With winter coming just around the corner, many of us cannot wait to hit the slopes. Skiing and snowboarding is one of the best ways to enjoy the winter snow; unfortunately, the season is short and many of us are not able to capitalize on the opportunity before it’s too late.

Thanks to Donut Games’ Rat on a Snowboard, we don’t have to wait until it’s winter to ride. This game will allow you to take on even the craziest runs. But does it shred the slopes or does it wipe out? Find out after the jump.

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Getting Started

While you may not be able to snowboard in real life, Rat on a Snowboard’s controls are very simple. Acceleration is automatic. To jump, you tap; additional taps will make the rat spin which will give you extra points. There is also a two-button control scheme with separate buttons to jump and spin, however, these are much harder to use.

Glide your way down huge slopes, then tap the screen to do some awesome jumps and spins.

The fact that the controls are so simple makes this game perfect for people of all ages. It takes almost no time to get used to the controls, which is awesome because you can jump right into the gameplay. Really, you could give this game to a toddler and he would be able to play it with little to no difficulty.

Black Diamond

Rat on a Snowboard comes packed with three different trails or game modes. Each one brings a different type of gameplay to the table. Not only does this spice up the experience a bit, but it also gives it a ton of replay value and keeps it fresh.

Amass tons of points in Speedy Slopes, which is the basic endurance mode in Rat on a Snowboard.

The first game mode is called Speedy Slopes, and is an endurance mode. It starts out very easy, but picks up the pace quickly. You will have to avoid obstacles such as pine trees, tree stumps, giant snowballs and sleds that come your way. However, there are tons of added point bonuses that you can collect to boost your score.

Exploding Meatballs is another endurance game mode, but it is much more difficult. As the name suggests, there are always exploding meatballs being thrown onto the screen that threaten your life. Extra challenge comes in when you not only need to avoid the meatballs, but maintain “flag combos” and avoid being stabbed by icicles at the same time.

Opt for the Exploding Meatballs level if you’re looking for a bigger challenge — its multiple layers of challenge won’t disappoint.

Last but not least is the Challenges mode, which is essentially the campaign mode of the game. Challenges mode comes packed with dozens of different levels; the goal is to get as many points as possible in each. Stars are earned based on how many points you amass during the level. You are unable to progress until you successfully complete the level you are on.

The common factor of each game mode is its fast-paced, addictive gameplay. Rounds usually don’t last more than a few minutes, which makes it perfect if you’re on the run and just need a quick fix. At the same time, its addictive nature sucks you in, and you can find yourself playing for hours on end.

Bring on the Heat

Gamecenter is integrated thoroughly throughout Rat on a Snowboard. In fact, competition between you and your friends is what keeps the game so fresh. Leaderboards are easy to check within the app, so you can see how you stack up against your pals.

Rat on a Snowboard comes with a few achievements that gauge how often and how well you play.

There are also a few achievements that are scattered around the app, which adds another nuance of challenge to the game. Most of them require time and effort to complete, and you can easily check your progress through the Achievements page of the app.

Most of the achievements can only be unlocked if you play in the Challenges mode.

Graphics

Rat on a Snowboard comes dressed in the typical Donut Games cartoon-style graphics. While they aren’t the best I’ve ever seen, they still are pretty nice. The simple, colorful artwork keeps the focus on the game itself, which is an important aspect in any iPad application.

The game has just enough detail to look good, but not be distracting.

The Verdict

All in all, Rat on a Snowboard is an awesome game. Challenging, fast-paced gameplay makes Rat on a Snowboard a game you’d want to return to, especially since you are stacked up against your friends. It is perfect for a quick fix, but you better watch out because it can truly suck you in no matter how old you are. The cartoon-style graphics are fun and don’t distract you from the game itself.

Still, I wish there were a little bit more to the game. It’s fun and all, but the lack of variety between the levels can leave it a bit stale at times. Nevertheless, the game is hard to pass up at just $0.99, and I’d definitely recommend Rat on a Snowboard to everyone.