California Games

GamePro (US) (5 out of 5) (100%)

Hey gamers, whether you're a California dude or not this game's cool. It looks awesome and plays great, and, like, it's got stuff in it that you're not gonna see anywhere else! So hit the beach, or hit California Games!

Mean Machines (91 out of 100) (91%)

California Games must rank as one of the greatest multi-event sports simulations ever written - and this Megadrive is the best version yet seen! It's a graphical tour-de-force, with superbly animated sprites and splendid backdrops, and it plays like a dream. Each event is a brilliant mini-game in its own right, with beautifully weighted playability that's easy enough to get into but is challenging enough to allow experts to learn and perform tricks that let them attain seemingly impossible scores (can anyone top my 427,00 record on the footbag?). The only disappointing aspect is that the Frisbee event that appeared in other versions is missing - but since it was by far the weakest event, it's not a major issue. Obviously, California Games is best appreciated with multiple players, but even as a single-player game I think it's enjoyable, addictive and challenging enough to make it a priority purchase.

Computer and Video Games (CVG) (87 out of 100) (87%)

The five events may not sound like much, but each has its own appeal and can be thought of as a separate game. Sound-wise, this cart is reasonable, I mean the tunes are brilliantly done, but they're kind of depressing and don't really suit the game. Learning the different control methods for each event is fun and a different talent is required for each sport. Some need speed, some need rhythm, but all need a laid back Californian attitude. California Games is a brilliant title, but ultimately dull for one player.

Consolemania (83 out of 100) (83%)

Va beh, tutto sommato CG resta sempre un buon gioco, consigliato a tutti gli sportivi e agli amanti della California.

Joystick (French) (82 out of 100) (82%)

Si les graphismes de California Games sont sympas, les animations des divers protagonistes et des divers sportifs de cette simulation sont très agréables. Chacun des différents niveaux est accompagné d'une musique guillerette qui colle parfaitement avec l'épreuve en cours. Peut-être un petit peu trop répétitif, lorsqu'on y joue tout seul, California Games devient nettement plus intéressant quand on y participe à plusieurs. Sous cette condition, je vous assure que les éclats de rires sont au rendez-vous.

Games-X ( ) (80%)

California Games is, and always will be, one of those classic games that, if it has been converted well, is bound to be successful. Thankfully, the Mega Drive version is faithful to the original, with noticeable improvements graphically. It's a shame that there are so few events but overall a great cart for the 16-bit Sega.

Video Games (78 out of 100) (78%)

Großartig! Die Sega-Programmierer haben den alten Epyx-Klassiker prima rausgeputzt. Die Grafik nutzt das Mega Drive schön aus, die Animationen sind fließend und die Spiele machen einfach Spaß. Gegenüber der Computerversionen wurden kleine Details addiert und die langweiligste Disziplin (Frisbee) herausgenommen. California Games ist ein echter Party-Knaller; da bis zu neun Leute an einem Turnier teilnehmen können, sind auch große Freundeskreise schnell versorgt. Die einzelnen Disziplinen sind nicht zu schwer, aber haben genug Tiefe, um zu fesseln.

Play Time (72 out of 100) (72%)

Die Grafik ist im Gegensatz zum C64 natürlich ein Genuß und kann sich wirklich sehen lassen. Auch alle Soundeffekte und Musikstücke wurden gut in das Spiel eingepaßt. Doch macht man sich schließlich näher mit CG vertraut, so ist nicht nur auffällig, daß die Disziplin „Flying Disc“ unter den Softwareteppich gekehrt wurde, auch die Steuerung der jeweiligen Akteure ist sehr „gewöhnungsbedürftig“ und läßt einfach nicht den richtigen Spielspaß aufkommen.

Retro Archives (12.5 out of 20) (62%)

Offrant une jouabilité remaniée par rapport à la plupart des autres versions, le portage de California Games sur Megadrive déroutera autant les habitués qu’il comblera les néophytes, qui bénéficieront d’épreuves globalement moins frustrantes que sur C64, à condition d’avoir le manuel à portée de main. La disparition d’une épreuve, en revanche, est inexcusable.

Sega-16.com (6 out of 10) (60%)

There's not really much else to say about California Games that hasn't already been mentioned about the multiple other versions out there. Despite not being as good as many of them, the Genesis edition is still worth playing, especially since it can be had for so little money. I sometimes wish the sequel had been given a chance on Sega's black box, but after thinking about what happened to this version, perhaps one trip to California is more than enough.

Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) (18 out of 40) (45%)

This game is OK for somebody who has never played a version of this.

Video Game Critic, The (D-) (16%)

California Games sizzled on the 8-bit systems but fizzled on 16-bit machines.