Torino 2006 is a fun game. People have been too critical on this game but I enjoy it. What I was surprised most with was the graphics first of all. The graphics are top notch in this game: the character models look real and the environments are great. The variety of events is lacking, but we do have:

-Alpine Skiing (Downhill, Super-G, Giant Slalom, and Slalom)
-Speed Skating (500 m, 1000 m, and 1500 m)
-Bobsleigh (Four man & women's)
-Biathlon
-Luge
-Ski Jumping (Normal or Large Hill)
-Nordic Combined (Ski Jumping + Cross-Country Skiing)
-Cross-Country Skiing

It's a shame to see that hockey, snowboarding, and curling (among other events) didn't make it to the final product but the available games at least tend to stray away from "button-mashing". I would only consider speed skating to be the button-masher of the events because all you must do is time your A and B between each other. That becomes tedious but I did find challenges in the biathlon, nordic, cross-country and events like the luge and bobsled (it's tougher than it might seem). The commentary has been criticized but it shouldn't be so hounded on. I will defend it by saying that:

1.) The actors don't sound like they're reading directly off a script. They do act to an extent.
2.) The real-life commentary of these games mirrors the video game. Neither are better than each other.

I was pleased to see some history on the games dropped once in a while (Commentary notes on previous real-life athlete records, locations, etc.). The only argument against this is that you cannot play as a real-life athlete. All you are is a country (USA, Italy, etc.). I also enjoyed seeing the real-life venue's titled in the game (Speed skating, for example, takes place at the Torino Oval Lingotto which is a real-life location). The gameplay format is separated into either a strait 15-event cycle, 9-event, or single event cycle. The game also lets you customize your own competition. The game has no glitches that I can report of and for the most part has no flaws. The only thing it suffers from is a lack of replay value. One (small) complaint I did have with the game is how it generates gender for you in events. If I wanted to play a biathlon event, as an example, I didn't have the choice to be a male or a female, the game decided for me.

The video game is priced at $20 so buyers may be cautious because they expect a mediocre game. This is game is a note above mediocre I believe because it incorporates real trivia/location/history into the game. I also enjoyed the subtle elements in different aspects of the game such as sound and graphics. When I was playing a cross-country event, I heard the usual crowd cheer sound bite but was surprised to hear at times dogs barking or church bells ringing in the distance. Another subtle and noteworthy touch is the element of snow. I appreciated that it did snow in these games. You have to admire the developers for going the extra-step with their research. Overall, Torino 2006 is a fun game. It's a par above average for those wanting a relaxing game. For die-hard Olympic nuts (such as me) this is a must-buy. If there's anything else aside from the real-life Olympics that can get you in the mood, Torino 2006 is a perfect choice.