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OLYMPIC GOLD (SMD)
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Publisher: U.S. Gold.
Developer: Tiertex Design Studios. Released: 1992. Genre: Athletics. Other versions: SMS; GG. Posted 26th July 2024. By Tom Clare © 2024 |
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The first official Olympic-branded video game to release in the West, U.S. Gold’s tie-in to the 1992 Barcelona games would prove a coup for SEGA. Securing exclusivity of the license’s use across their 8-bit and 16-bit systems reflected a notable step in acknowledging the burgeoning sports market. Olympic Gold promises a dazzling show, splashing sponsors galore across its start-up screen, celebrating all previous hosts of the modern Olympics via a snazzy geographical history lesson, and building a sense of anticipation by kicking things off with the ceremonial lighting of the torch.
For all the pomp, however, it’s a pretty disappointing game. The Olympics is meant to be exciting, but Tiertex’s effort more often than not feels workmanlike and a bit dull. The first 16-bit game based on the summer games, it’s perhaps understandable that Olympic Gold aims for a varied and eye-catching array of events. Nevertheless, the seven on show make for a peculiar, ill-fitting mix. They lack cohesion and consistency: some are simplistic to the point of forgettable, whilst others are so complicated it takes an age to work out how to play them. Control responses are also a touch sluggish. This isn’t a winning balance when things should be geared to multiplayer accessibility.
The 100m sprint is the flagship event, but a lack of concurrent multiplayer spoils the fun
Beginning with the two most orthodox events, the 100m sprint and the 110m hurdles, there’s a clear focus on large sprites and colourful surroundings, with sprinting emblematic of the games as a whole. Both events provide reasonable entertainment through simple, button-bashing gameplay, though similar-looking sprites and unimaginative, unexciting stadium design mean Olympic Gold struggles to excite. It’s here the game’s biggest disappointment, a lack of simultaneous multiplayer, is most keenly felt. Four players can pass around two controllers but must alternate, repeating events against computer opponents. This robs the experience of a lot of competitive energy, the thrill of racing friends to the line. At least the sprint races last only around ten seconds: four players tackling archery and diving, each comprising multiple rounds, takes forever and it’s easy to lose interest if you have a bad sequence.
I didn’t include the pole vault in this problem, only because it’s nearly impossible to believe anyone popping over for a social game will be able to pick up the mechanics, and then master the timing needed to prolong the competition beyond the initial three attempts. This is Olympic Gold at its worst: its inadequate manual provides inconsistent and sometimes useless advice on how to play the trickier events. It’s not all doom and gloom for the field events, though. The hammer throw is better, relying on a mix of button-mashing and timing the release. The frantic animation looks rather comical, but the event as a whole functions fairly well. It’s a shame, however, that so many iconic field events, such as the long jump and the javelin, are not represented.
I didn’t include the pole vault in this problem, only because it’s nearly impossible to believe anyone popping over for a social game will be able to pick up the mechanics, and then master the timing needed to prolong the competition beyond the initial three attempts. This is Olympic Gold at its worst: its inadequate manual provides inconsistent and sometimes useless advice on how to play the trickier events. It’s not all doom and gloom for the field events, though. The hammer throw is better, relying on a mix of button-mashing and timing the release. The frantic animation looks rather comical, but the event as a whole functions fairly well. It’s a shame, however, that so many iconic field events, such as the long jump and the javelin, are not represented.
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Two aquatic events offer something different, with the 200m freestyle about as dynamic-looking as the game gets as the player creates a rhythm on their strokes to save energy early on, and pressing ‘C’ to turn at the end of each length. This discipline is okay, but more tiring than exciting, with the lack of simultaneous multiplayer again reducing the fun. The 3m diving is one of the most technical events in the game, and though it’s tricky to register consistently competitive scores, the array of moves is admirable. The player must make four dives, the difficulty and scoring possibilities being customisable via factors such as starting position, twists and rotations. The icon-led nature seems a little daunting at first, and performing dives to match your predesignated choices takes practice. Nevertheless, it’s a credible attempt to ape a sport that had almost no representation in gaming at the time.
This leaves archery. It’s likely not what you had in mind when you bought an Olympics video game but, from the point of view of social fun, it’s probably the most absorbing part of the package. Judging the wind, drawing the bow, and timing its release. It isn’t perfect, with gaudy, lacklustre-looking surroundings and competitors with aims so shaky, you’d think they’d been partying rather than training. With three rounds of six arrows each, however, it’s one of those ideal back-and-forth events, where one player can lead, be overtaken, and still make a comeback.
This leaves archery. It’s likely not what you had in mind when you bought an Olympics video game but, from the point of view of social fun, it’s probably the most absorbing part of the package. Judging the wind, drawing the bow, and timing its release. It isn’t perfect, with gaudy, lacklustre-looking surroundings and competitors with aims so shaky, you’d think they’d been partying rather than training. With three rounds of six arrows each, however, it’s one of those ideal back-and-forth events, where one player can lead, be overtaken, and still make a comeback.
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Archery is one of the more enjoyable events, and the hammer should please fans of button-mashing
You’ll win some events with ease, whilst barely registering a score in others, meaning that when the rather half-hearted fireworks fly at the game’s conclusion, it’s likely you’ll be feeling a little flat. The game modes are disappointingly unadventurous, with Training and Mini Olympics serving similar purposes, the latter mimicking the main Olympics mode entirely, save for the player being able to veto events they’d rather skip. There is the odd nice touch though, including some satisfyingly huge attract shots of your medals, and should you win a gold, you’ll even be treated to a brief blast of your chosen competitor’s national anthem.
There are three difficulty settings should you wish to make a tough game even tougher, but with lacklustre controls, uninspired presentation and an unbalanced collection of events, Olympic Gold is dull on your own and disappointing with friends. Track & Field on the NES did everything better, years earlier, and despite superior technology, it’s difficult to build a case for Tiertex’s effort having moved the genre forward in any meaningful way. A momentous sporting occasion, captured in a largely forgettable athletics game.
There are three difficulty settings should you wish to make a tough game even tougher, but with lacklustre controls, uninspired presentation and an unbalanced collection of events, Olympic Gold is dull on your own and disappointing with friends. Track & Field on the NES did everything better, years earlier, and despite superior technology, it’s difficult to build a case for Tiertex’s effort having moved the genre forward in any meaningful way. A momentous sporting occasion, captured in a largely forgettable athletics game.
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VERDICT
"It’s difficult to build a case for Tiertex’s effort having moved the genre forward in any meaningful way. A momentous sporting occasion, captured in a largely forgettable athletics game." OVERALL: 5/10 |
OTHER GAMES WITH BUTTON-MASHING ATHLETICS EVENTS REVIEWED
Track & Field (1987, NES)
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Bishi Bashi Special 3: Step Champ (2000, PlayStation)
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