It seems that any sport that lets you risk breaking your head is given the O2 treatment these days. Now that little-known wakeboarding has entered the equation, what could possibly be left on the publisher's list? Base-jumping? Synchronised skydiving? Maybe Jackass-style shopping trolley racing?

Wakeboarding, as you'd probably expect by its relative unfamiliarity, is a bit of an oddball. Like Aussie rules football mutates soccer, gridiron and rugby, this high-flying pastime takes elements of surfing, skateboarding and water-skiing and rolls them into one sweet package. Imagine being dragged along by a speeding boat, soaring through clouds like a ragged human kite and bouncing off waves with the intensity of a ball bearing in a pinball machine.

The game itself is rubber-stamped firmly with the familiar O2 print, but with several neat twists to give it a feel all of its own. In fact, despite a similar handling setup, even ardent Tony Hawk's pros will probably require a crash course before executing 100,000 point combos without having their face embedded in the sea floor. A activates jump, X and B prompt grab and air moves, while Y will see your dude embark on a dangerous slab of boardsliding. Gaining speed is perhaps the most sim-like part of its design. As the opening tutorial level generously explains, swinging your boarder towards the centre of a thundering wave, and timing jumps with perfect precision is the key to success and extra height.

Okay, so that's the basics out of the way, now here's the really interesting part. As well as clinging onto your boat, your rider also has the ability to temporarily depart from its guide for a slice of solo venturing. This allows for some short, scenic journeys through obstacle-infested environments. Static boats can be used for tricking off, rocky canyons explored, jagged ridges jumped and dilapidated houses bravely leapt. Winding rails, broken jungle branches and, believe it or not, even aquatically themed rollercoasters all offer perfect opportunities for recording that stat-breaking, injury-defying epic boardslide whether you're alone or in tow. And with practice, you'll soon be able to leave your legions of fans with their jaws on floors. Why not try spinning away from your vehicle, sliding through a spooky graveyard, 'somersaulting' 12 feet up into the air and grabbing hold of your boat's trailing rope just for added effect? That's sure to impress 'em.

In terms of goals and aims, the variety of challenges included in the main Career mode is massively testing. There are the usual level objectives such as notching up an Insane points score, pulling off successive three-move combos or tipping cows (eh?), but there is a huge wealth of strange challenges to be unlocked too. Some of these are truly extraordinary, such as the Deliverance-influenced 'duelling banjos' in the Bayou swamp (trust us, all becomes clear as you play) or rescuing animals in a speedboat.

Now all of this would be a total waste if the game doesn't play. But it does. Oh boy, does it play. For a start, the water physics in Wakeboarding Unleashed are absolutely stunning. As your boarder gains momentum, the waves rock and curve with so much lifelike authenticity it's almost frightening. The controls are fluid, the onscreen movement even more so and the size of scope, challenge and excitement, positively unnerving. Sure, it's just another extreme sports game, which means that it probably won't be flavour of the month for everyone. And for all its stylish twists, subtle improvements and individualities, at heart, the overall experience does not dramatically differ to what's already been promoted in previous O2 games. But don't let that put you off - most of them were pretty good. In fact, we're gonna be hard pressed to recommend a better sport to play this summer. Get this and get drenched.

Power
Smooth and fast with incredible water effects and gorgeous picturesque environments.

Style
It's more arcade than sim, but is realistic enough not to alienate hardcore stunt fans.

Immersion
Easy-to-learn controls to drop you straight into the action. Challenges vary from fun to frustrating.

Lifespan
The range of challenges and size of environments will keep you busy for ages. Multiplayer's great too.

Summary
A wonderful blend of sporting realism and outrageous arcade action. Who cares if it's not the most popular of extreme sports?

1. Mega cool action
2. Fast, furious and exciting
3. Loads of challenges
4. Ace water physics

1. Could get repetitive
2. And it's still Tony Hawk's at heart