Summary

Release Year: 1984
Genres: Arcade, Sport
Platforms: Arcade
Developers: Konami
Publishers: Centuri, Konami

Hyper Sports (1984): A Detailed Retrospective

Released in 1984 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Hyper Sports is a track and field-style sports game that challenges players to compete in six different events: swimming, skeet shooting, gymnastics, archery, triple jump, and weightlifting. The game was developed and published by Konami, and it was one of the first sports games to be released for the NES.

Hyper Sports is notable for its simple yet challenging gameplay, which requires players to master the timing and precision of each event in order to succeed. The game also features a variety of difficulty levels, making it accessible to players of all skill levels.

Gameplay

Hyper Sports is played using the NES controller’s D-pad and A and B buttons. The D-pad is used to move the player’s character around the screen, while the A button is used to perform actions such as jumping, shooting, and lifting weights. The B button is used to change the player’s direction or to cancel an action.

The game’s six events are each played differently. In swimming, the player must move their character left and right to stay afloat and press the A button to breathe. In skeet shooting, the player must time their shots to hit flying targets. In gymnastics, the player must time a series of button presses to perform a successful jump. In archery, the player must aim their shot and take into account the wind factor. In triple jump, the player must press the A button three times to complete the jump. In weightlifting, the player must press the A button repeatedly to lift a barbell.

Events

Swimming

The swimming event is the first event in Hyper Sports. The player must move their character left and right to stay afloat and press the A button to breathe. The player must swim for a certain distance before they can reach the finish line.

Skeet Shooting

The skeet shooting event is the second event in Hyper Sports. The player must shoot flying targets. The player must time their shots carefully to hit the targets. The player must shoot a certain number of targets before they can reach the finish line.

Gymnastics

The gymnastics event is the third event in Hyper Sports. The player must perform a series of jumps. The player must time their button presses carefully to perform a successful jump. The player must perform a certain number of jumps before they can reach the finish line.

Archery

The archery event is the fourth event in Hyper Sports. The player must shoot arrows at targets. The player must aim their shot carefully and take into account the wind factor. The player must shoot a certain number of targets before they can reach the finish line.

Triple Jump

The triple jump event is the fifth event in Hyper Sports. The player must jump three times. The player must press the A button three times to complete the jump. The player must jump a certain distance before they can reach the finish line.

Weightlifting

The weightlifting event is the sixth and final event in Hyper Sports. The player must lift a barbell. The player must press the A button repeatedly to lift the barbell. The player must lift the barbell a certain number of times before they can reach the finish line.

Difficulty Levels

Hyper Sports features three difficulty levels: Easy, Normal, and Hard. The difficulty level affects the speed of the game and the number of attempts the player has to complete each event. On Easy, the player has unlimited attempts to complete each event. On Normal, the player has three attempts to complete each event. On Hard, the player has only one attempt to complete each event.

Reception

Hyper Sports was a critical and commercial success upon its release. The game was praised for its simple yet challenging gameplay, its variety of events, and its difficulty levels. Hyper Sports was also one of the first sports games to be released for the NES, and it helped to establish the genre on the console.

Hyper Sports has been ported to a number of other platforms over the years, including the Game Boy, the Wii, and the Nintendo Switch. The game has also been included in a number of retro game compilations.

Legacy

Hyper Sports is considered to be one of the classic NES games. The game’s simple yet challenging gameplay, its variety of events, and its difficulty levels have made it a popular choice for gamers of all ages. Hyper Sports has also been cited as an influence on a number of other sports games, including the Track & Field series and the Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games series.

Conclusion

Hyper Sports is a classic NES game that still holds up today. The game’s simple yet challenging gameplay, its variety of events, and its difficulty levels make it a great choice for gamers of all ages. If you’re looking for a fun and challenging sports game to play, then Hyper Sports is definitely worth checking out.

Review Score

8/10

Hyper Sports (1984)