The Best Summer Olympics Video Games

As the Summer Olympic Games begin in Paris this is a great time to take a look back at some the best Olympic-themed retro video games. This is a category that's not typically known for—shall we say—high quality, but there are a few gems out there. Let's dive in!

DecAthlete (Sega Saturn, 1996)

DecAthlete for the Sega Saturn is a classic sports game that brings the excitement of the Olympic decathlon to the home console. Released in 1996, this game features a range of track and field events, such as the 100-meter dash, long jump, and pole vault. This is the Saturn we're talking about so it's all presented with remarkably vibrant graphics and smooth animation. Players can compete in each event individually or take on the full decathlon challenge, testing their skills across all ten disciplines. The game has intuitive controls and competitive gameplay, and the summer vibes are just perfect. If you haven't seen the game in action be sure to check out this longplay.

Tiny Toon Adventures: ACME All-Stars (Genesis, 1994)

Tiny Toon Adventures: ACME All-Stars for the Sega Genesis is a fast and fun sports game with characters from the Tiny Toon Adventures series. The game has sports like basketball, soccer, and obstacle courses, all infused with the show's signature humor and charm. This is just one of those perfect retro sports games to play on a summer weekend.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii, 2007)

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games was a 2007 Wii game that was legitimately good, which is a big accomplishment in this era when motion-controlled junk games were being pushed out like crazy. The game allows players to compete in a variety of Olympic events, including athletics, aquatics, and gymnastics. The graphics are a big part of the charm because it combines the worlds of Mario and Sonic and has that mid-2000s Wii look.