The First 10 Minutes: Beijing 08

Manager
Thursday, July 3, 2008 | 5:29 PM
12 comments

Xbox 360 PS3

Sega released Beijing Olympics 2008 last friday in Europe, while Americans can pick it up next week. Sega took the full step to the current generation, ignoring the PS2, developing it on Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and the PC. The game mechanics are the same as the old games, it's all about button bashing in many of the 38 (!) events.

The game hasn't been reviewed in many medias, but so far it has gotten pretty low scores. This is something I can't understand - the game isn't something revolutionary, but the average of somewhere around 50% is really low to me.

The controls have gotten some additions this year - if you don't want to bash A or B while running track, you can for example move the sticks in circles or up and down. This doesn't feel good for me, so I ended up using A+B anyway. The graphics are pretty good, animations aswell and there really isn't much to complain about there.

There are 38 (thirty-eight!) different events that can be played, see the full list in the gallery below. Sure, 200m track and 400 doesn't differ that much, but there is a wide variety between them - swimming, gymnastics, table tennis, judo, you name it.

The game features 4 player offline play and online multiplayer, something I haven't tested yet but should be a blast.
If anyone of you want to see a particular event, write in the comments below and I'll do a video tomorrow or so. Until then, enjoy the first steps in the singleplayer mode.

First 10 Minutes images

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First 10 Minutes

docLEXfisti

Commented on 2008-07-03 17:58:46

For over a week now I've been struggling whether I should buy this or not ... still haven't decided though, but I'd really love a good competition game ... I so much miss Summer Games, Winter Games, World Games ... those were damn phun to play!

If anyone bought it already, can you please give us your opinion if it is actually worth it ... the customer-reviews on play.com sure aren't that bad ...

In reply to

Manager

Commented on 2008-07-03 18:07:36 In reply to docLEXfisti

Posted by docLEXfisti

If anyone bought it already, can you please give us your opinion if it is actually worth it ... the customer-reviews on play.com sure aren't that bad ...

I don't know if there's that much to say, what do you want to know? In the end, the game is all about button bashing, but there are some other solutions. Like Skeet, where you have to aim and fire at the right time. Or the gymnastics event, where you have to press combinations or aim at certain points.
I've enjoyed the time I've spent with it, but I haven't been able to try all the events yet.

Foo

Commented on 2008-07-03 18:12:23

This isn't the only athletics game this year. There's also a unofficial game called Summer Athletics (no PS3 though. Google it).

Gonna get one this summer, which one is up to the reviewers.

blmbox

Commented on 2008-07-03 18:13:30

I dunno, I think Mario & Sonic at the Olympics looks much more enjoyable than this. Man, how i've wasted hours away on that ...

starfox14now

Commented on 2008-07-03 18:14:05

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=VtHO1HcXB_Q

Ohh, the nostalgia... HD Remake, Please!!!

Inflatable

Commented on 2008-07-03 21:21:51 In reply to starfox14now

Posted by starfox14now

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=r0-LGPj2CLQ

No, this!!! I played that on my C64 back then..

Games have changed a bit since then you could say.. :P

hiscore

Commented on 2008-07-03 23:20:52

I am reviewing this. The controls are horrible. No button layout presets nor option for mapping your buttons, which is a shame as almost every event involving speed lets you use A and B to button mash yourself to victory (that, or "wiggling" the thumb sticks). I would have preferred the L and R triggers for instance. Also, it's very hard to be great in this game, due to the bad controls.

Commented on 2008-07-03 23:30:28 In reply to hiscore

Posted by hiscore

I would have preferred the L and R triggers for instance. Also, it's very hard to be great in this game, due to the bad controls.

There are some events letting you use L and R, Judo for example, and I hate that compared to A+B. It's too rough and exhausting for my index fingers, while you can use any finger for A+B.

SimonM7

Commented on 2008-07-04 00:07:46

Mario and Sonic is actually made by the Athlete Kings guys and is a surprisingly well executed game once you figure out what they want you to do in each event.

aphex187

Commented on 2008-07-04 01:40:34 In reply to docLEXfisti

Me2 m8, ahhh those were the days gaming away listening to License To Ill.......

Kawalin

Commented on 2008-07-04 02:37:11

i'll buy this game, because i am chinese.. lol :D (in my heart: hopefully easy achievement points - -!)

Commented on 2008-07-04 11:28:00

Thx 4 info manager, I just placed my order at play.com, 'cause it only costs EUR 55,- there, as opposed to the 70,- they want at the stores in Vienna ...