Some Atlus Fans Want Snowboard Kids to Make a Comeback

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Summary

  • Fans want a comeback for Atlus’ Snowboard Kids series despite its dormant status.
  • The series struggled due to competition with other N64 racing games like Mario Kart.
  • Atlus appears to still own the rights to Snowboard Kids, leaving room for a potential sequel under Sega.

As a seasoned gamer of the ’90s and early ’00s, I can’t help but feel a twinge of nostalgia when I hear about the desire for Atlus’ Snowboard Kids to make a comeback. Growing up in the era of Nintendo 64, I remember the thrill of competing with friends on the snow-covered slopes of Snowboard Kids and its sequel, the kart racing style that set it apart from other N64 racing games. The joy of mastering the tricks and gathering items to boost your speed was unparalleled.

Fast forward to today, and I find myself reminiscing about those simpler times while scrolling through gaming forums discussing the possibility of a Snowboard Kids revival. It’s heartening to see that the series still has a dedicated fanbase, even though its last game, SBK: Snowboard Kids, didn’t quite hit the mark with fans and critics alike.

I can understand why some might prefer the original kart racing style over the DS title, but I also recognize that times have changed, and a modern sequel would need to evolve while staying true to its roots. If done right, Snowboard Kids could once again bring joy to gamers young and old, offering a unique racing experience in the crowded market of kart racers.

In jest, I can’t help but wonder if they’ll ever include a “Grandpa Slalom” mode for players like me who are just trying to keep up with the younger generation!

Recently, some enthusiasts have been chatting about the possibility of Atlus reviving their Snowboard Kids racing game. Known primarily for their Shin Megami Tensei and Persona RPG series, Atlus boasts a vast gaming library that spans numerous genres. They’ve tackled everything from the interactive medical drama series Trauma Center, to the hack-and-slash action game Samurai Western, and even the puzzle platformer hybrid Catherine. Once upon a time, Atlus also ventured into the racing genre with Snowboard Kids.

The “Snowboard Kids” series is a high-speed racing franchise originally created by Atlus, with its first installment developed by Racjin. This initial game was launched in 1997 on the Nintendo 64 console, offering snowboard racing action amidst fierce competition from other popular N64 racers like “Mario Kart,” which debuted a year earlier. The Japanese version of the first game also appeared on PlayStation 1, and a sequel followed in 1999. The latest title, “SBK: Snowboard Kids,” was released for the Nintendo DS in 2005, surprising fans as it was seemingly unexpected. Unfortunately, the reception to this DS version was poor, leading to its lack of success among both players and critics. Since then, the series has remained quiet.

On Reddit’s r/atlus forum, a user named Tusheabu recently sparked discussion among fans about the whereabouts of the Snowboard Kids intellectual property. He reminisced about growing up with the games and expressed hope that the popular snowboard racing game series could return in the form of a potential remake someday. He pointed out that while SBK: Snowboard Kids was “okay,” he personally preferred the kart racing style of Snowboard Kids and Snowboard Kids 2 on the N64/PS1.

Fans Want Snowboard Kids to Make a Comeback

People observed that the series didn’t perform as expected because it was going up against other snowboarding games like “1080 Snowboarding” and “Cool Boarders” on the N64. Additionally, it was pointed out that the original developers of “Snowboard Kids,” Racjin, are still in operation, but some of the team members who initially worked on “Snowboard Kids” have moved to other studios such as Atlus itself or Vanillaware. Since Atlus is believed to own the intellectual property rights for “Snowboard Kids,” a sequel could potentially be developed under Sega.

Regardless of its triumphs in the JRPG genre, fans observe that Atlus boasts a rich library of intriguing titles which haven’t received new installments in quite some time. Some speculate this could be due to staff constraints, as Atlus has previously expressed interest in developing another game like Trauma Center, provided there was sufficient demand. For the present, Snowboard Kids is among Atlus’ overlooked series, alongside others such as Radiant Historia and Trauma Center. Fans are eagerly anticipating the possibility of Atlus introducing Snowboard Kids to the Nintendo Switch Online service.

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2024-12-29 19:54