Summer Games

Summer Games is a multi-event sports simulation developed and published by Epyx in 1984, coinciding with the Los Angeles Olympic Games . The game is presented as the “Epyx Games,” an unofficial virtual Olympics where up to eight players can choose from 17 different countries to represent and compete for medals across eight events . A scoring system of 5:3:1 (gold, silver, bronze) is used for the overall medal tally . The Commodore 64 version uniquely allows Summer Games to be linked with Summer Games II, combining events from both titles into a single, larger Olympiad . The eight events included are: Pole Vault, Platform Diving, 4x400m Relay, 100m Dash, Gymnastics, Freestyle Relay, 100m Freestyle and Skeet Shooting .

Commodore 64

The Commodore 64 original was designed by Scott Nelson and Stephen Landrum, with graphics that were lauded as “extremely subtle and smooth” . Zzap!64 magazine (July 1985) reviewed the full-price release, awarding an overall score of 90% (with Graphics 91%, Sound 79%, Arcade Feel 86%) . The reviewer praised the superb animation of the runners and backgrounds, noting that while it is “not essentially an arcade style conversion,” it appeals to Track & Field fans who enjoy skill-based challenges . The game features national anthems playing for the winning country, a pleasant detail for the era. The 100m Dash remains a notoriously stamina-sapping event requiring fast joystick waggling, while the Pole Vault demands perfect timing to clear the bar . Summer Games was wildly successful, becoming the “first of Epyx's Games series” and a staple of C64 multiplayer sessions .