The detailed graphics, excellent presentation and refined game play of Summer Games put it head and shoulders above other comparatively crude joystick- waggling sports games. In the following three years, during which time US Gold took over their UK distribution, Epyx continued to produce sports simulations in the same innovative vein, constantly bettering each previous release in terms of graphics, sound and depth of game play.
Having set new standards, and surpassed all expectations in the process with Summer Games II. Winter Games, and World Games, Epyx can only do the same again witty California Games - the fifth release in the Games series, featuring six new events based on the exploits of the beautiful people who live in America's Golden State.
Beginner Trick Skateboard
As is the case with the preceding three titles in the Games series, up to eight players can compete in one some or all six of the events - or you can practice an event to your heart's content. On the Commodore 64 disk version, the high score table that records the best scores or times achieved is saved to disk for posterity.
Unlike its predecessors however California Games does not allow players to play for the country of their choice - instead, a choice of nine relevant American sponsors is displayed, including Casio and Kawasaki. US Gold hope to persuade nine UK sponsors to buy space, replacing the names featured on the American version. Another difference is that trophies are awarded after an event - presumably a Californian custom.
HALF PIPE SKATEBOARDING
After sweeping the nation in the late seventies, the skateboarding craze has since died down and we don't hear about the sport in Britain. Major competitions are still held in the States though, and this event is based on one part of such a competition. You have one minute and 15 seconds to manoeuvre a skateboard inside a large pipe, performing tricks to earn points. Three different moves are available and all take a bit of getting used to - kick turns and aerial turns are hardest to perform, but the hand plant comes easiest with practice Repetitive but fun.
FOOT BAG
The Foot Bag didn't make much of an impact in the UK, despite a devoted cult following in the States. Set against the tranquil location beside the sea points are scored by juggling a pseudo- spherical leather bag with the head and feet. Pressing the fire button at the correct moment hits the bag into the air, and bonus points are earned by performing tricks such as Half Axel, Full Axel, Axel Foley, and Jester. Foot Bag is very playable, requiring a great deal of coordination, and has more scope than other events.
SURFING
The aquatic forerunner to the skateboarding craze. The aim is to catch a wave and ride it for one and a half minutes, collecting points for turning and riding underneath the curl of the wave or near the break - wipe-out four times and your surfing exploits are over. The surfing judges are even more impressed if you can ride to the top of the wave, clear it, turn and land without wiping out. This is not the easiest of events to score points in, as it seems to take some pretty radical surfing to impress the computer-controlled judges. Either that or the computer is biased.
ROLLER SKATING
With wheels on your female feet, speed is of the essence as you negotiate a horizontally scrolling beach boardwalk, avoiding obstacles that include cracks and gaps in the pavement, banana skins, beach balls and puddles of water. Performing simple stunts such as ducking and 360 degree spins earns the approval of the judges. Speed, and a commendably authentic skating feel is achieved by sweeping the joystick from top to bottom and vice versa to push off from either leg. The event finishes when the skater has fallen three times - or reaches the finish line.
BMX BIKE RIDING
Pedal power is called for along this horizontally scrolling course set in the California desert. Jumps, bumps, dips, obstacles and comments from the spectators appear at bottom of screen as you pedal madly along, aiming to cover the course as quickly as possible time. There's a two minute time limit and stunts performed en route, such as jumping, backward or forward flips, twisting the bike (a Table Top), and 360 degree turns all earn those magical points. Falling three times brings the race to an end - but a single serious fall on the head is fatal. This is perhaps the most enjoyable event of the six on offer.
FLYING DISC
Rather like the most Californian of picnic games, Frisbee, this event requires you to throw a disc through the air to a partner at the opposite end of a playing field. The power and the angle of a throw have to be judged, then your partner moved left or right ready to intercept the disc. Points are scored for the accuracy of throw and catch. Disc throwing is one of the easiest events to play - but the hardest to master.
IMPRESSIVE
Epyx undoubtedly lead the field with the Games series - no-one has yet managed to get close to producing a product of such high quality - with the notable exception of Anco's excellent Winter Events and Summer Events for the C16. Such quality imitations are indeed flattering and a spoof of the Epyx style is also in the pipeline from Gremlin Graphics in the form of Alternative Olympics (further details elsewhere in this issue).
California Games is easily as impressive as its forerunners, with the six events providing plenty of pay ability and long-term entertainment. The instructions are up to Epyx's usual high standards - informative and they include a few helpful playing tips. Added to this is a beginner's guide to Californian slang, explaining the use of such quaint terminology as 'dude', 'radical' and 'tubular'.
My rating for this game is 5 out of 5.
Classic Game Review: California Games 1987
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