No comments yet. Be the first!
Decathlon is a sports game released in 1983 for the Atari 2600. This title focuses on the classic athletic event of the decathlon, challenging players to compete in ten different track and field disciplines. The main objective is to accumulate the highest score by performing well across all events, including running, jumping, and throwing contests.
The game’s pace varies depending on the event, with some requiring quick reflexes and others demanding precise timing. A unique mechanic in Decathlon is its use of button mashing to simulate running speed, which adds a physical element to the gameplay uncommon in other sports games of its time. This mechanic requires players to rapidly press controller buttons to increase their character’s velocity.
What makes Decathlon distinctive is its attempt to capture multiple Olympic-style events within a single cartridge on the Atari 2600, offering a variety of challenges in one game. This multi-event sports experience provides a diverse gameplay structure compared to simpler, single-discipline sports titles available in the early 1980s.
