1080° Snowboarding

Players control snowboarders in various modes. 1080° features two trick modes (Trick Attack and Contest), three race modes (Race, Time Attack, and 2 Players), a Training mode, and an Options mode. The objective of the game is either to reach a level's finish line as quickly as possible or to achieve the highest score by executing trick combinations. In 1080°' s two trick modes, Trick Attack and Contest, players earn points by completing tricks.

In Contest mode, players perform tricks and snowboard past flags to gain points. In Trick Attack mode, players must perform a series of tricks throughout a designated level. The game includes 24 tricks and 5 secret tricks, all executed through combinations of circular movements of the control stick , along with the R, Z, and B buttons. Points are awarded based on the complexity of the tricks, combos, and the time required.

The two categories of tricks are grab tricks, where the snowboarder grabs the board in a specific manner, and spin tricks, where the snowboarder spins the board a certain number of degrees. The 1080° spin, the game's most complex trick, requires nine distinct actions to perform. 1080° features three race modes. In these modes, players can achieve victory by selecting alternate routes within a course and balancing the snowboarder after jumps to avoid losing speed.

Although tricks are scored in race modes, they do not contribute to winning. In Match Race mode, the player competes in a series of races against AI-controlled snowboarders. The game tracks the player’s time throughout the level, and the player is assigned a damage meter that fills if the snowboarder falls or is knocked over. The difficulty level in Match Races can be set to normal, hard, or expert, affecting both the complexity and the number of races.

If the player fails to defeat an AI competitor, they must retire. The player is given three chances to beat the AI before the game ends. Players can initially choose from five snowboarders: two from Japan, and one each from Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Each snowboarder has unique abilities and is suited for different levels and modes, as they vary in statistics such as technique, speed, and weight.

Three additional snowboarders can be unlocked by completing certain game levels and modes. Players also start with eight snowboards available for every character, with one additional snowboard unlockable later in the game. Each snowboard is tailored to different situations, as they offer varying strengths in areas such as balance and edge control.