The official video game of the 2000 Olympics, Sydney 2000 borrows heavily from the gameplay of the 1983 arcade classic Track and Field. Players "power" their virtual athletes by hammering on two buttons in an alternating sequence as fast as possible, with the manipulation of a third button required at certain times to perform a particular action. Unfortunately, the novelty here wears off pretty darn quick, especially when using the Dreamcast's standard controller, which is just barely adequate for such frenzied button mashing; you really need an arcade stick for this one.
While not all of Sydney 2000's 12 events use this tedious control system, the few that don't feature similarly shallow-as-a-puddle gameplay. What's worse, in order to make it to the Games in Olympic mode, players must "train" their team in a series of tiresome Virtual Gym exercises, which involve--you guessed it--lots and lots of button mashing. Thankfully, Sydney 2000's Arcade and Coaching modes allow players to jump right into any event. You won't get to experience the game's Olympic fanfare, but you'll probably save yourself from a repetitive-stress injury. --Joe Hon
Pros:
Makes for an easy-to-pick-up multiplayer game
TV-style coverage includes replays shown from multiple camera angles
Cons:
Shallow gameplay involves little more than mindless button mashing
Arcade stick more of a requirement than an option
Not much fun as a single-player gaming experience
Features:
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This item comes with no original case, box, sleeve or artwork. Media ONLY. Discs, tapes and games wi
Average Customer Review:
( 9 customer reviews )
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13 of 17 found the following review helpful:
OlympicsSep 13, 2000
By Ian M. Enriquez
"Counselor and lover of life"
For the first game of this type on the Dreamcast, it is OK. The game looks good, but it is a bit tedious. It is fun to play with a group of friends, but it does get tiresome. If you really want a Track and Field type game for your Dreamcast, I would suggest that you wait. Sega and ESPN are both on their way to releasing similar games that include differing options and events. It may be wise to hold out and see which game best fits what you are looking for.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Fun for a while.......May 31, 2001
Some say this game is horrible and a waste of money. If you ask me this is a fun game to play with a friend or by yourself. The one downfall of this game is you arm gets a workout and starts to hurt after playing for a while. But everything else in the game makes it all worth it, like building up you person in each event to try and win the gold metal. I use to rent the Playstation version, that's how I first heard of this game. Then when the Dreamcast version came out I bought it as soon as I saw it. The graphics, game play, sound and basically everything else is so much better on Dreamcast. This game is fun for the first week or two when you get it, but as most games you will get bored of it. But for 20 bucks its well worth it for those two weeks.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
This GameMar 29, 2001
By DONALD R WILLIAMS If you've been told that your finger's are overweight and in need of a workout, then this game is for you. Otherwise pass this one up, if it's free pass it up, if it falls out of the sky and lands in your hands don't pass, run. The constant pressing and alternating of A+B buttons for every single event nearly crippled my hand. About 10 minutes after I bought this game I threw it out my window. It stunk that bad. If I could have given this game no stars I would have.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
What do you think my Dreamcast controller is, a drum??!!Jul 01, 2002
This game really [is not good] due to the fact that in every single solitary event you have to repeatedly press A and X. I'm not gonna break my fingers and my controller over that. The only game that's a little fun in it is kayaking, in which I was able to win. But everything else, including kayaking, was frustraing me and my hand. I couldn't even know what was going on with the cycling. The fitness excersices also [were not good] because they really didn't help you. I returned this game to the store the very next hour. ...
5 of 8 found the following review helpful:
Throwback gaming in 2000Sep 21, 2000
By Phantasmagoria This title from Eidos is great for all of us who grew up playing The Summer Olympics and Winter Olympics titles that used to be available for Commodore 64 and IBM compatibles. These are meant to be played with other people. You create and train athletes to your liking and then take them on a run for the gold. The amount of events you get to participate is wide ranging so if you get tired of one event you can go try another. This one is a good party game it has good overall graphics like most DC games and it has excellent voice over work by professional announcers. With the olympics on tape delay it would seem that this game may be way more entertaining than the Olympics themselves. So if you want some head to head athletic button pounding action I say try this one out. The other titles like it have less events.
based on 9 reviews
( 9 customer reviews )
