An all time classic, Track & Field, known as Hyper Olympic in Japan and Europe, is an Olympic-inspired sports video game created by Konami and launched as an arcade game in 1983. In Europe, the game was first released as Hyper Olympic in 1983, then rebranded as Track & Field in early 1984.

Gamers participate in a variety of sporting events, many of which require rapidly pressing two buttons to help the character move faster on the screen. The game is set up in a side-scrolling format, showing one or two tracks, a scoreboard with world records and current runs, and a lively crowd in the background.

The games simplistic controls yet steep difficulty curve made it an instant success, pushing it to becoming one of the most successful arcade games of 1984. Konami/Centuri even organised a Track & Field competition that attracted over 1 million players.

Using the two buttons to run, hit in an alternating pattern and a single action button, players compete in six events:

• 100m Dash

• Long Jump

• Javelin

• 110m Hurdles

• Hammer Throw

• High Jump

These consist of varying degrees of button bashing and timing and players must hit the qualifying criteria to progress.

Track & Field can be played by up to four players, although only two can play at any one time.

Track & Field and its sequel Hyper Sports spawned an entire genre of sports games that utilised similar mechanics.