TRACK AND FIELD ARCADE VIDEO GAME

 

TRACK & FIELD ARCADE VIDEO GAME
Track & Field is an arcade game with an Olympic theme. The game was released in 1983 by Konami. In Japan the game is called “Hyper Olympic”.

How To Play The Game

In the original arcade game, the player uses two (2) "run" buttons and one (1) "action" button to control an athlete competing in following six (6) events:

100 Meter Dash – Running – The Player quickly alternates button presses.
Long Jump – Running – The Player alternates button presses and correct timing for jump and holds jump button to set angle.
Javelin Throw - Running – The Player alternates button presses and then using action button corrects timing for angle (~42 degrees is optimal).
110 Meter Hurdles – Running – The Player alternates button presses and uses action button to time hurdles
Hammer Throw - Spinning is initiated by pressing a run button once, and then a correctly timed press of action button to choose angle (45 is optimal).
High Jump - Running – The speed set by the computer and then the 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.

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.

Up to four (4) players can play at the same time. Each player will compete in pairs for the running events, and individually for the others. If there are fewer than four (4) 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. While most multiplayer arcade games had each set of controls relative to the players going from left to right, this game (which has two (2) sets of controls) had a somewhat different setup. The left set of controls were for players 2 and 4, while the right set was for players 1 and 3. This is one of the few classic arcade games where single player mode was played on the right set of controls rather than the left. If a player completes all six (6) events after a brief medal ceremony, he or she is sent back to the field for another round, with higher qualifying levels.

Easter eggs

100m Dash and 110m Hurdles: If both players finish with the same time, Tutankham, the main character from the Konami game, will run across the top of the playfield screen and a 1000 point bonus is awarded.
110 Meter Hurdles Trick: Player 1 plays normally, while player 2 ensures a 100 seconds plus time (use a stopwatch and time 1:40) if you finish slightly over 100 seconds, you'll record a physically impossible time, such as under a second.
Long Jump: If you make three jumps of exactly the same length, a man with a key will run across the screen and a 1000 point bonus is awarded.
Javelin: Throw the javelin off the top of the screen and you will hit a bird or lamp which falls to the ground. A 1000 point bonus is awarded. The full angle button press should be used (press and hold jump/throw button).
High Jump: Fail on your first two attempts, then qualify using your last remaining attempt. A mole will pop up out of the ground and a 1000 point bonus is awarded.
Hammer Throw: A throw of 99.99 meters is possible with full speed and 45 degree angle at either zone limit (note passing the limit zone is a foul and will hit someone in the audience). If you throw perfectly, you'll throw greater than 99.99 and thus a foul will be recorded.