{"id":22472,"date":"2024-03-22T16:57:37","date_gmt":"2024-03-22T15:57:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.recharge.com\/blog?p=22472"},"modified":"2024-10-25T18:10:03","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T16:10:03","slug":"olympics-2024-sports-games","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.recharge.com\/blog\/en-gb\/ie\/olympics-2024-sports-games","title":{"rendered":"Olympics 2024: From the stadium to the console and back"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sports have played a major role in video game culture for longer than you think. You\u2019ve probably heard of <\/span>Pong<\/span><\/i>, the table-tennis-themed arcade game released in 1972. But the earliest sports video game actually dates all the way back to 1958. It was called <\/span>Tennis for Two <\/span><\/i>and was played not on an arcade cabinet or a TV, but on an oscilloscope.<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, sports games are a huge category in their own right. With the Paris 2024 Olympics approaching, let’s take a closer look at the fascinating world of sports gaming.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Olympics-inspired video games over the years\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Over the last few decades, we\u2019ve seen several Olympics-inspired titles. There was <\/span>Olympic Gold<\/span><\/i> (Sega Mega Drive, 1992). There was <\/span>International Track and Field<\/span><\/i> (PlayStation One, 1996). And then we got the <\/span>Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games<\/span><\/i> series (first released on Nintendo Wii in 2007).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For the most recent Olympic Games (Tokyo 2020), we also had<\/span> Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – The Official Video Game<\/span><\/i>. That was available on most major gaming platforms. Sadly the reviews weren\u2019t great, and it looks like there won\u2019t be an official cross-platform game for the Paris Olympics 2024. There\u2019s also no sign of an update to the <\/span>Mario & Sonic<\/span><\/i> series this time round. The 2020 version was one of the more popular Nintendo Switch sports games, but it looks like we’ll have to wait till 2028 at least for a sequel.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Virtual versus reality: How realistic are these games?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Virtual sports games and real-world Olympic sports both celebrate athletic excellence and competition. Video games allow players to experience a wide array of Olympic sports, from track and field to swimming and gymnastics.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, there are big differences between virtual sports and their real-world counterparts. Real-world Olympic sports require rigorous physical training and discipline over many years. Athletes undergo intense physical and mental preparation to compete at the highest levels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, virtual sports demand decent hand-eye coordination. Sometimes they involve full-body movement (in the case of motion-controlled gaming). Yes, professional esports gamers train relentlessly. But the physical challenge doesn\u2019t really compare. Nevertheless, virtual sports games can act as a gateway for fans to develop a deeper appreciation for Olympic disciplines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Track and field events are a cornerstone of the Olympic Games. A game like <\/span>Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020<\/span><\/i> presents these events in a family-friendly, arcade-style format. It simplifies the complexities of real-world athletics into button presses and timing-based mini-games. In true Nintendo style, fun and accessibility come before realism.<\/span><\/p>\n

Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – The Official Video Game <\/span><\/i>aimed for a more faithful recreation of key events like swimming. In the real world, competitors must master breathing patterns, strokes, and turns. Victories are often decided by fractions of a second. The sensory experience of being in the water and the tactical decision-making about pacing and positioning are key. The game attempts to honour these aspects, requiring players to manage rhythm, stamina, and timing to win races. It includes elements like starting reactions and turn timings. But in the real world, the physical and tactile nuances of swimming are far more complex.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Get in the mood for the Olympics 2024<\/b><\/h2>\n

Looking for sports-based games to play as we approach the Olympics 2024? Here are some great options:<\/span><\/p>\n

For a nostalgia hit<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Play:<\/b> Tony Hawks Pro Skater 1 + 2 bundle<\/i><\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Platforms: <\/b>PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fancy a trip back to the glory days of skateboarding games? This remastered collection keeps the original games’ excitement and iconic soundtrack, updating them with sharper graphics and smoother gameplay.<\/span><\/p>\n

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For a proper Olympic experience<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Play:<\/b> Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games<\/i><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Platform: <\/b>Nintendo Switch<\/span><\/p>\n

This game brings together two of the most iconic characters in gaming history for an exhilarating array of Olympic events. Engage in a variety of sports, from track to gymnastics, with a playful twist that only Mario and Sonic can provide.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n