C&VG


Decathlon
By Activision
MSX

 
Published in Computer & Video Games #37

Decathlon

Decathlon is the MSX version of Activision's latest hit of the same name for the Commodore 64. In this game, players can compete in all ten events of the decathlon, scoring points exactly as you would in the Olympics. Up to four players can participate, but when playing alone you must face the might of a computer-controlled decathlete. With each event you accumulate scores and the one with the highest cumulative score wins the gold medal.

In one games cassette, Activision has crammed all ten events, starting with 100 metres, then long jump, shot put, high jump, 400m, 110m hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1500m.

To go through the entire list of events one after another is gruelling, as bashing away at your joystick or cursor keys is quite exhausting.

Graphically, this game is almost exactly the same as the Commodore 64's version. Since the C64's version is doing very well in the current software charts, most of you must think it's OK. However, having reviewed Konami's Track & Field, I am afraid this game is not good enough.

Overall, this game offers a lot for just one cassette but is spoilt by not utilising the MSX's graphics and sound capability to the full.