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DecAthlete (video game)
Encyclopedia
DecAthlete, released in Europe as Athlete Kings, is an athletics themed arcade game
. Released in 1994 it was developed and produced by Sega
. A well-received home port was released on the Sega Saturn
in 1995, scoring mainly positive reviews for its arcade faithful conversion, due to the similar hardware of the ST-V arcade and the Saturn. It was released on the PlayStation 2
in Japan only as part of the Sega Ages 2500 series. Compared to other decathlon based games, Decathlete has a more comic and cartoon
like style. A sequel followed in 1997, with the winter sports based Winter Heat
The game play is largely based on quick repeated button pressing for gaining speed, and timed single button presses for jumping and releasing projectiles, in a similar style to the 1983 Konami
release, Track & Field. The game differed with a slightly more advanced control system and 3-D
graphics.
The player must select one of eight international fictitious athletes. In the arcade version, the player competes in ten traditional decathlon
events, requiring a minimum set time, height or distance to qualify from one event to the next. The home console versions also allowed the player to compete in a full decathlon featuring all the events, 100 metres
, 110 metre hurdles, 400 metres
, 1500 metres
, Long jump
, High jump
, Javelin throw
, Discus
, Pole vault
and Shot put
. Despite a potential for multi-player gaming, the game is only two player. In a one player game, the player only competes against at most one other character on screen. The only exception to this is in the 1500 metres, where six other generic athletes join the race along with one main character.
.
Karl Vein: a 28-year-old German competitor with long blonde hair and heaps of self-confidence. Although competitive in all events, he is said to be able to jump over anything.
Robin Banks: a veteran at 38 years old, zebra
print leotard clad Banks is the reigning champion from the previous decathlon. The giant Briton is particularly strong in the throwing events. For the home release of the game his comedy name was changed to Jef Jansens.
Aleksei Rigel: seasoned campaigner and physically the strongest of the eight competitors. This makes the 31-year-old Russian athlete good at throwing events.
Joe Kudou: at 19 he is the youngest of the male competitors and lacks experience. Japanese Kudou relies on his high skill levels in all the events. He wears a reversed baseball cap
.
Femi Kadiena: A national record breaker in her home of Jamaica, she has come to break records on the world stage. The 24-year-old specialises in jumping events.
Ellen Reggiani: due to her speed and stamina, she is known as the "French Express". The 20-year-old French competitor also works as a model.
Li Huang: has silenced her critics saying she is too young, with her tremendous speed. The Peoples Republic of Chinas Huang is just 15 years old.
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
. Released in 1994 it was developed and produced by Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
. A well-received home port was released on the Sega Saturn
Sega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
in 1995, scoring mainly positive reviews for its arcade faithful conversion, due to the similar hardware of the ST-V arcade and the Saturn. It was released on the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
in Japan only as part of the Sega Ages 2500 series. Compared to other decathlon based games, Decathlete has a more comic and cartoon
Cartoon
A cartoon is a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art. While the specific definition has changed over time, modern usage refers to a typically non-realistic or semi-realistic drawing or painting intended for satire, caricature, or humor, or to the artistic style of such works...
like style. A sequel followed in 1997, with the winter sports based Winter Heat
Gameplay
Konami
is a Japanese leading developer and publisher of numerous popular and strong-selling toys, trading cards, anime, tokusatsu, slot machines, arcade cabinets and video games...
release, Track & Field. The game differed with a slightly more advanced control system and 3-D
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
graphics.
The player must select one of eight international fictitious athletes. In the arcade version, the player competes in ten traditional decathlon
Decathlon
The decathlon is a combined event in athletics consisting of ten track and field events. The word decathlon is of Greek origin . Events are held over two consecutive days and the winners are determined by the combined performance in all. Performance is judged on a points system in each event, not...
events, requiring a minimum set time, height or distance to qualify from one event to the next. The home console versions also allowed the player to compete in a full decathlon featuring all the events, 100 metres
100 metres
The 100 metres, or 100-metre dash, is a sprint race in track and field competitions. The shortest common outdoor running distance, it is one of the most popular and prestigious events in the sport of athletics. It has been contested at the Summer Olympics since 1896...
, 110 metre hurdles, 400 metres
400 metres
The 400 metres, or 400 metre dash, is a common sprinting event in track and field competitions. It has been featured in the athletics programme at the Summer Olympics since 1896 . On a standard outdoor running track, it is exactly one lap around the track. Runners start in staggered positions and...
, 1500 metres
1500 metres
The 1,500-metre run is the premier middle distance track event.Aerobic endurance is the biggest factor contributing to success in the 1500 metres but the athlete also requires significant sprint speed.In modern times, the 1,500-metre run has been run at a pace faster than the average person could...
, Long jump
Long jump
The long jump is a track and field event in which athletes combine speed, strength, and agility in an attempt to leap as far as possible from a take off point...
, High jump
High jump
The high jump is a track and field athletics event in which competitors must jump over a horizontal bar placed at measured heights without the aid of certain devices in its modern most practiced format; auxiliary weights and mounds have been used for assistance; rules have changed over the years....
, Javelin throw
Javelin throw
The javelin throw is a track and field athletics throwing event where the object to be thrown is the javelin, a spear approximately 2.5 metres in length. Javelin is an event of both the men's decathlon and the women's heptathlon...
, Discus
Discus
Discus, "disk" in Latin, may refer to:* Discus , a progressive rock band from Indonesia* Discus , a fictional character from the Marvel Comics Universe and enemy of Luke Cage* Discus , a freshwater fish popular with aquarium keepers...
, Pole vault
Pole vault
Pole vaulting is a track and field event in which a person uses a long, flexible pole as an aid to leap over a bar. Pole jumping competitions were known to the ancient Greeks, as well as the Cretans and Celts...
and Shot put
Shot put
The shot put is a track and field event involving "putting" a heavy metal ball—the shot—as far as possible. It is common to use the term "shot put" to refer to both the shot itself and to the putting action....
. Despite a potential for multi-player gaming, the game is only two player. In a one player game, the player only competes against at most one other character on screen. The only exception to this is in the 1500 metres, where six other generic athletes join the race along with one main character.
Characters
Rick Blade: known as the "Pennsylvanian Power", 25-year-old American athlete Blade is an all-rounder, making him a favourite in many of the events. He is roughly based on legendary athlete Carl LewisCarl Lewis
Frederick Carlton "Carl" Lewis is an American former track and field athlete, who won 10 Olympic medals including 9 gold, and 10 World Championships medals, of which 8 were gold. His career spanned from 1979 when he first achieved a world ranking to 1996 when he last won an Olympic title and...
.
Karl Vein: a 28-year-old German competitor with long blonde hair and heaps of self-confidence. Although competitive in all events, he is said to be able to jump over anything.
Robin Banks: a veteran at 38 years old, zebra
Zebra
Zebras are several species of African equids united by their distinctive black and white stripes. Their stripes come in different patterns unique to each individual. They are generally social animals that live in small harems to large herds...
print leotard clad Banks is the reigning champion from the previous decathlon. The giant Briton is particularly strong in the throwing events. For the home release of the game his comedy name was changed to Jef Jansens.
Aleksei Rigel: seasoned campaigner and physically the strongest of the eight competitors. This makes the 31-year-old Russian athlete good at throwing events.
Joe Kudou: at 19 he is the youngest of the male competitors and lacks experience. Japanese Kudou relies on his high skill levels in all the events. He wears a reversed baseball cap
Baseball cap
A baseball cap is a type of soft cap with a rounded stiff brim. The front of the cap typically contains designs or logos of sports teams ,...
.
Femi Kadiena: A national record breaker in her home of Jamaica, she has come to break records on the world stage. The 24-year-old specialises in jumping events.
Ellen Reggiani: due to her speed and stamina, she is known as the "French Express". The 20-year-old French competitor also works as a model.
Li Huang: has silenced her critics saying she is too young, with her tremendous speed. The Peoples Republic of Chinas Huang is just 15 years old.
External links
- http://uk.gamespot.com/saturn/action/decathlete/index.html at GameSpot
- http://uk.cheats.ign.com/objects/000/000375.html at IGN