1080: Avalanche

 GameCube
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 37
  3. Negative: 2 out of 37
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  1. Gamezilla!
    74
    Even great visuals and sound can’t save a game from the dual curse of poor game control and little replay value.
  2. IGN
    73
    The NST-developed sequel is a fun snowboarding game with an impressive sense of speed and entertaining avalanche elements, but it's also relatively shallow, not to mention decidedly less intuitive and less refined than efforts from the competition.
  3. XGP Gaming
    73
    The button configuration allows a fluid, effortless motion to pull of a trick. You don't have to be double jointed to land a simple grab trick.
  5. Weekly Famitsu
    70
    7 / 7 / 7 / 7 - 28 [Vol 788; 23 Jan 2004]
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  6. NTSC-uk
    70
    If you get your head round the fact that Avalanche is trying to do its own thing whilst still keeping to the spirit of N64 1080, it gives constant thrills and a slightly new slant on the snowboarding genre that will be returned to time and again until each course is rinsed.
  7. GMR Magazine
    70
    What Avalanche does right is give the gamer the sickest sense of speed in any snowboarding game to date.
  8. Eurogamer
    70
    I polished off the three main Match Race cups, most of the Time Trials (to unlock the better boards), the final Extreme Challenge and most of the Gate Challenges, not to mention completing each Trick Attack course to a decent standard, well within one five-hour sitting.
  9. games(TM)
    70
    A pleasant surprise. It certainly does not offer the same experience that "SSX 3's" genre-leading gameplay does, but because Avalanche is just as good for different reasons, it doesn't necessarily have to. [Christmas 2003, p.94]
    All this publication's reviews
  10. Nintendojo
    70
    The downside of the game is simply that it is not up to par with "SSX3," which is what happens when you go head to head with someone who has had two previous tries in one console generation to get it right.
  11. Loaded Inc
    70
    Just decent. It doesn’t live up to its older brother at all and its simplified trick system is a big disappointment.
  12. Ferrago
    70
    It's a good racing game, that's for sure, but bizarrely one that has little replay value and a mediocre multiplayer option.
  13. Yahoo!
    70
    It ultimately lacks the long-term appeal of EA's offering.
  14. GameSpot
    67
    Delivers a sometimes thrilling sensation of speed and features a number of nice touches not found in other snowboarding games on the market, but it has very limited lasting value in its single-player mode, and the split-screen multiplayer mode and network play option don't do much to compensate for this shortcoming.
  15. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    67
    When all of its gameplay modes and disappointing multiplayer options are handicapped by game-ending obstacles (you can actually become trapped by a fence) and unnecessarily fussy controls (rotating the stick to maintain balance sucks), the once-mighty 1080° is relegated to benchwarmer status in no time at all.
  16. Game Power Australia
    65
    Unfortunately, it's just too shallow to enjoy for any length of time, and feels restricting when compared with the king of the slopes, "SSX 3."
  17. Game Informer
    63
    Whoever designed Avalanche's trick system obviously got his or her doctorate in stupidity. [Jan 2004, p.136]
  18. GameSpot AU
    60
    The main career mode is broken up into three difficulty levels, but thanks to some extremely rubber AI, unless you do extremely poorly it won't take you very long to get through everything 1080 Avalanche has to offer you.
  19. G4 TV
    60
    Fans of the "1080" franchise will find that other games have left the franchise behind on the bunny slope. Rent it, ride the avalanche, and return it.
  20. Game Revolution
    58
    An awkward trick design and emphasis on speed over style keeps it from reclaiming its past glory, leaving this ex-champ struggling in the snow.

Awards & Rankings

49
#49 Best GameCube Game of 2003
18
#18 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2003
27
#27 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2003

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 44 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 44
  3. Negative: 5 out of 44
  1. EnKira
    Sep 1, 2013
    8
    AWESOME avalanches Duh 1080: AVALANCHE ).
    + Gate Challenge offers for more replay value.
    + Realistic and very fast racing. + Almost     AWESOME avalanches Duh 1080: AVALANCHE ).
    + Gate Challenge offers for more replay value.
    + Realistic and very fast racing.
    + Almost every single track has a pretty awesome atmosphere. But are a tad too short ).
    + You'll be coming back for more.

    *- Character models could've used some polish.
    *- Tricking falls flat compared to the competition. SSX, Amped )
    *- Could use more variety in the soundtrack department.
    - Just 5 boarders They could've added Dion and Kensuke and another female boarder into the mix )
    - Barely any character customization. Just 3 skins per character and 5 character selected boards
    ( An SSX3 style character customization would've been so awesome).

    * A very minor flaw or just something out of preference.

    1080: Avalanche 7.75/10...
    1080 has some problems in the trick and extra character content department. But 1080 hits the perfect spots when it comes to the other three major aspects of the game. Match Race, Gate Challenge and of course Time Attack. And one more very important thing, it makes you want to play the game again and again and again...    … Full Review »
  2. R.W
    Jul 30, 2005
    10
    Too many ppl are going on about how 1080 is short and doesnt have enough tricks. there are 15 grabs in total and 4 spins/flips. but when u Too many ppl are going on about how 1080 is short and doesnt have enough tricks. there are 15 grabs in total and 4 spins/flips. but when u combine these you get all sorts of combos so it doesnt feel like there's not enough for me at all. the moves are awesome. also, the games length (in terms of beating the match races) doesnt take too long like everyone says BUT that doesnt mean you have finished the game. theres lots of other stuff to do like the trick modes, time trials and unlocking extra boards, and its heaps fun. plus its not like you get bored of each course once you've played it already. 1080 is different to ssx3 but i prefer 1080 more because its a lot more realistic and is what you call a true snowboarding game, unlike ssx3 where you do real unrealistic moves that sorta ruins the snowboarding feel. what makes 1080 special though is the fact that its the sequal to the N64 version of 1080 which was a great game...so if you liked the original, 1080 avalanche will bring back the good old memories from the moment you start it up and choose your character like ricky winterborn. to me ssx3 just feels like a gimicky snowboarding game but 1080 is a solid awesome looking game that shouldnt be missed. in the end, 1080 seems to be the most oringal and unique. ive played many other snowboarding games out there and they dont feel as special.… Full Review »
  3. AJCk19
    Jul 19, 2023
    3
    At first glance, this looks like it would be interesting. However, if DeathStranding is a delivery simulator. Then 1080° Avalanche is aAt first glance, this looks like it would be interesting. However, if DeathStranding is a delivery simulator. Then 1080° Avalanche is a snowboard simulator, except without all the bells and whistles.… Full Review »
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