The following is a piece I wrote in 2012, shortly after the Olympic and Paralympic games in London.
If you’ve been watching the Olympic and Paralympic games, you might be inspired to take on a new sport or try something different. This might be the same if you’re a retro gamer, as there is only so much fun one can have with the official Olympic video game.
There have been loads of releases over the years on a variety of platforms, with both official and unofficial status. To whet the retro whistle, here are three games sure to satisfy the Olympic gaming fan.
3. International Track and Field – PS1 / Arcade (1996)
This one is the obvious candidate for any Olympic fan. The original Track and Field was an arcade classic back in the mid-80s, made to tie in with the 1984 Olympic games in Los Angeles. This somewhat remake of the original is one of the best athletics games for the PS1. Sure, the PS1 blocky graphics have aged quite badly, but the gameplay is timeless. Who can forget that classic button-bashing madness? This game really comes alive when played in multiplayer, as the 100 meters becomes a real event for the player.
2. Daley Thompson’s Decathlon – C64, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC (1984)
Released on a huge array of home computers in the mid 1980s, Daley Thompson was a huge star after his performance at the 1984 games. Following this, he did a series of video games with a similar formula to Track and Field. The player would take the role of Daley himself, tapping two keys in quick succession to run. jump and throw. There are many events to get your teeth into, although the similar basic gameplay in each might not hold the attention of the modern gaming fan. The graphics are basic too, but it seems to add an extra level of enjoyment. The gameplay is quite linear too, with a sequence of events to follow once one has finished, instead of choosing one. If you have got a home computer in the attic somewhere, I would reccomend checking this game out. Like the previous game, multiplayer is absolutely brilliant.
1. Sydney 2000 – PS1 (2000)
For every Olympic games, there is a video game to coincide with it. The formulas of each one may be similar, but they do represent the technology change every four years. This example is one such game released alongside the Sydney Olympics. It can be interesting going back to these older games, as there is still much fun to be had. There are plenty of track and field, swimming and other events to keep the player entertained. Some of the mini-games included require a great deal of practice, such as diving. The graphics look a little blocky, but the button-bashing gameplay is still there. I would also recommend checking out some of the other Olympic games out there; they can be obtained quite cheaply now.
So there we have it, three great Olympic games for someone to try out. All these games have a unique point, but a lot of similarities too. The button-bashing gameplay is all there, which is a key ingredient. The graphics differ from generation to generation, but it is all about the gameplay.
Some of these games may seem outdated when judged individually, but multiplayer mode brings timeless fun to these games. I will definitely dust off my copy of International Track and Field, grab a beer and a pizza, and challenge my friends to a game after playing a round of Fifa 99!
Do you have a favourite Olympic themed retro video game? Let us know on social media or comment below with your thoughts.
