DESCRIPTION

Although released three years before the 1988 Winter Olympics, Winter Games' setting is that of 1988's games in Calgary. Following the lead set by Summer Games, one to as many as eight players can take part in these games. After choosing the number of players each player will be allowed to enter their name and choose a country to represent (at which time you can also listen to the selected country's national anthem). Modes of play allow users to compete in all of the events, some of the events, only one event, or practice one event.

When competing in multiple events the number of each medal won for each player will be kept track of. Every medal has a point value and at the end of the games the player with the most points will be the winner. Also, the game will announce when a world record has been set and save that players name in the high scores table until another player breaks it. The six events included in Winter Games are: Figure Skating, Speed Skating, Hot Dog Aerials, Ski Jump, Biathlon, and Bobsled.

Figure skating is one minute in length and requires players to perform seven moves: Camel Spin, Sit Spin, Double Axel Jump, Triple Axel Jump, Double Lutz Jump, and Camel into Sit Spin. They can be performed in any order and the score will be based on when the fire button is pressed in relation to the skater's form at that time. Points will be deducted for falling down and awkward movements. Aside from the one minute program players can also do a free skate where they attempt to perform each of the seven moves three times.

Speed skating is all about rhythm and speed. As the skater moves around the track the user must move the joystick left and right in accordance to the on-screen movement of the skater's legs. With each accurate movement the skater can increase in speed but if the joystick movements are off the skater will slow down.

The hot dog aerials event places the Olympian in skis on a cliff. They then leap off of the small cliff and perform tricks on their way to sticking a good landing. Tricks that can be performed include: Daffy, Back Scratch, Back Flip, Forward Flip, Mule Kick, and Swan. Scores are based on style and difficulty with the highest possible score being a 10.

While on the ski jump players will build up speed as they approach the takeoff position. At the bottom of the ramp a timely button press will send the skier soaring through the air. When in the air balance will have to be maintained as style points will be rewarded. Total score will be based on both style and distance traveled.

Biathlon is a mix of skiing and shooting. The cross country skiing portion is similar to speed skating as players will need to move the joystick left and right, matching the skiers legs. There are also down hill stretches where the player will have to pull down in order to build up speed. During the shooting portion users will get one shot at each target. Between targets the gun will need to be reloaded and patience heeded. Impatience can increase a player's heart rate and affect accuracy. Each miss results in a 5-second penalty.

In the final event players take control of a bobsled. Users must steer left and right at precise moments as they rapidly progress down the track. The bobsled can flip which will end a player's run and fault them out of the event. ~ Jonathan Sutyak, All Game Guide