This page is a celebration of all the Winter Olympic-themed console games I have reviewed over the decades. Hopefully they will help you get into the olympic spirit for the upcoming games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy!

Winter Games (Epyx,1987)
System: Atari 2600
Grade: A

I showed this game to a friend recently, and he gasped "THIS is the ATARI 2600??" It looks that good! The graphics are smooth and colorful, and the characters are detailed and nicely animated. Winter Games begins with a nice rendition of the Olympic theme, and up to eight players (!) can choose countries to represent. Each of the seven events requires its own technique, and all provide challenge without requiring you to abuse your controller (*cough*Summer Games*cough*).

The action gets underway with a nice-looking but difficult Slalom event. The second event, Bobsled, provides an overhead view of a smoothly twisting track. The Ski Jump is yet another tough event that features a picture-in-picture close-up of your skier, whose body position needs to be carefully maintained. The Biathlon looks like the Slalom, but you need to synchronize your joystick with a heartbeat in order to make good time. This event also presents periodic "shooting range" screens that test your reflexes.

Speed-skating requires rhythmically moving the joystick, and it's the only event that lets two people compete head-to-head. Hot Dog is a ski acrobatics event where you perform combinations of ten different tricks. The final event, the Luge, is similar to the Bobsled, but allows the player to control his speed by braking. At the end of the game, the top three players are listed, but there's little fanfare. Overall, Winter Games is fun, challenging, and a fine showcase of 2600 graphics. I've seen this game on many systems, but this may be the most impressive.

Winter Games (Epyx,1985)
System: Commodore 64
Grade: C-

Continuing my trend of reviewing games just past the point of anyone caring (baseball after baseball season, football after football season, the WNBA at any point in time), I figured a solid week after the Sochi Olympics would be the best time to review Winter Games (No IOC trademark here! Any resemblance to actual Olympic events is purely coincidental.) Building on the success of Summer Games, Epyx takes the action to the colder climates and challenges the player to achieve the best score in any of seven winter-themed events.

You enter your name, choose a country to represent, watch the opening ceremony, and then it's off to the slopes. The graphics do a great job of conveying the feeling of playing winter sports and playing in my basement on a real life "snow day". I swear I felt a few degrees colder from looking at the screen than I did before I booted the game up. You begin with a trick-ski event called Hot Dog, where the object is to leave a downhill ramp, do as many varied tricks as possible, and then stick your landing.

Like most events, the timing of your joystick movements is crucial and landing correctly is an absolute bear! This event is followed by the biathlon (much better) and the incredibly weak and ponderous figure skating (just like the real Olympics!) Then there's the ski jump, speed skating, free skating, and finally bobsled.

You can compete in any single event, practice one event, or play through all seven in order. As I mentioned previously, the timing of your joystick is crucial to doing halfway decent in all of the events. Then again, if you're playing by yourself you're bound to get at least six gold medals no matter how poorly you perform, as there are no computer-controlled opponents. You can still shoot for "world records" though, and best scores get saved to disk for future generations to admire and worship you over.

Despite playing this during "the winter that doesn't want to end" and fresh off the actual Olympics, I had a hard time getting into Winter Games. The controls were just awkward and the weakest/lamest event (figure skating) effectively makes up two of the seven events. Why not include hockey or curling? I'd go back to see if I can get my name saved to disk for at least one event (preferably the biathlon), but there isn't much draw beyond that. Like most sports games of its time, Winter Games is much better if you have a human competitor, which would probably bump the score up to a B-.

Winter Games (Epyx,1987)
System: NES
Grade: D-

I've played some great versions of Winter Games on other consoles (like the Atari 7800), but this NES edition is a complete flop. There are only four events: hot dog, speed skating, figure skating, and bobsled. Heck, the Atari 2600 version had a better selection! The ski jumping and biathlon events are especially glaring in their absence, and only two players can compete at a time. After watching the uninspired opening ceremony (which looks suspiciously like the one in Summer Games), you begin with the hot dog competition.

The idea here is to jump off a ramp on skis and perform tricks in mid-air. Unfortunately, you're only in the air for a split-second so there's not much time to get creative. The second event, speed skating, isn't bad because it lets you go head-to-head with an opponent - the only event to do so! Next we have figure skating (ugh). Playing through one skating routine was the longest single minute I've ever had to endure.

As if the unresponsive controls weren't bad enough, jerky animation renders this one unplayable. Bobsled racing is the last event, and even this is boring! Don't bother looking at the big map of the course - just keep an eye on your sled. When it begins sliding up one side of the pipe, just push the other way to prevent it from tipping over.

Winter Games unceremoniously ends by returning you to the main menu, without even bothering to mention who won. High scores are recorded on world record screens, but I don't know if that was ever battery backed-up. The best thing about Winter Games is that it's over so quickly. Wow, this is really a half-hearted translation of what should have been a quality game.

Winter Games (Atari/Epyx,1987)
System: Atari 7800
Grade: A-

This Olympic-style title is even better than Summer Games, thanks to its bright, wintery conditions. You can almost feel the chill in the air! Only four events are included, but they're all winners. The first is the biathlon, which is a combination of cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. The key to this event is moving your skier's legs to the beat of the heart displayed in the lower corner.

The scenery is a winter wonderland of snow-covered evergreens, and the controls are nice and simple. On the downside however, the event runs a bit too long, to the point of feeling repetitive. Next up is speed skating, which is the only event that lets you go head-to-head against a friend. You'll need to move the joystick rhythmically to your skater's strides to reach maximum velocity.

The ski jump event is arguably the best of the bunch. As you take off and soar through the air, you need to constantly correct the position of your body to maintain balance and nail the landing. Points are awarded for both distance and style. The final event is the bobsled, and there really isn't much to it. You basically just steer in the opposite direction of turns to prevent the sled from tipping over. There's no closing ceremonies to wrap things up, and that's a shame because otherwise this is a stellar effort.

Winter Challenge (Tynesoft,1988)
System: Atari XEGS
Grade: C+

You might be wondering how this Olympic-style title compares to Epyx's iconic Winter Games (1985). Would you believe Winter Games was never even released for the Atari 8-bit machines? I guess that left the door wide-open for clones like this one. Winter Challenge is spread over four sides of two floppy disks. Needless to say, there's a heck of a lot of disk-swapping and loading required to play this.

After the obligatory opening "torch" screen you're prompted to enter the names for up to six players. You also have the option of selecting which of the five events you'd like to participate in. It's a great feature, because there's a good chance you'll hate at least one of them. You begin with downhill skiing which employs a behind-the-back view as you weave through trees and hop over logs.

The controls are intuitive but the scaling is rough, and during jumps it looks like you're barely lifting your feet! The key to the second event, ski jump, is to keep your skis parallel in the air so you can nail the landing. Your skier looks like a blue yeti, but I love the view of the trees and snowy village below. The biathlon event makes you wiggle the joystick to cross-country ski between screens, stopping periodically to shoot targets by guiding a wavering crosshair.

The scenery really steals the show with spectacular mountain peaks, bridges over tranquil streams, and gorgeous lake views. Be sure to take your time during the shooting phases, because the penalties for missed shots are severe. The next event, slalom, is tough for novices because it moves so fast. Even if you can avoid crashing into a wall, it's hard to tell what side of the flags you're supposed to be on! I guess that's what the "retry" option is for! Like most events, slalom is fun once you get the hang of it.

That can't be said for the final event however. Bobsled is positively yawn-inducing! The course feels like it's 600 miles long, and just the thought of running three heats is nauseating! There's no closing ceremony to conclude the games, just a simple medal standings display. Winter Challenge could have used more polish, but it does live up to its name, and its nicely illustrated scenery gives the game added appeal.

Olympic Winter Games Lillehammer 94 (US Gold,1993)
System: Genesis
Grade: D

I absolutely love the real Winter Olympic games, so I was totally psyched up to play this cartridge. I was expecting something like the old Winter Games (Atari 7800, 1987) with a 16-bit makeover, but Lillehammer failed to live up to my expectations. Although it gets the job done in terms of audio and visual, the controls are completely counterintuitive and the difficulty is excessive. This should have been a great game to stick in and play against a few friends, but it's practically unplayable.

The skiing events boast scenic evergreens and large skiers, but you can't see enough of the course ahead! It's too easy to miss a gate, and once you do, you're instantly disqualified. Adding insult to injury, the path of the ski trail is not well defined, so you'll often find yourself turning right into a bank of trees! And why in God's name is it so hard to steer?! Despite offering three selectable control schemes, guiding your skier takes a lot of practice.

The bobsled and luge events aren't as bad, but it's still entirely too easy to flip over as you creep up the banked turns. The ski jump, moguls, biathlon, and speed skating all look impressive, but you'll need to study the manual and practice like hell to be anywhere near proficient in them. That's the main problem with this game - it's too complicated.

On a positive note, Lillehammer features some excellent vintage 16-bit music, a nice opening ceremony, and a much-needed practice mode. U.S. Gold did us a favor by keeping the voice synthesis to a minimum, because the digitized sample at the beginning of the mogul event sounds like a rooster! All in all, Winter Olympic Games isn't a good "pick-up-and-play" title, but if you stick with it long enough, you may find something to like.

Winter Olympic Games: Lillehammer '94 (U.S. Gold,1993)
System: Game Gear
Grade: D+

The Genesis edition of Lillehammer '94 had its share of issues, and this portable version isn't much easier to swallow. I like Lillehammer's brisk pacing and snowy winter scenery, but the events are a constant struggle. The games begin with a brief opening ceremony. It's modest, but still more than I've seen from most modern Olympic titles. I'm kind of surprised that the USA isn't represented in this game.

Lillehammer contains four skiing events which are entirely too difficult. Faint blue lines in the snow indicate the proper direction, but it's really, really hard to stay within the gates. The steering controls are coarse and the gates are spaced too far apart (often outside your field of view). When turning, your skier flinches in a very disorienting manner. It's easy to run into a tree, or worse yet, come to a complete stop in the middle of the course! Hell, simply qualifying in a single ski event is a monumental achievement!

The bobsled and luge events offer impressive behind-the-sled views as you careen down the half-pipe, but your control is limited to making slight adjustments. Speed skating is one of the more exciting events as you tap buttons and jockey for position against three CPU-controlled skaters. The ski jump event is another highlight, combining simple controls and plenty of eye candy. The biathlon isn't inherently bad, but it wears out its welcome due to its length. The mogul skiing lets you perform stunts, but its overly-complex controls confounded me.

Not every event is a winner but there's enough variety and the CPU is no pushover. Instead of competing in all ten events, you have the option of selecting the specific ones you'd like to play, and that's a nice option for a portable title. Lillehammer '94 is too difficult for its own good, but being able to play an entire winter Olympics in under 20 minutes keeps the frustration factor to a minimum.

Alpine Games (Duranik,2004)
System: Lynx
Grade: A

I wasn't expecting much from Alpine Games but I got a lot. This late-arriving Lynx title is to winter what California Games (Epyx, 1989) is to summer! Alpine Games features first-rate graphics with athletes and scenery so real you'd think they were digitized. At first you're prompted for your initials, and you'll want to enter them because Alpine Games saves world records to eeprom!

The controls are easy to grasp and a nice glossy manual serves as a handy reference. The opening event is Biathlon where you press buttons alternately to move your legs to cross-country ski. There are guide meters at the bottom but it's hard to take your eyes off the snowy scenery. This is one beautiful game.

Next up is "snowboard rush" where you find yourself weaving around flags in a halfpipe. Although they're color-coded I always get confused about what side I need to pass them on. Freestyle Aerials (or Hot Dog as they used to call it) involves shooting off a ramp and performing tricks in mid-air. It's pretty easy if you can get off the ramp cleanly.

Speed skating is another rhythm game, and I couldn't help but notice ads for the Jaguar and Lynx ad banners in the background. Slalom offers an overhead view with an arrow pointing you to the next flag. Not much to see in this one. Snowboard halfpipe lets you perform tricks by quickly entering directional commands.

The ski jump event provides a somewhat alarming first-person perspective as you speed down a ramp at breakneck speeds. Fortunately it's not hard to nail the landing. Bobsled can be a little tricky to figure out, but that's what the practice mode is for. Wrapping things up is figure skating where you press button combinations to perform tricks to the tune of Billy Joel's Piano Man.

You can run through all of these events in well under a half hour. I wish it were easier to rank in, but that's just part of the challenge. You do however get an overall score at the end, allowing you to measure your progress. Alpine Games might just be the best homebrew I've ever played. I can't think of a better game to curl up with while stuck at home on a snowy day.

Winter Challenge (Ballistic,1992)
System: Genesis
Grade: D

I want to like Winter Challenge but I'm afraid its developers bit off more than they could chew. This is an Olympic-style game boasting a gorgeous snowy title screen with fun animations. Each tournament kicks off with an elaborate opening ceremony and I love the pomp and circumstance.

Winter Challenge supports up to ten players (!) and it's easy to set up any number of competitors, assigning names, nationalities, and even facial likenesses. The eight events can be played in any order, with progress and high scores saved to an "internal memory chip".

Winter Challenge is nothing if not ambitious, but the decision to render its courses with 3D polygons was unwise. The Genesis hardware just isn't up to the task, resulting in angular scenery and a non-existent sense of speed. The sluggish frame rate makes the action difficult to follow and the controls feel delayed.

These issues are glaring in the ski events. Trying to remain within the flags is especially hard when you can't even see where the trail is heading. The luge and bobsled events are a mystery as well. Kicking up less snow indicates you're on a good line, but it's hard to tell when the game wants you to stay in the center of the tube or run up on the sides.

Cross Country is as arduous as it is in real life. The course is very long and it's hard to tell if you're going uphill or down! Biathlon is basically the Cross Country course is reverse, stopping every so often to take aim at targets with a jittery crosshair.

Speed skating isn't bad if you can stay upright for the first few seconds without spinning out on your keyster. Ski Jump is harder than it should be. Why in the world would I need to steer in this event? It's hard to see where the end of the ramp is to time your jump. My dude looked jittery as hell flying through the air, so no surprise when he suffered a spectacular wipeout.

The good news is, with enough practice you'll learn how to compensate for the choppy visuals and laggy controls. Still, with nine friends I can't see this being any more than an exercise in mass bewilderment. Winter Challenge has its heart in the right place but would have been better suited to a next-generation console like the Playstation or Saturn.

Winter Heat (Sega,1997)
System: Saturn
Grade: A

When I pulled this game off my shelf recently, I could have sworn that I'd reviewed it before. Sure enough, upon loading it up and viewing the rankings, I saw high scores achieved by me and my friend Steve dated last February! That's right - not only does Winter Heat save the initials of the high score/world record holders, but records the dates as well! That's awesome.

Despite its age, Winter Heat stacks up to be the most enjoyable winter Olympics game ever made. There are eleven events, and only two buttons (speed and action) are required to play. The A and C buttons are both assigned to "speed", so you can tap them in tandem. Each event is preceded by some brief instructions, and the loading times are minimal. The events are so short, so it doesn't take long to play the entire circuit. Not only can you compete against up to six friends (via the multi-tap), but you can also play the game for high score.

The graphics are cheerful and bright, exuding a polished arcade look. The athletes include some huge Scandinavian dudes, but also some cute snow bunnies. The snow-covered trees and pixelated spectators look chunky, but the distant mountains look beautiful, and the look and feel of a frosty environment comes across well. Although the digital controls are somewhere harsh for events that require finesse, they are certainly responsive.

Events like the downhill and bobsled convey an exciting breakneck sense of speed. Several events allow two players to race at the same time, including speed skating, cross-country, and slalom. After the winner takes the podium, you're treated to highlights of his performance as the credits roll. High scores are saved automatically. Winter Heat is an outstanding Saturn title, and I really can't recommend this game enough to fans of winter sports.

Nagano Winter Olympics 98 (Konami,1998)
System: Playstation
Grade: C

Nagano Winter Olympics plays like a winter version of International Track and Field, and that is a very good thing. The events include Skiing, Speed skating, Short Track, Bobsled, Luge, Ski Jumping, Curling, and FreeStyle. While fun with four players, this game does have some glaring issues. First and foremost, the difficulty between events is wildly uneven. Qualifying for the ski events is an exercise in frustration, and it's worse in the multiplayer mode, since the runs are long and only one player can ski at a time. In fact, the only event that supports two-player simultaneous play is Speed Skating. The most oddball event here is curling (similar to bowling), but it's strategic quality provides a nice change of pace. I love the variety and winter scenery, but Nagano plods along too slowly and lacks the excitement of International Track and Field.

ESPN International Winter Sports 2002 (Disney,2002)
System: GameCube
Grade: D+

When I see an unwieldy name like "ESPN International Winter Sports 2002", I can only assume they couldn't get the Olympic license. Too bad! Winter Sports lets one or two players compete in events like alpine skiing, ski jumping, speed skating, bobsleigh, half-pipe, figure skating, and curling. This isn't a remarkable game by any stretch, but it's not a dud either. The pacing is brisk and you have to love the snowy landscapes with their rolling hills and ice-encrusted evergreen trees.

You select the specific events you want to compete in, which is always a nice option. Each is preceded by an explanation screen which explains the controls well but tends to drag on for a little too long. The events tend to be more difficult than they need to be. The skiing events look great, but it's hard to make tight turns and missing a single gate instantly disqualifies you!

The ski jump event really isn't that hard, but the elaborate set of gauges on the screen will make you feel like landing the freakin' space shuttle! The curling event is pretty long and tedious, but it does offer a strategic aspect the other events lack. Figure skating will only appeal to girls, and since girls don't play video games, it won't appeal to anybody.

You might expect Winter Sports 2002 to be a good multiplayer title, but that's not the case due to its learning curve. Even the simpler events typically require several attempts before you really get the hang of them. There is however one event that really stands out above the rest, and that's bobsled. When played solo, you navigate a rollercoaster-like pipe complete with speed boost strips! In two-player mode the game is played on a split-screen with both players racing on the same track! It's not realistic at all, but it's a blast to jockey with a friend at high speeds.

Winter Sports 2002 is a quirky title. The menu screens feature disco music and the A button is referred to as the "decide" button. The game could definitely be more playable, but there's something to be said for its short events and inviting scenery.

Salt Lake 2002 (Eidos,2002)
System: Playstation 2
Grade: D

Salt Lake 2002 does a fine job of conveying the pageantry and spirit of the Winter Olympic games, although the scale feels a lot smaller. Its opening ceremony showcases a huge flame platform being lit as snow and fireworks fill the sky. Throughout the competition you get all kinds of nifty camera angles of the crowds, production scaffoldings, and winter scenery. I love how the snowflakes really stand out against the lights at night.

There are six events: downhill skiing, ski jumping, snowboarding, freestyle aerials, slalom skiing, and two-man bobsleigh. You may have noticed a complete lack of any skating events. It's a pretty glaring omission! The load screens display the controls for each upcoming event, so pay attention!

The first event, Downhill skiing, is moderately fun as you glide over rolling hills with breathtaking views of mountains in the distance. Unfortunately, missing a single flag abruptly disqualifies you from the entire event - no second try! That's pretty unforgiving for the beginner skill level! It's bad enough my hopes and dreams were dashed, but then you get the commentators piling on: "This is an absolute disaster for this young man".

As you can imagine, multiplayer didn't go over very well. Repeatedly seeing DNF (Did Not Finish) really demoralized my friends! One time I completed what appeared to be a perfect run and still didn't qualify! The next few events are a mess. The ski jump controls are confusing and the snowboarding has an unappealing "parallel slalom" format.

Freestyle aerials is the one event with music, and the band sounds like an Offspring knock-off. Tricks are executed by pressing buttons sliding across the bottom of the screen, not unlike a musical game. In slalom you rapidly zig-zag between flags, and unlike the other events you can screw up as many times as you want; the game immediately places you back on track. The final event, two-man bobsleigh, provides an exciting first-person perspective as you careen through the icy tube.

The uneven quality of events means you tend to end up with a gold medal or a DNF - there's no middle ground. The good news is, you can complete the entire Olympics in about 15 minutes. You can select your events and I like how records and players profiles are auto-saved. Salt Lake 2002 may have been a rush job. It doesn't look bad but its events could use a lot more fine-tuning.

Salt Lake 2002 (Ubisoft,2002)
System: Game Boy Advance
Grade: C

Game Boy Advance titles tend to have an old-school style, and Salt Lake 2002 calls to mind fold memories of Winter Games (Commodore 64, 1985). There are six events and the game makes it pretty easy to pick which ones you want to compete in. The first event is ski jump. It's simple to play and I love the semi-digitized graphics of evergreen trees, mountains, and spectators in the stands. The countdown seems long until you realize you can begin your descent at any time. You just take off, maintain your balance, and stick the landing.

Next up is curling, which might be the best video game adaption I've played of the sport. That's saying something considering it's 2D! The sport involves sliding round stones onto a bullseye, using brooms to control the direction and speed of each stone. The controls are streamlined but there's still plenty of strategy. At four rounds this event runs a bit long, but you can always press B to skip the CPU's turn.

The third event is Bobsleigh which provides a behind-the-sled view as you rumble down the chute. There's little sense of speed, but ample sense of boredom. The final three events: skiing, snowboarding, and slalom, are nearly ruined by a camera angle that's way too close. It's hard to judge the bounds of the course much less navigate the flags. And one miss means you're disqualified.

The medal ceremonies look funny; the athletes are painted head-to-toe the color of their flag, as if all were all members of the Blue Man Group. Salt Lake's bright semi-digitized graphics are easy on the eyes and the musical score captures the majestic spirit of the Olympics. It's a shame this is a one-player only game because a few of these events would have been fun to play head-to-head.

Torino 2006 (2K Sports,2005)
System: Playstation 2
Grade: B

Like the classic Winter Games (Atari 7800, 1987), Torino is a solid collection of Winter Olympic mini-games. For $20 this is a serious bargain. Some of these events are actually good enough to stand on their own. Torino's graphics are superb, featuring lifelike athletes, detailed environments, and harrowing camera angles. The TV-style presentation is a little rough, but the controls are well designed and easy to grasp. Most events only use one or two buttons, and you're often prompted right on the screen.

The skiing events (Slalom, Giant Slalom, Downhill, and Super G) are the best of the bunch, conveying a thrilling sensation of speed as you weave through the gates. The ski jump is also visually stunning, as you begin with a jaw-dropping view of the Olympic village from the top of a vertigo-inducing hill. Like the real thing, it's fun to watch athletes "wipe out" in this event.

Bobsled and Luge utilize a first-person view, and it looks amazing as you careen through the banked turns at dizzying speeds. The speed skating and biathlon events are a bit tedious by nature, but still worth playing. Each game location is nicely detailed and surrounded by a crowd of spectators (although they are rather sparse).

One weak aspect of Torino is the clueless two-man commentator team, which is usually at a loss for words and rarely says anything worth hearing. In the ski events, it's not uncommon to hear this insightful exchange: "And he's off to a fine start!" "Well, it could have been better." "Of course, there's always room for improvement." And check out this scintillating discourse heard during a bobsled run: "Touches the edge!" "Slightly touches the edge." "Touched the edge." "Yes, but only slightly." I love it when they harshly criticize my speed skating run just before announcing my first place finish.

One less amusing aspect of the game is its long load screens between events. You'd think they could at least display a run-down of the controls on those things, but no. The medal ceremonies after each event are pretty boring and you'll quickly learn to skip them. Best times are recorded for all of the events, but an auto-save function is badly needed. And while up to four players can compete, they'll all need to share one controller, and there's no split-screen action.

You can configure the game to play all 15 events, the nine core events (my preference), or pick and choose to create your own list. The bottom line is that my friends and I had a great time competing against each other in Torino 2006. The games are easy to learn but their subtle nuances are tough to master. If you have any interest whatsoever in winter sports, you should definitely pick up this game.

Torino 2006 (2K Sports,2006)
System: Xbox
Grade: B+

Oddly enough, the new Vancouver 2010 (PS3, 2010) winter olympic game has given me renewed appreciation for Torino 2006. Torino offers a no-nonsense user interface that lets you play the full 15 events, a shorter 9-event competition, or customize your own. The load times are quick and the graphics are first-rate.

The ski and bobsled events convey a nice sensation of speed, giving you that "almost-out-of-control" feeling that's exciting. The camera zooms in at the tightest possible angle, making you feel right on top of the action. The rolling ski slopes look inviting, and while those blinking arrows look gaudy as hell, they clearly indicate where the gates are. The ski events require a lot of finesse but speed skating focuses on timing. The ski jump is exhilarating, and the bobsleds have a real sense of momentum as you careen through the icy bank turns. Best of all, I could easily play all of these without the benefit of reading instructions or sitting through a boring tutorial! The controls are displayed on the screen as you play, and the system works remarkably well.

Only the biathlon event suffers from non-intuitive controls. The target-shooting element is simple enough, but that circular meter that monitors your cross-country stamina is confusing! Best scores are recorded along with your initials, and these are easily viewable from the main menu. Torino lacks the fanfare of opening or closing ceremonies, but its bright white scenery looks great and the lighted night events look especially good. The athletes are realistically animated, but I find it a bit odd how about half of the athletes are black! Up to four players can participate, but having to share the same controller is a pain. All in all, Torino 2006 offers a pretty solid all-around Olympic experience.

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Sega,2009)
System: Wii
Grade: B-

As a gamer who loves the Winter Olympics, this should have been my dream game. Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games packs plenty of wintry competition, but its overbearing user interface is awful!

The skiing, snowboarding, and ski jump events are just as I had hoped - fleshed-out versions of the mini-games in Wii Fit. The bobsleigh and skeleton events are amusing because you can control them by sitting on the balance board. At long last, I can finally say that I played a game with my ass! Hockey is chaotic but exciting in a Mario Strikers Charged (Wii, 2007) kind of way. The figure skating is a little silly (especially when your character is a gorilla), but hey, chicks dig that kind of stuff. Curling is a slow-paced strategy game that's much different from the other events.

The controls are generally intuitive, but you'd never know from the convoluted instruction screens. Each event has up to four sub-menus of instructions to wade through! The events tend to be short and sweet, but you're forced to page through endless set-up and results screens. Especially when playing with four players, you'll constantly yelling "press A somebody!" The game does make good use of the split-screen when playing against friends, but since certain characters have specific attributes (Sonic is extra fast, Donkey Kong is strong), one particular player often has a noticeable advantage. The CPU doesn't provide much of a challenge.

The unlockable "dream events" should have been called "nightmare events". "Dream skiing" is reminiscent of those out-of-control Sonic Adventure stages where you whiz through loops and get bounced all over the place, and "dream ski jump" uses leftover scenery from Mario Galaxy. Not only do these over-the-top variations feel totally out of place, but they are not particularly fun.

In addition to competing in individual events, you can participate in a 16-day "festival" mode that creates a full-scale tournament out of random events. This gives Winter Games plenty of replay value, and I like being able to save my progress at any time. Too bad you're forced to participate in all those super-easy "training" events. An obligatory "party mode" is also included, but its game-show format is painfully tedious. The balance board works extremely well, so why can't it be used in the multi-player or festival mode? Winter Games is one of those titles that only manages to be fun in spite of itself!

Winter Sports 2008 (RTL,2007)
System: Playstation 2
Grade: B+

If you take the winter Olympics game Torino 2006 (PS2, 2005), toss in a few new events, and slap a budget price tag on it, you're left with Winter Sports 2008. Sure it's a rehash, but it's also one heck of a good deal! One to four players can compete in realistic winter Olympic action including alpine skiing, bobsledding, ski jumping, and speed skating. It's ideal for a beer-fueled, smack-talking rivalry between friends, but only if you set up the game right.

First, be sure to select the 7-event competition over the 15-event option. The 15-event competition includes the slower events, and with players taking turns (sharing the same controller no less), it can take forever. Next, be sure to turn off those worthless, time-consuming medal ceremonies. Finally, make sure each player enters his initials, because the game saves high scores and records.

Most of the events are not only fun, but exceptionally easy on the eyes. The simple controls are indicated on the screen at the start of each run, and you'll get the hang of them after a wipeout or two. The sensation of speed is excellent, especially in the skiing and bobsled events. And when you gaze down from the top of the towering ski jump platform, it's quite a sight. The mountain backdrops look nearly photographic, and at night the lighted villages look incredible.

Winter Sports is fun but could have been better. Some events have two heats and lengthy runs, causing them to wear out their welcome. It would be nice if a few events were truly head-to-head (like speed skating), and having to share a single controller is bogus. The figure skating event has a nice rhythmic control scheme that captures the grace and fluidity of the sport, but why do the skaters have powder on their faces?

Curling is the slowest, most strategic event, and the fact that its control scheme includes a fast-forward button should tell you something. Cross-country skiing tends to be long and arduous, although the bright scenic countryside almost makes it worthwhile. The athletes are realistically animated, but why are all the members of my German team black?

I could do without Winter Sports' grinding guitar soundtrack, which would be more appropriate in an "extreme sports" title. I did enjoy the lighthearted two-man commentary, especially with the dry English humor. Winter Sports offers several solo modes including the obligatory "career" mode. Fun to play and occasionally breathtaking, Winter Sports 2008 is an excellent bargain if you're into seasonal sports.

Vancouver 2010 (Sega,2010)
System: Playstation 3
Grade: C

I was pretty stoked about this new winter Olympics title, but ultimately dismayed by the way Sega handled it. Vancouver 2010 gets off to a rocky start by warning players that certain features are only available on-line, including the ability to view your records. Perhaps "Vancouver Online" would have been more fitting, as the game displays blatant disdain for off-line players.

Before you do anything, be sure to turn off the music from the options menu, because it really doesn't mesh with the Olympic theme. Before competing, each player must select a country and enter his name. That's fair, but the screen that facilitates this is the epitome of poor software design! My friends and I must have accidentally exited to the main menu about six times before getting it right.

Unlike classic Olympic titles like Winter Games (Atari 7800, 1987), Vancouver 2010 feels terribly disjointed. There are no opening or closing ceremonies, and this lack of pageantry detracts from the overall experience. It's a shame, because the events themselves are pretty good! Prior to each you have the option of participating in a brief interactive tutorial. The control scheme is intelligent, the camera angles are optimal, and split-screen is used where applicable.

Downhill skiing is a blast, offering breathtaking views as you careen down the slopes and navigate the winding course with pinpoint control. The sensation of speed is enhanced by blur effects, you can almost feel the wind resistance! The only thing that sucks are those annoying beeps indicating you're running behind the leader (as if I didn't know that!) The slalom events are trickier, mainly because it can be tough to see the flags.

The snowboarding events are very similar to skiing, but incorporate a jumping aspect. The ski jump event has a myriad of gauges that effectively convey the subtle nuances of the sport. The women's speed skating and aerial events have learning curves that limit their fun. You might expect the bobsled, luge, and skeleton to be the most exciting events, but in fact you'll tire of them quickly. Each requires two lengthy runs, and all occur on the same track.

Once all the events are completed, you are unceremoniously kicked back to the main menu. Although Vancouver clearly tracks high scores per profile ("it's a new personal best!"), there's no way to view these records off-line, and that really stinks. Sega's Winter Heat (Saturn 1997) let you view records locally, but I guess Sega lost the technology. A challenge mode offers mini-games like hitting snowmen on a slalom course or reaching a certain speed in bobsled, but it didn't hold my interest. Vancouver 2010 offers some impressive visuals and exciting multiplayer action, but Sega needs to get its act together and focus on making games that are fun for everybody.

Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games (Nintendo,2013)
System: Wii U
Grade: D+

Whenever I try to play Mario and Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games with friends, it's just a confusing mess. Setting up the game is a pain in the ass. You never know what controller to use or if you're supposed to look at the TV or the control pad. Depending on the mode, you may or may not get an explanation of the controls. Each player is besieged with annoying, unnecessary prompts like "aim at the screen and click A", "touch the control pad to continue", or "lay your Wii-mote face down... again!" Press A to continue. Press A to continue. How many buttons do I need to press just to play a [expletive] event?! It seems any glimmer of fun is promptly snuffed out by the horrifically over-engineered user interface.

Your best bet is the Legends Showdown mode which lets one player methodically work through all the events while earning points and unlocking stuff. The polished visuals feature soft rolling ski slopes and sparkly indoor arenas at a location that's clearly not Sochi. Some events are moderately fun. Tilting the Wiimote to ski down the slopes works well, and rhythmically waving it from side-to-side effectively propels your speed skater. The bobsled and skeleton events convey a palpable sense of momentum, and I love the sound of grinding ice coming from the control pad. The curling event combines skill and strategy and is probably the highlight of the entire game!

Many events are poorly designed. The Biathlon forces the player to needlessly switch between the Wiimote and control pad. I have no idea how to land my jumps in slopestyle, and there are no instructions to fall back on. The idea of catching wind drifts during the ski jump event is almost as idiotic as having to strike a pose during the landing! And watching my favorite Nintendo characters parade around during a fabulous figure skating spectacular makes me want to barf! Worst of all are the "fantasy" events which include a blatant rip-off of Star Wars pod racing. What in the [expletive] is that doing in the winter Olympics?!

The auto-save works well, but I wish the game would stop pestering me about uploading my records to the internet (for the last time - [expletive] no!). Mario and Sonic at the Sochi Winter Games packs plenty of content and there is definitely some light-hearted fun to be had. Sadly, you'll have to dig deep for the good stuff and wrestle with the annoying user interface every step of the way.

Winter Games 2023 (Wild River,2022)
System: Nintendo Switch
Grade: B

Don't let its generic cover and budget price scare you; Winter Games 2023 is very, very good. I'd rate its stylish graphics as about PS3 quality with smooth white slopes, beautiful evergreens, and icy blue shadows creeping in. I love the soothing techno beats but that weak commentator has got to go! ("What a great day. Thanks to all the athletes...")

You can play the ten events individually or compete in various cups. High scores are not only recorded by skill level, but by individual players as well! I'm kind of mad my Switch limits you to eight profiles! Before each event you have the option of viewing the instructions by pressing X, but if you miss them you can usually get by by following the on-screen prompts.

Biathlon has you cross-country skiing through a scenic forest with some occasional target shooting. After about a minute my impatient friend Sudz exclaimed, "Okay, when do I get to shoot somebody?!" Curling is a sophisticated game of both skill and strategy. Despite accidentally bypassing the instructions, I was able to figure it out and it played beautifully. Both of these events clock in at under ten minutes, which is pretty sweet.

Downhill skiing and Super G convey an exhilarating sense of unbridled speed with simple shoulder button controls. Speed skating on the other hand threw me for a loop. I couldn't get into the rhythm or figure out the balance meter around the corners. Nothing's more embarrassing than getting lapped and then having to skate your final lap through a crowd of celebrating skaters!

Skeleton and Women's Bobsled both take place in a tube that runs through a quaint winter village at night. I love the cozy atmosphere under the lights! The sense of speed while careening down the tube is breakneck, punctuated by blur and vibration effects. Along the way you get glimpses of beautiful lights and snow-covered trees.

Ski Cross puts four skiers on the same course, navigating turns and jumping ramps. The jump-and-land controls are confusing. I want to tap A to jump, but the game wants me to hold it in. Snowboard Cross is very similar but more forgiving. Ski jump places you on top of one of those tall ramps, looking down at your doom. I like the shaking, nearly out-of-control feeling as you fly down the ramp, and the wipeouts are fun to watch.

Winter Games 2023 offers four-player split-screen whenever applicable. My biggest gripe is its ridiculously long load screens. I have discs that load faster! The single-player experience is tempered by no unlockables or world records to pursue. Of course, you can always try to beat your own personal records. If you're looking for some no-nonsense seasonal fun during an Olympic off-year, Winter Games 2023 has got you covered.

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