A friend said to me: "Why should I get 'Amped'? There's loads of snowboarding games out there, what makes it so different?!" I screamed: "Look at the features goddammit! Just look at them!" He replied: "Ah, I see. Excellent!" This conversation didn't actually take place, but it could well have and my response would have been exactly the same: Features, Features, Features.

Stonking graphics too, but filled to the brim with so many cool touches (no pun intended) and here they are: Open freestyle riding: Gone are the days of just having one run to follow down the mountain, you can now Jib, bonk or spin between runs to hidden areas and cool jump sequences! Real mountains recreated: Ride down runs from real courses such as Utah's Brighton, Vermont's Stratton and California's Snow Summit.

You will also unlock fantasy courses designed by world renowned terrain architect: Chris Gunnerson. Get famous!: Gain worldwide media exposure by pulling off mad tricks in front of photographers to get your face in magazines and video covers. There is the most music in a game. Ever!: Featuring 15 CD's worth of music from the best new independent artists from Hip-Hop to reggae. 150 songs from core indie labels and even having the option to download your own choices to the Xbox and make your own play lists! Stunning.

Maximum replayability: Over 120 runs to steam down packed to the max with rails, kickers and half-pipes, each coming with six unique challenges and hidden areas. Tons of multiplayer options and the ability to taunt and throw snowballs at your friends in freestyle competitions. Amped is shaping up very nicely and looks to be the most ambitious snowboarding game ever, we'll tell you in the spring review how the finished game compares to others in the genre.

Preview By: Alex