Descpription:
In the original arcade game, the player uses two
"run" buttons (or a trackball in some early units) and one "action"
button to control an athlete competing in following six events:
100 Meter Dash – Running by quickly alternating button presses. Long jump – Running by alternating button press and correct timing
for jump. Hold jump button to set angle. Javelin throw – Running (speed set by computer) and then using action
button correct timing for angle (~42 degrees is optimal). 110m Hurdles – Running by alternating button presses and using action button to time hurdles Hammer throw – Spinning initiated by pressing a run button once and
then correctly timed press of action button to choose angle (45 is optimal). High jump– Running (speed set by computer) and then action button
must be held down to determine angle of jump. Once in the air, the run
button can be rapidly pressed for additional height.
In each event, there is a qualifying time or level that the player must
achieve to advance to the next event; failing to qualify (in one heat for
running events or three tries in the other events) ends the game.
The game can accommodate up to four players, who compete in pairs for the
running events, and individually for the others. If there are fewer than
four players, the remaining slots are played by the computer (or player "CPU").
In all multiplayer heats, though, the relative performance of the players
has no effect on the game, and advancing is based solely on qualifying times.
If a player completes all six events, after a brief medal ceremony he
is sent back to the field for another round, with higher qualifying levels.
