Summary
- Release Year: 1980
- Genres: Sport
- Platforms: Intellivision
- Developers: Mattel Electronics
- Publishers: Mattel Electronics
Skiing (1980): The Granddaddy of Winter Sports Games
Released in 1980, Skiing is one of the earliest and most influential winter sports games ever made. It was developed by the legendary game designer Toru Iwatani, who is also known for creating Pac-Man. Skiing was originally released in arcades, but was later ported to home computers and consoles.
The goal of Skiing is simple: ski to the bottom of the mountain as quickly as possible. However, the mountain is treacherous, with plenty of trees and moguls in the way. There are two different modes of gameplay: slalom and downhill.
In slalom mode, you must ski through a series of gates. Missing a gate results in a penalty to your time. In downhill mode, you simply need to ski to the bottom of the mountain as fast as possible.
Each mode includes five different skill levels. The higher the skill level, the longer the course and the more gates you must ski through (in slalom mode).
Skiing was a groundbreaking game in its day. It was one of the first games to use raster graphics, which allowed for more detailed and realistic visuals. The game also featured smooth scrolling, which created a sense of speed and immersion.
Skiing was also one of the first games to use analog controls. The player controlled the skier using a joystick, which allowed for more precise and nuanced movements. This made the game more challenging and rewarding to play.
Skiing was a critical and commercial success. It was one of the most popular arcade games of its time, and it sold millions of copies on home computers and consoles. The game has been praised for its simple yet addictive gameplay, its beautiful graphics, and its innovative use of analog controls.
Skiing has been cited as an influence on many later winter sports games, including the popular SSX series. The game is still enjoyed by retro gamers today, and it remains a classic example of early video game design.
Gameplay
Skiing is a simple game to learn, but difficult to master. The player controls a skier who must ski to the bottom of a mountain as quickly as possible. The mountain is procedurally generated, so it is different every time you play.
The skier can move left and right, and can also jump. The player must use the joystick to control the skier’s speed and direction. The skier will automatically slow down when going downhill, and will speed up when going uphill.
The skier must avoid hitting trees and moguls. Hitting a tree will cause the skier to crash and lose time. Hitting a mogul will slow the skier down.
There are two different modes of gameplay: slalom and downhill.
In slalom mode, the skier must ski through a series of gates. Missing a gate will result in a penalty to the skier’s time. The skier must complete the course as quickly as possible to get the best time.
In downhill mode, the skier simply needs to ski to the bottom of the mountain as fast as possible. There are no gates to ski through, and the skier can take any path they want.
Graphics and Sound
Skiing features simple but effective graphics. The mountain is represented by a series of lines and curves, and the skier is represented by a small sprite. The game uses a limited color palette, but the graphics are still clear and easy to read.
The game’s sound effects are simple but effective. The skier makes a whooshing sound when skiing, and there is a crash sound when the skier hits a tree. The game also features a catchy tune that plays in the background.
Legacy
Skiing is one of the most influential winter sports games ever made. It was one of the first games to use raster graphics, smooth scrolling, and analog controls. The game’s simple yet addictive gameplay has also been praised by critics and gamers alike.
Skiing has been cited as an influence on many later winter sports games, including the popular SSX series. The game is still enjoyed by retro gamers today, and it remains a classic example of early video game design.
Conclusion
Skiing is a classic arcade game that’s still a lot of fun to play today. The simple gameplay is easy to learn, but hard to master. And with five different skill levels, there’s a challenge for everyone. If you’re a fan of winter sports games, or if you’re just looking for a fun and challenging game to play, then I highly recommend checking out Skiing.
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
