The major sporting events keep on coming as fans enjoy a memorable and spectacular summer of sport. The summer of 2024 is special as it heralds the return of the UEFA European Championship, more commonly known as Euro 2024. The top teams are in Germany bidding to blaze a trail of glory to the title and become champions. Italy is the current holder after beating England on penalties at Wembley in the final of Euro 2020. Will Team Italy make it two titles on the bounce? Tune into the action live on TV and the best live-streaming apps to find out.
When the play finishes in Germany following the final on Sunday the 14th of July, attention quickly turns to France. As soon as Euro 2024 organizers begin packing up in Munich, the 2024 Summer Olympic Games will start in France. Paris provides an iconic backdrop as the Olympics returns just three years after the 2020 games were delayed by 12 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Which nation will scoop the most gold medals in the beautiful French capital? You can have your say at BetUS now, where you’ll find interesting gambling markets and exciting odds.
As excitement builds ahead of Paris 2024, we can’t wait to get started. It has been a challenging few years for the Olympic Committee, and they’ll be eager to bounce back in style, showing that the games are more popular and stronger than ever. While counting down the days until the opening ceremony, we’re getting in the mood by remembering some Olympic console classics. Why watch the events when you can fire up your Playstation or Xbox and play your part?
There have been many Olympics-related console classics over the years, but which has been the best? Do you prefer the visually stunning modern games, or are you more of a fan of the retro titles? Keep reading as our content team walks you down memory lane and discusses the best-selling Olympic console titles of all time.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (2008)
“Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games” marks a historic collaboration between two of gaming’s most iconic franchises, Mario from Nintendo and Sonic the Hedgehog from SEGA. Released in 2008 to coincide with the Beijing Olympics, this game brought together characters from both universes to compete in a variety of Olympic sports.
The game features a range of Olympic events, such as athletics, swimming, gymnastics, and more. Each character has unique strengths and abilities suited to different sports. The Wii version utilized motion controls, providing an immersive experience where players could mimic real-life athletic movements. The DS version, on the other hand, used the touch screen for interactive gameplay.
The blend of familiar characters, engaging gameplay, and innovative use of console features made “Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games” a massive success. Its popularity led to several sequels, each tied to subsequent Olympic Games, solidifying it as a staple in the sports and party game genre.
Olympic Gold: Barcelona ’92 (1992)
Released to coincide with the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics, “Olympic Gold” was one of the early attempts to bring the excitement of the Olympics to home consoles. Developed by U.S. Gold and SEGA, the game aimed to replicate the feel of the actual Olympic events through pixel art and straightforward gameplay mechanics.
Players could participate in a variety of events, including 100-meter sprints, 110-meter hurdles, archery, and pole vault. The game emphasized timing and precision, requiring players to press buttons at the right moment to perform well in the events.
“Olympic Gold” was praised for its faithful representation of the Olympic events and the quality of its graphics for the time. Its success paved the way for future Olympic video games and demonstrated the potential for sports simulation on home consoles.
London 2012: The Official Video Game (2012)
Developed by SEGA Studios Australia and released by SEGA, “London 2012: The Official Video Game” aimed to capture the grandeur of the London Olympics. It offered an extensive selection of events and realistic graphics, striving to provide a comprehensive Olympic experience.
The game featured over 30 Olympic events, including track and field, aquatics, and more specialized sports like keirin and trampoline. Players could compete in a variety of modes, including Olympic Games mode, where they could lead a nation through the entire Olympics, and multiplayer modes, which allowed for competitive play.
The game was noted for its depth and variety of events, as well as its realistic presentation. While some critics pointed out the repetitive nature of the gameplay, its overall polish and the excitement surrounding the London Olympics helped it achieve strong sales.
Athens 2004 (2004)
“Athens 2004” was developed by Eurocom and published by Eidos Interactive during the Athens Summer Olympics. The game, with its wide array of events and detailed graphics, aimed to bring the authentic Olympic experience to PlayStation 2 and PC gamers.
Over 25 events across different sports disciplines, such as athletics, aquatics, gymnastics, and weightlifting, were available to players. The game featured a robust single-player mode and multiplayer options for up to four players, which added to its replay value.
“Athens 2004” was praised for its variety and depth of events, as well as its visual fidelity. However, some critics noted the learning curve associated with mastering the controls. Despite this, the game’s attention to detail and comprehensive representation of the Olympics contributed to its success.
Your move
We hope you enjoyed our article on the best-selling Olympic Games console titles. Researching and creating this article reminded us of some forgotten favorites, including Olympic Gold, which was a trailblazer in the field. You’ll find some retro gaming packages and sites that allow you to play Olympic Gold at home, and we advise you to give it a try. It will either bring back good memories or introduce you to a classic.
Playing the best Olympic console games will help build excitement ahead of Paris 2024, which begins on the 26th of July and runs to the 11th of August.
