Previous Next

Remember the arcade game in which you punch away at two keys on the console to make a little man on the screen compete in various sporting events? Because of its striking originality, it proved to be a big success. Predictably, it was rapidly copied by software houses and lots of clones were marketed for home micros. All this happened quite a while back but I was still pleased to get a version of the game for the BBC to review.

On booting the disc, you are asked whether you want to play with a joystick or the keyboard, then you're ready to show your muscles to the world and compete.

In the running events, it's just a matter of waggling the joystick left and right or smashing two keys (which you select yourself) alternately as quickly as you can. In fact, all the other events are based on this idea as well except you use the world and compete.

In the running events, it's just a matter of waggling the joystick left and right or smashing two keys (which you select yourself) alternatively as quickly as you can. In fact, all the other events are based on this idea as well except you use the fire button (or another key) to make your figure throw a ball, a javelin, or jump.

Although there was quite a bit of flicker at times, I liked the Mode 1 graphics. The characters are nicely depicted and the animation was rather good too: sound effects were a bit simple but effective. Perhaps I've seen this type of game too often as I found it rather dull. If you are a closet athlete, however, splash out and but it as you won't find a better version on the Beeb.