The torch is lit. Let's talk about Olympic games.

[Pantechnicon]

What are some good classic Olympic-themed game titles? There's no better time than the middle of the 20th Winter Games to start this topic.

I popped Epyx's Winter Games into the trusty Atari 2600 last night and played around a bit on the slalom run. That was pretty fun. And today I found a couple possibly entertaining looking Genesis titles: Olympic Gold and Olympic Summer Games. Olympic Summer Games looks really great as the gameplay is all in isometric perspective.

Normally I have an aversion to sports games so I'm a little surprised at myself for enjoying these as much as I am. The modern Madden/EA type stuff has little appeal to me when gameplay reaches the level where you have to apparently decide things like what color of towels you're going to stock in the visiting players' locker room. What's nice about these Olympic titles is that they are essentially collections of mini-games. If you're not good at one you can try to succeed at another one. It's nice to have some variety.

So what are your picks for fun classic-console Olympic titles? I'd like to hear both Winter and Summer suggestions.

[Flack]

Well I agree with the title but not the platform. For Summer Games, Summer Games II, and Winter Games, you've got to go with the Commodore 64 (at least). The graphics and sound are miles ahead of the 2600 version, and a lot more fun IMHO.

Also available for the C64 was "The Games: Summer Edition" and "The Games: Winter Edition". Both had good graphics and were pretty fun.

For MAME, you've got to play Track and Field. Javelin, Pole Jump and High Jump were my favorite events.

Although I haven't tried it yet, the 2006 Winter Games have their own official video game.

[Jibbajaba]

I personally enjoy the US Gold releases on Genesis. Olympic Winter Games: Lillehammer '94 and Olympic Gold, Barcelona '92.

There are olympic titles on PS2 (Athens 2004 and Torino 2006.) I have been thinking about picking up the Athens title because it must be dirt cheap by now, but I think I will boycott the Torino title due to a lack of people of color. (Right, Bryant?)

The older olympic games are fun if you have the Track and Field controller:



which is compatible with the Atari and C64, and with the Apple II by using an adapter. Activision Decathalon is fun this way. I have a Winter Games program for the VCS but I don't think I have played it. Guess I should check it out tonight.

Chris

[Haoie]

I'm sure Nagano [98] had a game on the PS.

I'm unsure about Atlanta.

[InsaneDavid]

Don't tell me you didn't read this month's issue of Retrogaming Times Monthly! In addition to many of the reoccuring columns many of us contributed winter sports themed articles.

Click here to go to RTM issue #21.

[jajaja]

The last olymic game I bought was Atlanta 96. I remember I couldnt get it to work on my 486 dx2 66mhz, needed minimum 486 dx4 100mhz hehe.

The best game I've played in this category must be Winter Challenge for DOS, made by Accolade in 92. It might not be an official olympic game, but this game is damn entertaining and bring back alot of good memories

[Pantechnicon]

Don't tell me you didn't read this month's issue of Retrogaming Times Monthly! In addition to many of the reoccuring columns many of us contributed winter sports themed articles.

Click here to go to RTM issue #21.

Excellent write-up. Thanks!

[boatofcar]

I enjoy Track and Field on MAME, although I am so used to playing it on the Atari 800, I had to switch the controls from from the 2 buttons to waggling the joystick left and right. Still can't beat the high jump.

As far as winter games go, Slalom for the NES is as good as it gets for me. Haven't played any Winter Games titles, though, only Ski or Die...


Does California Games count? I love that, although the VCS has the best version of bmx bike racing, imo. The speed you can get is incredible!



\m/

[Mr.FoodMonster]

I liked Nagano on the N64 back when I rented it, but I haven't touched it since way back then. Also, the Salt Lake 2002 GBA game was fun from what I played of it on a buddies GBA. I didn't have one at the time, but now that I do I've not seen it around.

[InsaneDavid]

Honestly if you want the best winter sports gaming experence you need to go to an arcade and play one of the Alpine Racer games.

[Lothars]

Don't tell me you didn't read this month's issue of Retrogaming Times Monthly! In addition to many of the reoccuring columns many of us contributed winter sports themed articles.

Click here to go to RTM issue #21.

that is a great issue, I've never really knew about it
it was a great read
Thanks for the link

[Flack]

I forgot the game that got banned from my house: Microsoft's Decathlon. Imagine Track and Field, but with stick people. It came out pre-joystick, so to run it's hitting 2 keys on your keyboard. The Apple version supported 4 players, so I had kids from all over neighborhood over, banging away on my father's keyboard. When he saw (or rather heard!) what we were doing he pulled the disk out of the drive and crumpled it up. Meanie!

http://www.the-underdogs.org/game.php?id=717

[InsaneDavid]

Don't tell me you didn't read this month's issue of Retrogaming Times Monthly! In addition to many of the reoccuring columns many of us contributed winter sports themed articles.

Click here to go to RTM issue #21.

that is a great issue, I've never really knew about it
it was a great read
Thanks for the link

No problem at all, be sure to check out the other issues of RTM and the 80+ issues of the original Retrogaming Times! An issue of RT was something I always looked forward to and when it came to a close RTM picked up the torch and continued to run with it. It's an absolute privlage to be able to contribute to RTM.

[Pantechnicon]

I forgot the game that got banned from my house: Microsoft's Decathlon. Imagine Track and Field, but with stick people. It came out pre-joystick, so to run it's hitting 2 keys on your keyboard. The Apple version supported 4 players, so I had kids from all over neighborhood over, banging away on my father's keyboard. When he saw (or rather heard!) what we were doing he pulled the disk out of the drive and crumpled it up. Meanie!

http://www.the-underdogs.org/game.php?id=717

I remember this one, actually. I never had an Apple ][, but the Computerland near my house had a demo set up and Decathlon was always running on it. That game was my 1st exposure to the entire Olympic musical theme beyond the first few bars (and in splendid Apple ][ 2-bit audio glory). I particularly remember enjoying the hammer throw event.

[sisko]

Ham-Ham Games for the GBA.

So its really not an "Olympic" game, but it is Olympic style with Hamtaro goodness. The minigames are actually put together quite well, and it gets incredibly difficult.

[Nz17]

Video Olympics / Pong Sports for Atari VCS / 2600.
Mario & Sonic series for Nintendo consoles (winter & summer Olympics).

[Gametrek]

Videogames that are Olympic base are not all that. The only one that did anything for me is probably the NES game where you have to use the mat. The Sega Saturn had one ( which I sadly own ) and while playable I say meh. It looks good on a first glance. I find it is a stupid idea to create an expansion the NES and market some Olympic based mascot.

People think the Olympics are great but in reality it is what the people practice ( like Gymastics. ) Have you seen a sixty year old stand on his hands. Well I have a photo of that. He is probably healther then me. Then the sad reality is many people ( like anybody ) do not have a clear goal in life and the Olympics is that one thing they do have. After that is nothing.

I have nothing against sports majors at all. I find those Olympic games ( non interactive ) ones not to be the thrill of the real deal.