In both instances there is definitely a learning curve. The game is a little bit hard, but it mimics the actual sport almost to perfection. Surf Riders follows the full set of rules and regulations set by the Association of Surfing Professionals and features 16 of the top surfing pros gamers can choose to attack the waves in the game. In the qualifying rounds, players that ride the waves in a big way and rack up plenty of points can advance to the semi-finals and then onto the finals. Demonstrating power, size, and speed within their maneuvers, players are also awarded points for pulling off some cool tricks like cyclones, helicopters, left or right spins, back flips, cutbacks, and tube rides.
Surfers can tackle the waves of Hawaii, Japan, France, Australia, and California.
Surf Riders isn't easy, but can be loads of fun once you master the controls. The Dreamcast version will take advantage of Sega's Dreamcast multiplayer gaming network and will be fully playable. It is based on the online racing title POD that sold close to four million units on the PC after it was released in 1998. In the multiplayer game racers can fight with missile-based weapons and up to five players can play against each other at any one time. The one track that was playable was very well done.