On Your Marks... Get Set... Go! (International Track & Field (DS))

Member Name: SWSt

Product:	International Track & Field (DS)
Date:	21/09/09 (41 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Plenty of events to choose from, good graphics and sound, multi-player option

Disadvantages: Some weak events, slightly awkward controls

New International Track and Field on the DS is an update of a classic 80s arcade game that I spent far too much money on in the past. It sees you competing in a range of standard Olympic events, such as Javelin, shot put and 110 metre hurdles. In order to qualify for the next event, you have to achieve a certain time or distance. Fail and it's Game Over, Man.

One of the strengths of New International Track and Field (NITF from now on) is the huge variety of events - 24 in total - in which you compete, together with a range of different game modes. You can practice individual events or tackle them in sequence. Good performance is rewarded by progression to the next level and, to keep interest levels up, there are extra awards and features to unlock. Extra characters, costumes and cups can be won to keep you coming back to the single player mode. There are world records and personal bests to aim for, so that even when you master an event, there's always the challenge of trying to beat your best time or furthest distance, adding an extra element of compulsion to the game.

Inevitably, with such a variety of events, some are more enjoyable than others. There are some which I really enjoy playing, others which I just have to do to be allowed to get to the next one. Obviously, favourite events are a matter of personal choice, but there are one or two (such as diving) which I really hate having to do. It's a shame you have to follow a fairly restrictive path and can't choose your favourite events to build up your own tournament. Still, for the occasional weaker events, there are plenty of others that will keep you coming back for more.

Where NITF really comes into its own, though, is in the online mode and there has clearly been a lot of thought given to this. There's obviously something far more satisfying about competing against other people, rather than the computer controlled characters. The game can be played wirelessly (from a single cartridge) against other DS users meaning you don't all have to buy a copy of the game. I believe you can also go online to compete against complete strangers, although I've never done this. This adds a tremendous extra dose of fun - particularly when you are in the same room as your human opponent and can hurl insults at each other. Unfortunately, when using a single cartridge, the loading times for events are pretty slow so it can be a slightly frustrating experience. On some of the shorter events, you feel as though you are spending up to a minute waiting for just 20 seconds or so of game playing action.

The graphics in NITF are the kind you either love or hate. The events venues (running tracks, swimming pools etc.) are fairly bland, although quite colourful. The characters on the other hand are cartoony. Rather than aiming for the realism of most sports games, NITF deliberately goes for a quirky, almost manga look. The characters all have very oversized heads, which I find a little disturbing somehow. The animation on some of the characters (personal warm-up routines, celebrations etc.) can also be annoying, although younger players will probably find them funny.

Sound is also functional. There's a fun reworking of the Chariots of Fire theme from the original Track and Field game, together with various bright and chirpy tunes, which you will either find endearing or annoying. In-game effects are limited to cheering crowds, the bang of the starter pistol and the thud of running feet, but to be honest this is all the game really needs. It's both atmospheric and suitably nostalgic for those of us old enough to remember the original.

One of the issues with the Track and field games has always been the controls and the DS version doesn't entirely resolve this. You can either use the stylus and the touch screen or the built in buttons on the DS. At the start of each event there is a brief tutorial for that event, which is a good way of learning, without slowing down the action. On the whole, the controls are well implemented and fairly straightforward to pick up, but there are issues whichever method you choose.

Using the stylus and touch screen method, you have to rub the stylus vigorously along a power bar to build up speed. The faster you rub, the faster you will run. This method is probably the easiest to use, but not one I would recommend long term. Inevitably, when using this method, you have to press quite hard on the screen to ensure that it registers your movement. After just a few events, I started to notice some scratch marks appearing on the screen on my precious DSi.

The alternative will immediately be familiar to anyone who has played the original game. Press the A and B buttons on your DS as fast as you can to build up speed, and use other buttons for actions such as jumping or throwing. Whilst this makes the game true to the spirit of the original, it can also cause issues. Due to the small size of the DS, the buttons are quite close together; using them for such a fast paced game where timing is critical can be awkward and feel a little cramped. It's too easy for your finger to slip off the A or B button at a critical moment. It also suffers because, unless you are playing the game on a firm surface, pressing the buttons rapidly can cause your DS to shake violently. This is a problem in events such as the javelin or long jump, where precision is required as well as speed. The DS can be shaking so much that it's hard to see when you are meant to jump or throw, resulting in much frustration as you commit a foul.

Both control methods are pretty exhausting and you'll soon find yourself massaging your hand between events to try and get some feeling back. This has always been a problem with the Track & Field series, so again, you could argue NITF is capturing the spirit of the original! Some of the events may also be a little too tricky for younger children to master, and lead to them getting bored quite quickly - even older gamers may get frustrated if they keep failing at a particular event and being sent back to the beginning of that section. For these reasons, this is a game I tend to play in short bursts, rather than prolonged periods.

A fun and entertaining DS title (particularly when played against other people), but not an essential purchase by any means.

© Copyright SWSt 2009

Summary: A blast from the past for us oldies, but a fun enough game for newbies