Track & Field ( Arcade)

For some reason, Track & Field is never mentioned in the same breath as other examples of arcade genius like Pac-Man, Defender and Donkey Kong, but it really should be. It’s twenty-one years old, this year, and it’s still as fresh and compulsive as ever.

This is the only game I'd like to own in its original form. I still remember the first time I saw it in an arcade, with limited 10p pieces in my pocket and the lure of a multitude of gaming pleasures, it was this game that relieved me of all my cash.

I think a lot of it has to do with the jarring rendition of the Chariots Of Fire theme tune that it plays in the attract sequence. Being a bit of a sportsman in my youth (school Long Jump champ in 1985) that was always going to draw me in.

Sports Day Reunion at Ely’s old school. He is, naturally, the guy on the far left.

So, I remember with great joy finally getting past the Long Jump target of 6.50m and thus getting to play both the Javelin and then the rather tricky 110m Hurdles before, of course, failing on the Hammer.

I love the little things in the game that I never knew about back then. Take the Long Jump – step on a bit of the take-off line for a small speed boost, hit it square to get an even bigger one. Do this twice in a row and watch your moustachioed athlete fly out to well over your best – maybe even onto the supposed maximum of 9.72m.

”What kept ya?”

Then there’s the Javelin ‘trick’… Get two qualifying throws in a row (don't forget to keep waggling whilst in flight) and watch as the third attempt flies past the 100m line and gives you a distance of 1.23cm rather than your deserved 101.23m.

The Hammer was always my failing,until I learned that staring at those blocky, spinning-round graphics is pointless. It's the speed bar at the bottom you should be concentrating on.

Aaaand the High Jump… This one is the funniest, because it’s still surprisingly obscure – furious waggling after your jump gains you a much-needed upward boost leading to potential jumps of over 2.50m.

These days I can pretty much play it forever, unless the Hammer catches me out first time round. It's the perfect game to play with friends – ideally, with a crowd watching. The chance to use your best gamesmanship tactics against fellow competitors genuinely adds to the tension, whilst showboating for a throng of onlookers can lead to embarrassing downfall at a single mistimed button-press.

Konami HQ. Someone in there thought up the javelin bird/alien/lighting thing. Are there other,
undiscovered secrets? Who knows, or dares to dream?

But being able to play for ages never stops me getting bored. There's always the chance that the next event might lead to a personal best, or an individual round win over your mates.

I love Track & Field because it’s a simple idea, beautifully executed.

It’s also good exercise.

Tune in next week, when I’ll be demonstrating Ely’s Track & Field Work-Out.

I’m serious.

Come challenge the Rodents (well, some of ‘em). Here’s the Llamascores T&F ‘World Records’ – http://www.llamascores.org/olympics/olympics-world.htm

ELY, June 2004.

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