Sydney 2000 PlayStation

Sydney 2000 offers four modes of play including arcade, Olympic, head-to-head and coaching. Up to four players (human or computer-controlled) can participate in arcade and head-to-head modes. Each player can train or control a team of 12 virtual athletes for whichever nationality he or she chooses.

Arcade mode allows you to jump right into any one of the 12 events and test the waters without training your athletes. Two types of play are available: classic and repeat. In classic style, you play all 12 events only once while earning points based on performance in each. Repeat play offers basically the same format with the main difference being the chance to gain higher scores by replaying the events.

Olympic mode lets you train a team of 12 athletes, build strength and morale, sharpen skills and prepare for qualification at Olympic trials. This mode offers a 4-stage approach to reaching the goal of Olympic competition: training, invitation, championship, and then the Games themselves. Gymnastics and field and track are just a couple of the activities practiced in this mode.

In coaching mode, you are given training in a specific event and then allowed to practice your skills in a non-competitive environment with no breaks or interruptions. Coaching features a "ghost" mode that allows you to compete against your best performance and try to improve the skill.

The 12 events in Sydney 2000 include field and track, diving (10-meter platform), swimming (100-meter freestyle), skeet shooting, sprint cycling, kayaking (K1 slalom) and super heavyweight weight lifting. The 100-meter sprint, 110-meter hurdles, hammer throw, high jump, triple jump and javelin throw make up the field and track events

Other features include a virtual gym exercise with 20 activities that include arc interception, standing and bench press, dips, duck shoot, height depth jump, hurdle hops, leg press, light wall, medicine ball twist, press-ups, recoil control, pole climb, sit-ups, skipping, squats, starting pistol, standing stretch, treadmill and test your strength. Think you've got what it takes to go for the gold in Sydney 2000? ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide