The Activision Decathlon

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Description

The Activision Decathlon is a series of Olympic games similar to the Epyx games series. Up to four players can compete in the ten different events of a real-life decathlon, either in sequence or individually. Included are the 100-meter dash, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400-meter race, 110-meter hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, and 1500-meter race.

The flat running events involve simple joystick waggling, which must be balanced with accurately-timed button presses to clear the hurdles - hitting them or breaking stride causes a loss of momentum and thus time. For jumping and throwing events, you must build momentum by waggling and then press the button to throw or jump at what you feel is the appropriate moment.

For each event, points are earned based on how well you do (this can be based on your running time, or how far you throw the javelin or discus, etc...), and the player with the most points at the end of the decathlon wins the gold medal.

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Alternate Titles

• "Decathlon" -- Australian/German title

Part of the Following Groups

• Distance record games
• Theme: Olympics

User Reviews

Time to buy a new joystick again

Atari 2600

TheoryOfChaos (55)

Critic Reviews

TeleMatch	Atari 2600	Nov, 1983	1 out of 6	100
The Atari Times	Atari 2600	Mar 10, 2014	85 out of 100	85
Digital Press - Classic Video Games	Atari 2600	Sep 26, 2004	8 out of 10	80
Your Commodore	Commodore 64	Nov, 1984		80
Zzap!	Commodore 64	Jun, 1987	76 out of 100	76
Atari HQ	Atari 2600	2000	7 out of 10	70
The Video Game Critic	Atari 2600	Feb 07, 2002	B-	67
All Game Guide	ColecoVision	1998		60
The Video Game Critic	Atari 5200	Jun 18, 2011	C+	58
Tilt	MSX	Jul, 1985		50

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Trivia

High-Score Rewards

Activision used to reward players by sending them a fabric patch if sent them proof that player achieved a certain high score on the game (ie. a photograph of the high score).

In this case:

• Bronze: 8,600 points
• Silver: 9,000 points
• Gold: 10,000 points

Awards

• Zzap!
  • May 1985 (Issue 1) - #3 It's the Zzap! 64 Top 64!