Caveman Ugh-Lympics (Rerelease)
Copyright/Publisher: EA Star Performer/Electronic Arts/Dynamix, Music by: Alan McKean,
Producer: Don Traeger, Director: Jeff Tunnell, Designed By: Greg Johnson, Programming By:
Richard Rayl Jr., Darek Lukaszuk & Jon Leupp, Sound FX by: Bryce Morsello, Graphics: Brian
Mann, Darek Lukaszuk & Greg Johnson, Release Year: 1988, No Of Players: 1 to 6

Had enough of sleek, muscular athletes dominating multi-event sports games? Caveman Ugh-Lympics redresses the balance with hairy, fat and crude competitors - nut unlike our own Phil King (Hey I'm not that hairy - Phil). Up to six players can practise or compete in six prehistoric events, starting with Mate Toss (ahem!), in which you throw a cavewoman as far as possible.

Dinosaur Race and Firemaking are self explanatory; Dino Vault is an early form of pole vaulting, a carnivorous beast is the incentive for speed in Sabertooth Tiger Race, and Clubbing must involve getting drunk, dancing vary badly and chatting up giggling girlies. But doesn't, instead you must beat your opponent about the head with a big stick.

Caveman Ugh-Lympics' gratuitous violence and stone age humour suited the ZZAP! team of Issue 45 down the ground. They gave it 80% overall, Gordo Houghton finding it 'dead good fun' while Maff Evans found 'the whole thing entertaining and fun to play' but admitted that 'after a few games the humour began to rub off'.

Certainly this novelty game is at its prime during its first few plays: although on the blocky side and jerkily animated, sprites are big, bold and cartoon-like, and their antics are highly amusing.

The only weak event is the Dinosaur race and even when the humour wears off, Ugh-Lympics is still playable, especially when competing against friends in the Clubbing and Firemaking events.

Playing solo soon becomes boring if restricted to cassette - the multiload system is cumbersome - but if you've a disk drive and a few friends to join in the jovial Neanderthal action, Caveman Ugh-Lympics is a bargain.


INTRO SCREEN

OVERALL 79%