Beijing 2008

Athens 2004, the last instalment of the official Olympic video games was without a doubt, one of the best multiplayer games for me, along with the high flying classics, Pro/Fifa, Madden, Mario Kart, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games, Uefa Euro 2008.. You get the idea.

The idea of alternate button pressing for hours on end will seem like hard work, but its well worth it. After we found Athens at uni, and proceded to play it to death over a month, I dont think I have ever felt healthier. Days and days of blisters and used socks.. (putting a sock over your fingers and sliding them back and forth over the 2 alternate buttons is a much faster way of running/swimming etc..) was amazing fun.

And I'm delighted to say that Beijing is no change. More events, more challenges, a better career mode is only let down by the severe lack of the fundamental aspect of a track and field game - ALTERNATE BUTTON BASHING. Its like replacing having a great looking steak, tastes good, smells great.. but to eat it you have to drink it after its been in the blender.. It not how you imagine or want to be doing it.

Yes, there is some. But why o why am I sat here, rotating sticks to lift up a weight? No, I want to alternate button bash.. Its a fundamental aspect that is sorely missed, missing like a log book from a mysteriously cheap Romanian car. But yes, it was still fun to play multiplayer - you have events where everyone is relatively equal, and some where the gap between people is equivilant to the space between Jennifer from Big Brothers teeth. But at the end, you are normally pretty close. Or you would be if I wasnt so useless at the Kayaking. Kayaking is by far the worst and most embarresing 5 minute experience in my life. Ive had better control of my bladder on the first night out when going back to Uni and ant decides to play drinking games all day and we have a crate each before leaving and then having to sit in a minibus for 30 minutes and then running to the toilets in the club only to find out we have lost everyone.... than I had when playing the Kayaking. Stupid event.

Anyway, the graphics are good, the gameplay is good, the sense of 1-up-manship on your mates is still there - its a great party game.

New Game Scores, 1 word sum up and buy or not to buy..

Beijing 2008 (Xbox, Ps3) - 8/10 – goldmedaly – Buy