Classic Games Database
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Olympic Summer Games

Review

Compete in 10 athletic events, from sprints to field events, in this official 1996 Olympics title.

Olympic Summer Games was released for the Game Boy in 1996, published by Black Pearl Software and developed by Tiertex. This is the earliest commercial release of this exact Game Boy version, and no earlier release of the original game on any platform is known.


							Olympic Summer Games cover
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About Olympic Summer Games

Olympic Summer Games is the official 1996 Atlanta Olympics title for the Game Boy, representing the final IOC licensed release on the platform. It functions as a button mashing sports compilation where up to eight players can participate, either in specific events or a full Olympic competition. The game features thirty two national teams and ten distinct athletic disciplines.

Events are grouped into categories with shared control schemes. Sprinting and hurdling demand rapid, repeated button presses in a straight race format, while jumping and throwing events combine a running buildup with precise timing for the release or leap. These field events often involve multiple attempts, with the top performers advancing to further rounds. The shooting events, archery and skeet, introduce different considerations like wind calculation and tracking moving targets.

A three tier difficulty system accommodates players of varying skill, making the experience fair for newcomers but challenging for those seeking top scores. Multiplayer is supported, with head to head competition available in the running events and broader participation possible across the game. The structure of each event follows authentic Olympic rules, such as elimination after three consecutive failures in the high jump.

Olympic Summer Games Screenshots

12 images
Title screen
Title screen (Super Game Boy)
Main menu
Enter your name
The opening ceremonies.
First event: The 100m
On your mark, get set, GO!
The heat 1 results.
The medal table.
Next event: Hurdles
Jumping a hurdle.
Next: The pole vault