Besides Tux, players can select one of three other characters to race as: Samuel the seal, Boris the polar bear, and Neva the penguin.[5]: 6 Some courses contain jump and speed pads as power-ups, and players can perform tricks in midair to receive points.[5]: 4 They can participate in cups in one of the two events serving as game modes: the traditional "Solo Challenge" or the new "Race vs Opponents", where a computer opponent is added and must be defeated in order for the player to advance.[5]: 7 Courses are unlocked for completing unfinished cups.