1st May 1992
Ian Osborne doesn't like the cold. His mum won't let him out without his hat and coat (even in July!), so we let him play Winter Super Sports by the fire. Sadly, though, his eyeballs didn't melt as expected!
Winter Super Sports
Winter Olympiads... they're barmy beggars, aren't they?! Prancing around in the freezing cold, risking life and limb and not even getting paid for it! Can you imagine the Zzap team doing it? Imagine fatty Phil attempting to jump hay bales, or Corky 'Clumsy' Casswell trying to ski! Luckily, you can't break your legs on the computer version (unless you disturb Steve while he's playing), so I for one am glad Flair have given us the chance to go on the piste painlessly (if a little wobbly!)
Winter Super Sports features eight events covering six loads. Up to six people can play in competition mode, the computer making up an odd number, or you can play a single player challenge, playing each event in turn. If competition is selected you choose which event to play, and can repeat it as often as you wish when completed.
Downhill
The first event on offer is the downhill ski race: a straightforward speed trial zig-zagging down a tight slope avoiding marker posts, trees and various pieces of flotsam and jetsam scattered around the edges of the course (knees together, now).
When you crash you can move back on the track before restarting, so if you come a serious cropper you won't find yourself automatically falling again as you struggle to get back on the right track. And crash you will - although reasonably easy to master on novice level, the expert option is faster, tighter and much less forgiving.
Skidoo
Now here's a weird one - Skidoo has you racing around a maze-like track Super Sprint style, except you only see a small portion of the course at any one time [Nothing like Super Sprint whatsoever, then! - Ed]. Unlike Downhill, competitors play two at a time on a split screen - make sure you're watching the correct side!
Not as instantly addictive as some of the others, but fun when you get into it.
Ski Challenge
Similar to downhill, but this time a two-player head to head. Acceleration is difficult and collision is impossible, but you can slow down if in trouble. If you crash, you can join in again, but time penalties are added at the end.
The acceleration control takes a bit of getting used to - find your live, pull the joystick down to crouch and speed up, release it to steer again - but it's very playable, and certainly enhances that 'on the piste' atmosphere (hic!).
Slalom
No prizes for guessing what's on offer here! Ski your way down the winding course weaving in and out of the marker posts - there's no penalty for crashing, but time *is* added on if you miss a gate.
Slalom is definitely not a pushover - you'll be amazed how many times you choose the wrong route, or realise your mistake too late and smash into the pole. Blimmin' addictive though - you have to have just one more go to get down that little bit faster.
Luge
Another weird one; a sort of one-man bobsleigh event where some suicidal prat slides down the toboggan course on a tea tray!
The track is 'U' shaped in cross-section, and twists and turns like an epileptic boa constrictor - hold that line down the centre for maximum speed, climb too high on the walls and you'll crash! No reprieve this time - come a cropper in the Luge and it's early (blood)bath time!
Bob Sleigh
Similar to the Luge but the larger, faster vehicle provides a completely different challenge [No it doesn't, it's just slightly more difficult! - Ed]. The course is straighter, but don't let this fool you - momentum carries the heavier two-man bob higher up the walls, so you'll need all your wits about you if you're to finish without all your bits about you.
Speed Skating
Another head-to-head, this time waggle the joystick left to right to build up speed.
Make no mistake, this is not your ordinary, everyday waggler - Speed Skating is a genuine test of skill, not a measure of how fast you can move your wrist. Waggle too furiously and you'll just gey a sore arm! Thankfully, you can't crash, so precise waggling's your only worry.
Bale Jumping
Ball jumping? Isn't that what Ronnie Biggs did? Oh alright, so my spelling's crap...
Bale Jumping is a similar event to speed skating, but this time some barmy farmer has scattered a few dozen hay bales along the course! Not only must you waggle away to hold top speed, you also need to jump over the obstacles. Unfortunately, hitting a ball doesn't result in your sliding across the ice on your backside, you just lose speed - this is even true on expert level!
Niggling aside, both skating events are well drawn and give a real feeling of speed.
Ignoring Corky's gripes, I reckon Winter Super Sports is a very good game. It's great to see a multi-event opus that features so many different game styles, not just one routine with different graphics. There's something for everyone here, and its well thought out learning curve and marked difference between 'novice' and 'expert' levels mean you'll be coming back to it for some time to come. This game is miles more fun with a friend or two (or three or four) but even on your own it's a gas. Besides, you've got to keep practising - you wouldn't want that grubby little herbert from next door beating you on your favourite event now, would you? 82%
Corky
It this game has been released in an effort to jump aboard the Winter Olympic bandwagon, it has missed the boat by a mile (and probably landed in the water).
I've been in the journo field a long time (dodging the bull is the hardest part), and am sad to say I've seen better than this - even on budget labels. Gameplay is one of the main moans I have against it: I'm a pretty amiable chap but I nearly resorted to the old 'C64 takes a free flying lesson' trick.
As it was, I tried the less violent 'strong cuppa coffee and matchsticks' ploy. But even then I was frustrated by the multi-load (every event is loaded separately), and the vomit-inducing graphics. The character sprites are horribly deformed, while the backdrops look like a liquid laugh after a night on the pop.
I'm sorry Flair, but Winter Super Sports just left me cold. 62%
Verdict
Presentation 80%
Nice title screen with comprehensive options.
Graphics 67%
Nothing to write home about but very functional.
Sound 67%
Minimalistic, bland - about on par with the graphics!
Hookability 80%
Easy to get into but really difficult to put down.
Lastability 85%
Get bored playing alone? Thrash your mates then.
Overall 72%
Screenshots
