I couldn't breathe. Hunched over and bent like an old man, I winced and wheezed. And reviewed the contest. How an explosion of effort, strained muscle and pure pain could be judged and decided by inches. Well, winning was worth it, I mused. But then realized - there were nine events left.

Pure adrenaline from David Crane. For the Atari and Commodore 64 computers. Also for ColecoVision, Adam, Atari 2600, 5200

Source:

Activision catalog 1984

Go for the gold! The arena is overflowing and the crowd is humming in anticipation. You take a deep breath and long jump with speed and perfect timing. You keep excelling all the way to the 10th event, start out with a steady pace and spring headstrong to the finish. You made it! In the tradition of the Olympics, you and The Activision Decathlon are one of a kind.

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Activision Fall/Winter catalog 1983

"IF IT'S JUST A GAME WHY AM I SO OUT OF BREATH?"

Because of ten very physical events. And two on-screen contestants who will bend your biceps and trigger your adrenaline. When the competition begins, you'll see. And feel.

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Back of box (Atari 5200)

YOU DO IT FOR YOURSELF, YOUR COUNTRY.... AND THE GOLD.

All of the individual athletic disciplines are yours - speed, strength, stamina and the desire to win. But they will all have to come together as one, because you're about to participate in the most prestigious video sporting event in history:

THE ACTIVISION DECATHLON

**Conceived and designed by David Crane.

For one to four decathletes.**

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Back of box (Atari 2600)

Requiring discipline and sweat, stamina and speed, with muscles opposing muscles, compete in the most celebrated game of the Olympics: the ten events of the decathlon. Earn points for each event. Highest final score wins!

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Description from manual (Atari 2600)

All of the individual athletic disciplines are yours--speed, strength, stamina and the desire to win. But they will have to come together as one, because you're about to participate in the most prestigious video sporting event in history.

THE ACTIVISION DECATHLON

**Conceived and designed by David Crane.

For one to four decathletes.** * 110-Metre Hurdles * Discus Throw * Long Jump * Pole Vault * Shot Put * Javelin Throw * 100-Metre Dash * 400-Metre Race * 1500-Metre Race * High Jump

(COMPOSITE SCREEN) * Decathlete is fully animated throughout all events. * Speed Gauge registers your relative running speed. * Real-Time Clock counts fractions of seconds to minutes. * Distance Markers are accurately positioned.

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Back of Box - 2600 (AUS)

T H E A G O N Y O F

VICTORY

Let's Begin at The End.

It's over. You've screamed, groaned and scratched your way through this thing they call the decathlon.

You're spent. Dead tired, and probably more than just a little astonished a mere "game" has done all this to you. You've gotten carried away. But, why?

Time Out.

In a word: adrenaline. You might call it the official sponsor of the 1984 Activision Decathlon. You know adrenaline. Quickens the pulse, reddens the face. It's that final kick. It's the stuff that seems to pump from your head not your heart. No decathlete could live without it. We knew that.

Programming C9H13NO3.

No easy task designing adrenaline into software. You start with gorgeous graphics. Almost a given. Then comes motion. Very fluid, very lifelike, truly authentic Olympic action for all ten events. Add an ingenious speed gauge, realistic track perspective, crowd cheers, time clocks, and of course, your competition. What you get, like spontaneous combustion, is raw adrenaline. It is in this box. It is what great gold medal winners feel. It is what you will feel. Especially if you win.

And of course, The Rewards

Winning is enough, we know. But, every now and again some token of recognition doesn't hurt. To wit: The Activision Gold, Silver and Bronze patches. They mean something. Check the scoring requirements inside to earn yours.

Give Your Hand a Hand.

Believe us. Your hand will take it on the chin. So grab the enclosed form and order your Official Decathlon Game Glove. It's promised to make life in the fast lane a little easier on the palms.

Final note: Even if you lose, you win: Something's special here. Some say a chance to compete. Maybe even the thrill of defeat. We just say, let these Games begin. And in a way, let them never, ever end.

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Box Flaps - 5200 (US)

The individual athletic disciplines are yours--speed, strength, stamina and the desire to win. They come together in the most prestigious video sporting event ever. Let the games begin!

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Back of Cassette Case - Commodore 64 (United Kingdom)

PURE ADRENALINE.

A PLACE YOU NEVER THOUGHT YOU'D BE. TEN LINES YOU'RE ACHING TO CROSS, FIRST.

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Comic book ad

Go for Gold using your speed and strength in this athletic spectacular.

Sur la Piste de l'Or en utilisant à la fois votre vitesse et votre force dans cette superproduction athlètique.

Streben Sie Gold in diesem spektakulären Wettkampf an, bei dem Sie Ihre Schnelligkeit und Kraft einsetzen müssen.

Consigue una medalla de oro utilizando tu rapidez y fuerza en este fascinante juego atlético.

Gareggiate per l'Oro usando la vostra velocità e forza in questo esempio spettacolare di atletica.

Ga op de gouden medaille ef Gebruik al uw snelheid en kracht in dit spectaculaire atletische evenement.

Gå efter guld ved at bruge fart og styrke i dette atletiske udstyrsstykke.

Source:

Back of Cas. Case (199 Range) - C64 (DE-DK-FR-IT-NL-SP-UK)