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1983

Hyper Olympic

Quick Overview

Hyper Olympic is Konami's 1983 Olympic sports game, in which you step into the shoes of an athlete and compete in six track and field events. It was released under this title in Japan and Europe, and as Track & Field in the United States. The machine in the museum is the licensed version by the Italian company Zaccaria, which sold it as Hyper Olympics. The Japanese release carried an official license for the 1984 Summer Olympics.

Hyper Olympic

Basics

  • Release1983
  • DeveloperKonami
  • Manufacturer (this machine)Zaccaria (Italy), licensed from Konami
  • Other titleTrack & Field (North America)
  • GenreSports (athletics)
  • ControlsTwo run buttons and one action button

Standout Features

Six track and field eventsTwo run buttons and one action buttonQualifying times to advanceAn extra life for every 100,000 points

Gameplay

100 meter dashLong jump and high jumpJavelin throw and hammer throw110 meter hurdles

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Game Objective

You compete in six track and field events one after another: the 100 meter dash, long jump, javelin throw, 110 meter hurdles, hammer throw and high jump. You control the athlete with two run buttons and one action button. Each event has a qualifying time or mark you have to reach to advance. Miss it and you lose a life. You earn an extra life for every 100,000 points.

Zaccaria: An Italian Cabinet, a Konami Game

Zaccaria was a company based in Bologna, Italy, that operated from 1974 to 1990 and built both pinball and arcade machines. The company secured licenses to several popular Konami games: besides Hyper Olympics, its lineup also included Super Cobra, Scramble, Frogger, Comidar (based on Amidar) and Hyper Sports. Thanks to their distinctive look, Zaccaria cabinets are sought-after collectibles today.

Fun Facts

  • It was released as Hyper Olympic in Japan and Europe, and as Track & Field in the United States.
  • The Japanese release carried an official license for the 1984 Summer Olympics.
  • The game has six track and field events: 100 m, long jump, javelin, 110 m hurdles, hammer throw and high jump.
  • You control the athlete with two run buttons and one action button.
  • The museum's machine is the licensed version by the Italian company Zaccaria, which sold it as Hyper Olympics.
  • It was one of the most successful arcade games of 1984.
  • Home versions also appeared for the Atari 2600, the NES, the Game Boy, the ZX Spectrum and the Commodore 64.

The Evolution of Arcade

The game was a commercial success and became one of the most successful arcade games of 1984. It was known as Hyper Olympic in Japan and Europe and as Track & Field in the US. Its success led to many sequels and home versions, including ones for the Atari 2600, the Nintendo NES, the Game Boy, the ZX Spectrum and the Commodore 64.

Who Is It For?

Fans of classic sports games and arcade history. If you like button-mashing games that demand quick reflexes, Hyper Olympic is one of their best-known ancestors.