces and novices.
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