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SCENE
GENRE
GRAPHICS
SOUND
PLAYABILITY
VALUE
OPINION



REVIEW INDEX

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INTERNATIONAL TRACK AND FIELD

Developer

Options

Distributer

Konami

1-4 Players

Game Type

Sports Sim

Mem. Card

Review Date

July 1996

Multi-tap

Setting the Scene

Welcome to International Track & Field! If you've ever wanted to feel like you just ran the hundred meters with your fingers look no further!

Genre

Konami's new track & field game offers you the opportunity to compete in eleven events. These events are the 100 meter dash, the hurdles, shotput, javelin, swimming, hammer throw, high jump, pole vault, discus, long jump and the triple jump. Each event is accomplished by hammering away at your poor undeserving joypad. Talk about a workout! I've got blisters on my fingers... You can also choose from multiple countries.

Graphics

The graphics are awesome! Picture Tekken style characters with sports outfits on and you begin to get the idea. Movement is extremely smooth and realistic. Everything just seems to flow along nicely. Multiple camera angles are used to really get you into the game and instant replays are used for the best attempt at each event. I would have to say that the polygon characters and backgrounds are some of the best of have seen yet in a game. My one big complaint is this, there is only a maximum of four players on the screen at one time. What happened to the other four players that usually compete in the track events? Very strange.

Sounds and Effects

The sound effects are perfect for this type of game. The announcers voice, starting gunshots, footsteps as you run, the buzzers to start a jump are all nicely reproduced and integrated nicely into this package. The music is okay and appropriate for this style of game but does tend to get a bit redundant after a while.

Playability

Well now, this is kind of a two sided coin. When playing against the computer, there is little to no challenge in this game and gets boring very quickly. The real fun enters when you have a friend or three over and start to compete against each other in the events. I was also a little disappointed in the events. I would liked to have seen a few more events included such as archery, weightlifting and the 400 meter to name a few... I guess you can't have everything. The difficultly in getting off a good pole vault or hammer throw does provide a bit of a learning curve in the beginning but is easily mastered. Without at least one other player around, I'm afraid this game may sit on the shelf and collect dust. There are some funny little things thrown in to show that Konami doesn't take the game too seriously... Even spear a UFO with a javelin? Ever trip over a gopher trying to make a long jump? You get the picture.

Value for Money

Excellent Graphics. Finger Smashing good fun with a friend. No fun against the computer. Where's the other four track stars? You may want to rent before buying.

Opinion

MARTIN

GRAPHICS:

Good

A good solid Track & Field game from Konami. And yet, there it sits on my shelf waiting for a friend to arrive...

SOUND:

Average

PLAYABILITY:

Good

VALUE:

Good

OVERALL
7/10

JIM

GRAPHICS:

Good

Pretty poor as a single player game, but great when played with friends.

SOUND:

Average

PLAYABILITY:

Brilliant

VALUE:

Good

OVERALL
8/10

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