Looks like I was spot-on last month, by suggesting a skiing game for that Wii Balance Board which Nintendo will be bundling with Wii Fit. Curiously, though, the new game announced today isn't called Wii Ski - but We Ski. The reason I'm hesitating to call it a "new" game is that this is, in fact, an older Namco Bandai project initially known as Family Ski. Along with the change of title, the dual publisher also said it would release We Ski during spring 2008, and revealed a few more gameplay details.

According to IGN's feet-on preview, the good news is that We Ski can be played entirely with the Wiimote and Nunchuk, but the bad news is that even if you will have a Balance Board, it can only be used in single-player mode - so no drunken balancing in multiplayer, boo!

More gameplay features after these screenshots.

"In We Ski, up to four skiers can test their skills on more than a dozen runs from the bunny slopes to the most challenging Black Diamonds. Not only can players carve through the trails using the motion-based controls but they can also mix in the Wii Balance Board for a whole new level of realism. Players can ski using their own Mii or create a new character with a host of customizable options including changeable face and body types. Boosting the customization feature, additional skis, poles, goggles, and costumes can be unlocked.

We Ski features an entire mountain to explore, complete with a ski school, freestyle skiing, moguls and slaloms, photography, and a variety of other events. Players can even try their hand at night skiing while enjoying the spectrum of fireworks that color the sky. With We Ski no more long drives to the snow will be necessary to enjoy a day of shredding the mountains."

Tags:  Wii, sport, Namco Bandai