Epyxs last big sports game
User Rating: 7.9 | California Games C64
Released in 1987 California games was the last of the sports series from Epyx before if filed for bankruptcy in 1989. The game is just what the title says, sports from California. The events the player can compete in are skateboarding, footbag (also known as hackeysack), surfing, roller skating, flying disc (Frisbee) and BMX. Footbag and scateboarding are judged on the number of tricks you successfully perform within a certain time limit. In Roller skating and BMX the player has to finish a course trying to perform tricks for bonus points while evading obstacles. Surfing is ranked by judges (Surfing), the number and kind of tricks decide the score. The flying disk event involves two people, the thrower and the catcher. The aim is to trow the frisbee to the catcher as accurately as possible. Extra points are awarded for the type of catch, either running, diving or overhead. California games is one of those sports game that turns monotonous after a few hours. Only of the few of the sports like surfing and skateboarding can entertain the player for more than 15 minutes at at time. Playing with a friend makes the game much more interesting but the friend has to be there in person (in 1987 people did that). The graphics are not too bad for the late 80’s but certainly nothing special. The gameplay is on the better end of the spectrum. Its not just punching buttons like earlier sports games, its more up to timing in this one. I believe this game is making a comeback on the Nintendo WII in 2007 to entertain a new generation of gamers.
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