Producer: Database Publications
Memory Required: 48K
Retail Price:
Language: Machine code

Database are the publishers of Micro User, the BBC Micro users magazine, and this program is a successful translation from their Beeb version, and their first excursion into Spectrum territory. Olympics year seems to have resulted in a wetter of track sporting simulations of the interactive sod, CRL did an Olympics program, even Automata put the Piman through the wringer. There's Stickman Olympics from Avalon and Athlete by Buffer Micro. All of them have been aiming at the popular arcade version which has the player thumping hell out of the machine (usually cracking the front glass in frustration after losing!), but this is the one that really matches up, and deserves a good placing beside Psion's Match Point.

There are eleven events to be entered into from the main menu, five of which come under one key press for running events. These include the 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1,500 metres. The three throwing events are Javelin, Discus and Hammer; and then there's the long and high jump and the pole vault. In each event you can compare your result with current world records.

Each event takes place against the computer with the computer (ME) going first and you (YOU) going second, although in the running events you compete simultaneously of course. Most events require the use of three keys, all of which can be user-defined at the start of each event. Running is accomplished, as in the arcade version, by hitting a left and right key as fast as possible. There is a book on Spectrum programming written specially for very young children which in its first chapter tells the child how to take care of the computer, pointing out that thumping the keys, the way those silly games players do, is bound to ruin 'Spectrum'. Needless to say, Micro Olympics is Database's subversive way of attempting to destroy everyone's Spectrum so you'll go out and buy a Beeb next time around!

COMMENTS

Control keys: user-definable
Joystick: no option but most key mapped protocols can be used via UDK
Keyboard play: responsive if not violent
Use of colour: very good
Graphics: large and very well animated characters with multiple colouring used
Sound: not much, but the applause works very well, although chopped off at the end like some Monty Python effect!
Skill levels: 1
Screens: 7
Originality: a good version of the arcade game

This is the best of the athletic type games I have seen. It's got more realism than the rest and is generally more fun. But I would like to point out that the Sinclair ZX Spectrum keyboard was not designed for rapid finger movements. Therefore I suggest that a joystick should be used - no option however, so the joystick interface must be programmable and preferably one with two independent fire buttons as these would be better than actually thrashing the joystick to death! Another point is that in true sporting style you must finish any event you start. This resulted in a lengthy key bash for the 1500 metres. Generally a good game but not designed for keyboard play.

This game is an adaptation of Track & Field, the well-known arcade game, the one where you must push and pull the joystick as hard as you can. Not surprisingly, these machines have a short existence! I found a joystick a lot easier to use with the definable keys (mine was set to Protek protocol). You really do have to move the joystick fast to get your man moving well - don't go in for the 1500 metres - you've been warned! The graphics are good and work well in most cases. The sound is good, with the crowd cheering even after a no-throw. I was a bit disappointed there was no twoplayer option, but a nice feature is when you throw the hammer or discus and release it at the wrong moment - the screen goes blank and cracked in the middle and says your picture will be returned as soon as possible.

So far none of the Olympics games brought out for the Spectrum have been really worthwhile playing and were not very interactive with the player. But this version, very similar to Track & Field, should provide amusement for quite a while. The only reason forgiving up might be a tired keyboard or wrist. Graphics are very well animated and colourd, general colour and sound has been put to good use. Your computer opponent is pretty good, but he can be beaten.

Alternative
£1.99

Oh dear. Oh dear oh dear oh dear. I thought Tomb Of Syrinx was bad, but this beats it hands down. Olympic Spectacular is a Decathlon-type collection of eleven track and field events that turns out, gasp horror, to be a reissue of Database's Micro Olympics, a whiskery old sportsim which wowed your gran back in the 1890's. Granted, there are eleven events, but all are substandard. The game is keys only, so there's no joystick waggling to liven things up. Oh, and the 'instructions' are supposed to be on the screen. NO THEY'RE NOT.

On all the throwing bits, you're given the numbers 1 to 4, and nowt else. After fruitlessly fiddling about with the keyboard, I eventually worked out that by pressing these buttons, the figure (if you can call him that) moved a bit and then threw his implement about eight feet. (All the throwing events were exactly the same.)

Next, the races. Here the computer doesn't follow your runner, but its own. I found and over again that my little man quickly disappeared off the screen, never to be seen again. (Good job it wasn't the hurdles - we're joyfully spared this.)

Yes, it's just awful. Highlights for me included choosing the keys and switching it off. I can see why they changed the name - in an Olympic race, it's a non-runner.

Use of Computer: 79%
Graphics: 76%
Playability: 78%
Getting Started: 79%
Addictive Qualities: 74%
Value for Money: 75%
Overall: 77%

Micro Olympics is an adaptation of the well known arcade game, 'Track and Field'. There are 11 events to choose from, 5 running events, which include 100, 200,400, 800 and 1500 metres, 3 throwing events, javelin, discus and hammer and 3 jumping events, long jump, high jump and pole vault.

The running events are controlled in the usual manner, by waggling the joystick left to right. In each running event you compete against the computer and the clock. Most of the events require three keys to be defined before starting. The computer goes first on all the field events to show how it is done, you then take part to see if you can beat the computer and create a new world record.

Micro Olympics was the first good 'Track and Field' game on the Spectrum, all the previous efforts seem to feature boring little stick men as the main characters. The graphics are quite poor but they do serve their purpose. Sound is also poor but colour is used quite well. The game has a few nice features, try releasing the hammer or discus at the wrong moment. If you like Track and Field' games it is not really worth getting Micro Olympics now because it is very dated.
RC

When Micro Olympics was first released we hadn't been treated to the wonders of the track-and-field-destroy-your-keyboard type games before and this was quite novel. For its time it was a pretty decent game, the graphics were well above average and the animation was quite good. If Micro Olympics was released now I fear it would get a hostile reception from the reviewers because it looks very tacky when compared against today's cream of the games, although the colour is quite well used. This is certainly not addictive because it doesn't have a proper scoring system like Daley's Decathlon so there are no goals to aim for. The playability isn't too bad but the game soon loses its appeal. Overall a pretty run-of-the-mill me by todays standards.
LM

(Rob) Most of the ratings should go down by about 10% or more except perhaps the Getting Started and Use of Computer. Overall Micro Olympics is quite dated now but for its time it was very good.

(Lloyd) I'm afraid I have to agree with Rob for once (is this the end of an era?) Micro Olympics is no longer worth forking out for.

Label: Alternative
Author: Database
Price: £1.99
Memory: 48K/128K
Joystick: Keyboard only
Reviewer: Tony Dillon

I'm sorry. I can't keep it to myself any longer. Brace yourself for a shock. Are you ready? I am a... BUDGET FAN!!! I LIKE budget games! I put up a fight whenever any so-called 'friends' say anything against my treasured collection. It's a problem indeed.

But I think I've found a cure for my social blight. Olympic Spectacular. Quick, load it up. 'BEEEE-DIT-BEEE '(followed by strange beeping static noises). Hang on a mo, what's this on the long screen? Micro Olympics? That can't be right. 1984,!? Well, it's loaded. Lets take a look at it. Aaargh! It's terrible!!! Eleven events and all practically the same. Five running events, three throwing events and all practically the same. Help!!!

And it is the Database title, released years ago, and not much cop then. The label says Alternative. The game says 'seen it all before'. Don't even think about buying it.

MACHINE: Spectrum 48K
CONTROL: Keys
FROM: Database, £5.95

I'm tired, so tired, it was the 1500 metres that did for me, coming after all those other exhausting events. Let's face it, I'm no Daley Thompson.

It all started in the 100 metres - my best event. I had high hopes of a gold medal. But it's really a rather frustrating experience racing against a computer which 'In all cases... achieves the current world record'.

Still, when the starting pistol or beep sounded I pounded away at the keys to move my legs. But to no avail. As hard and as fast as I pressed, my little legs would not carry me quickly enough. The computer recorded a time of under 10 seconds while I breasted the tape in a pathetic 14.5. Disheartening, very disheartening.

Better luck in one of the field events perhaps? No. Even more humiliating. In the Pole Vault the computer ran along, lowered its pole and effortlessly sailed over the bar. Me, I couldn't even get off the ground. But I do have an excuse - it's not very clear just when you should lower your pole. Try doing it at the same moment as the computer chooses and you'll get told off.

In fact, all the field events suffer from a difficulty in knowing how to control the figure on screen. I must have recorded the shortest distances in Olympic history at javelin, hammer and discus.

But back to the track for the metric mile. What a disaster. The world record for this event stands at 210 seconds, I recorded 578.36.

Imagine the agony of having to press two keys for nine and a half minutes. Bad on the hands and bad on the Spectrum's far from robust keyboard.

The animation in this micro version of the arcade-game Track and Field is excellent, with your athlete's arms and legs pumping convincingly.

The screen backgrounds are a little dull and the sound is no great shakes but as long as you don't try to run a marathon - or even 1500 metres - you will have a lot of fun.