I had difficulties grasping the logic behind using the DS as a platform, but it does have benefits. It is a largely untapped market, but more importantly, the Teen rating will offer younger gamers the chance to get in Grand Theft Auto-style gaming without the mature content. This isn’t to say that C.O.P. doesn’t have gunplay. In fact, the FPS-style movement and the weaponry, from hand-cannons to assault-rifles, nearly outclass the short list of DS-shooters. I only hope that enemies get some sort of targeting reticule around them, because they can be troublesome to spot on the small screen.

The streets of NYC are overcrowded and overused as it is, but if C.O.P. can maintain the level of polish seen in the early missions, I think we can make room for one more.

Blame it on impulsive youth. The original Shaun White took the all-out, bigger and better-than-everything approach to snowboarding and hit the bottom of the slope feeling like a collection of good intentions poorly implemented. Ubisoft listened to criticisms and is returning to the scene with a more focused effort.

The most obvious difference is the lack of free-riding. Instead of aimlessly cruising down the mountain, which I will miss, 75 events are accessed from a hub that pro-boarders know all too well – the airport. From there, you can also play mini-games, adjust your equipment, and change partners. The partners, the camera-operators, are never seen, but each one imparts a unique bonus, such as extra speed or jumping power.

World stage clearly has the Balance Board in mind. From a distance, the controls look floaty, indirect, and nearly crash-free. Facewashes don’t come easily. When you hop on the balance board, it’s like finding the perfect combination of boots and bindings. I’ve had 20 minutes of prior experience with the accessory. It took me a quarter of that time to carve with precision.

The half-pipe was my favorite event, and gave me a sense of how the game’s leniency and the Balance Board truly work together. Cruising back and forth on the half-pipe is a simple matter of leaning left and right, and you can do a few tricks with minimal effort. You need precision, timing, and flair with your feet to get the high score though. As long as Ubisoft can maintain this delicate balance of competitive progression and SSX-style fun, they should have a contender on their hands.