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Kirby's Dream Land

2025-10-12T22:33:28Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:59F1:25A1:BA62:805:

{{Short description|1992 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Kirby's Dream Land
| image = File:Kirbys-dream-land-gameboy-boxart.png
| caption = European box art
| developer = [[HAL Laboratory]]
| publisher = [[Nintendo]]
| producer = Makoto Kanai
| director = [[Masahiro Sakurai]]
| programmer =
| artist = Masahiro Sakurai<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201705/17132636.html|title=桜井政博氏が語る、初代『星のカービィ』開発秘話。当時の企画書に、あのゲームの原点があった？|website=ファミ通.com|date=May 17, 2017 |language=ja|access-date=December 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220131751/https://www.famitsu.com/news/201705/17132636.html|archive-date=December 20, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
| composer = [[Jun Ishikawa (composer)|Jun Ishikawa]]
| series = ''[[Kirby (series)|Kirby]]''
| platforms = [[Game Boy]]
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|April 27, 1992<ref name="fam-rev" />|NA|August 1992<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/dmg_games.pdf |publisher=Nintendo of America |title=Game Boy (original) Games |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402190758/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/dmg_games.pdf |archive-date=April 2, 2016 }}</ref>|PAL|August 3, 1992{{fact|date=August 2025}}}}
| genre = [[Action game|Action]], [[Platformer|platform]]
| modes = [[Single-player]]
}}

{{nihongo foot|'''''Kirby's Dream Land'''''|星のカービィ|Hoshi no Kābī|{{lit}} "Kirby of the Stars"|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1992 [[action game|action]]-[[platformer|platform game]] developed by [[HAL Laboratory]] and published by [[Nintendo]] for the [[Game Boy]]. It is the first game in the [[Kirby (series)|''Kirby'' series]] and marks the debut of [[Kirby (character)|Kirby]]. It introduced many conventions that would appear in later games in the series. The game follows Kirby as he goes through five [[Level (video games)|level]]s to retrieve the Sparkling Stars and food of Dream Land from King Dedede.

''Kirby's Dream Land'' was the debut game of designer [[Masahiro Sakurai]]. He intended it to be a simple game that could be easy to pick up and play by those unfamiliar with [[action game]]s. For more advanced players, he offered additional optional challenges such as a hard mode and the ability to edit Kirby's maximum [[Health (gaming)|HP]] and starting number of [[Life (gaming)|lives]]. ''Kirby's Dream Land'' was re-released on the [[Nintendo 3DS]] via the [[Virtual Console]] in 2011;<ref>{{cite web|last=Sahdev|first=Ishaan|date=June 27, 2011|url=https://www.siliconera.com/kirbys-dream-land-to-awaken-on-3ds-virtual-console/|title=Kirby's Dream Land To Awaken On 3DS Virtual Console|website=Siliconera|access-date=October 11, 2024}}</ref> it is also one of the games included in the compilation game ''[[Kirby's Dream Collection]]'' for the [[Wii]], released to celebrate the series' 20th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|last=Thomas|first=Lucas M.|date=June 21, 2012|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/22/iwata-announces-kirby-collection-details|title=Iwata Announces Kirby Collection Details|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=October 11, 2024}}</ref> The game was included as part of the [[Nintendo Classics]] service in February 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Plant |first=Logan |date=2023-02-08 |title=Nintendo Switch Online Adding Game Boy and Game Boy Advance Games |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-switch-online-game-boy-games |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=October 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020042248/https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-switch-online-game-boy-games |url-status=live }}</ref> The game was the highest grossing in the series, with 5,130,000 copies sold, until being beaten out 30 years later by ''[[Kirby and the Forgotten Land]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Leston|first=Ryan|date=November 9, 2022|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/kirby-and-the-forgotten-land-has-reportedly-become-the-best-selling-game-in-the-franchise|title=Kirby and the Forgotten Land Has Reportedly Become the Best-Selling Game in the Franchise|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=October 11, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Reynolds|first=Ollie|date=November 8, 2022|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/11/kirby-and-the-forgotten-land-is-now-the-best-selling-kirby-game-ever|title=Kirby And The Forgotten Land Is Now The Best-Selling Kirby Game Ever|website=[[Gamer Network#Partnered|Nintendo Life]]|publisher=[[Gamer Network]]|access-date=October 11, 2024}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
[[Image:Kirbys Dream Land Whispy.png|left|thumb|Kirby battling [[Whispy Woods]], the [[boss (video games)|boss]] of the first stage, Green Greens]]

''Kirby's Dream Land'' is a [[Side-scrolling video game|side-scrolling]] [[Action game|action]]-[[Platform game|platformer]]. Like many other platformers of the [[History of video game consoles (third generation)|8-bit]] and [[History of video game consoles (fourth generation)|16-bit era of video games]], levels are played on a [[Plane (mathematics)|two-dimensional]] plane in which the [[protagonist]], [[Kirby (character)|Kirby]], has six health points and can move left or right as well as jump. Kirby's main method of attack is to inhale enemies and objects into his mouth, after which the player can choose to swallow or spit them out as a [[Five-pointed star|star]]-shaped projectile attack. In addition to running and jumping, Kirby can fly by inflating himself with a mouthful of air and flapping his arms. Flying can be done indefinitely; however, while flying, Kirby's only method of attack is to release the air puff held in his mouth which cancels his flight.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Kirby's Dream Land - Manual (Europe) |publisher=Nintendo |year=1992 |pages=9–11 |language=en}}</ref>

The game consists of a total of five [[Level (video gaming)|levels]]. Levels are made up of a series of large "rooms" connected by doors that lead Kirby to different areas, rather than the single continuous corridors typical of platformers at the time. Some of these doors lead to hidden areas or alternate pathways through the level.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Kirby's Dream Land - Manual (Europe) |publisher=Nintendo |year=1992 |pages=16–20 |language=en}}</ref> The doors act as [[Checkpoint (video gaming)|checkpoints]] returning the player to the beginning of a "room" should they die rather than starting the level over. The goal of the game is to clear the level by defeating the [[Boss fight|boss]] at the end. If Kirby touches a harmful enemy or obstacle, he loses one or more of his [[Health (game terminology)|health points]], depending on the enemy or obstacle he touched. The player starts with a number of [[Life (video games)|lives]], which are lost if Kirby loses all of his health or falls into a bottomless pit. Kirby can recover lost health by eating food, found across the stage. The player will receive a [[Game over|Game Over]] upon losing all of their lives, although they can continue from the beginning of the current stage by selecting "Continue".

Unlike the copy abilities of later games, ''Kirby's Dream Land'' has more traditional [[power-up]]s that offer Kirby temporary abilities when he picks them up, although they are not a big part of gameplay. These often appear in the form of food, such as Spicy Curry that gives Kirby fire breath or a Mint Leaf (Sweet Potato in the Japanese version) that lets Kirby fire air puffs rapidly without losing flight.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Kirby's Dream Land - Manual (Europe) |publisher=Nintendo |year=1992 |pages=13–15 |language=en}}</ref> At the end of each level is a [[boss (video games)|boss]] Kirby must fight to obtain one of the Sparkling Stars. Most bosses are fought by sucking up small objects or projectiles created by the boss' attacks and spitting them back at the boss. The third boss, Kaboola, is fought using an unlimited version of the Mint Leaf item, incorporating [[shoot 'em up]] elements. The last level before the [[boss (video gaming)|final boss]] consists of a boss rush, where Kirby must fight all of the game's bosses again going through a short area based on that boss's home level. There are also many [[Mini-Boss|mini-bosses]] during the levels.

Like many 1980s-era platformers, the player can accumulate points by defeating enemies and collecting items, with an [[Life (video games)#Extra lives|extra life]] granted when the player has enough points. However, because ''Kirby's Dream Land'' lacks a save function, scores are not recorded. Also, there are no save files, so the player has to start over again when the Game Boy is turned off, if the player chooses to return to the title screen after a game over, or if the player resets the game. Once the game has been completed, a code is offered to play an optional extra game, in which the difficulty is significantly increased. Completing the extra game offered a second code that lets the player adjust lives and vitality settings to play an easier or even harder game, and listen to music and sound effects freely.

==Plot==
''Kirby's Dream Land'' is set in the [[fictional country]] of Dream Land, which is located on a tiny star-shaped planet far, far away from [[Earth]], named "Planet Popstar" in later games. The Dream Landers are a very peaceful and carefree people that use their magical Sparkling Stars to play and work among the heavens. One night, under the cover of darkness, the gluttonous [[King Dedede]] and his minions swoop down from his [[castle]] on Mt. Dedede and steal all the food in Dream Land, as well as the Sparkling Stars, which the King distributes among his minions. Without the Sparkling Stars, the Dream Landers can no longer harvest food, and begin to go hungry. As the residents are discussing what to do, a spry little boy named [[Kirby (character)|Kirby]] flies in on the spring breeze, and volunteers to defeat King Dedede and retrieve the food and Stars. Upon successfully doing so, he uses the magic of the Sparkling Stars to transform into a [[hot air balloon]] and return the King's stolen food back to the people of Dream Land.

==Development==
''Kirby's Dream Land'' was developed by [[Masahiro Sakurai]] of [[HAL Laboratory]]. Much of the programming was done on a [[Twin Famicom]], a Nintendo-licensed console produced by [[Sharp Corporation]] that combined a [[Famicom]] and a [[Famicom Disk System]] in one unit. As the Twin Famicom did not have [[Computer keyboard|keyboard]] support, a [[trackball]] was used in tandem with an [[on-screen keyboard]] to input values; Sakurai described the process, which he assumed was "the way [game programming] was done" at the time, as similar to "using a lunchbox to make lunch."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Orland |first1=Kyle |title=Early Nintendo programmer worked without a keyboard |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/04/the-first-kirby-game-was-programmed-without-a-keyboard/ |website=[[Ars Technica]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |access-date=June 9, 2021 |language=en-us |date=April 26, 2017 |archive-date=December 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205162701/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/04/the-first-kirby-game-was-programmed-without-a-keyboard/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Kirby initially was a dummy character that the developers used until they could define a more sophisticated image. However the designers grew to like Kirby so much that they decided to keep him instead of using a more advanced character. At the time he was to be named {{nihongo|Popopo|ポポポ}}, and the game was named {{nihongo|''Popopo of the Spring Breeze''|はるかぜポポポ|Harukaze Popopo}}.<ref name="20a">{{cite book | date = August 2012 | title = Hoshi no Kābī Pupupu Taizen: 20th Anniversary | script-title = ja:星のカービィプププ大全 : 20th Anniversary | language = ja | publisher = Shogakukan | page = 41 | isbn = 978-4-09-106511-7}}</ref> The title was later changed to {{nihongo|''Twinkle Popo''|ティンクル・ポポ|Tinkuru Popo}}, which was still being used late enough in development that box art and advertising material was produced with this name.

Originally, HAL Laboratory was to publish the game independently, but due to the low number of advance orders, the release was delayed, and HAL asked Nintendo to publish the game. Under Nintendo's supervision, the game received an extensive marketing campaign, and its title was changed.<ref name="shmuplations">{{cite web|url=https://shmuplations.com/smashbros/|title=Super Smash Bros. – 1999 Developer Interview|access-date=April 13, 2022|publisher=shmuplations.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029064852/https://shmuplations.com/smashbros/|archive-date=October 29, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> In order to give the character more international appeal, the developers decided to change Popopo's name, so they polled [[Nintendo of America]] for suggestions, and eventually chose Kirby.<ref name="shmuplations2">{{cite web|url=http://shmuplations.com/kirbysadventure/|title=Kirby's Adventure – 1993 Developer Interview|access-date=August 3, 2021|publisher=shmuplations.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731153327/http://shmuplations.com/kirbysadventure/|archive-date=July 31, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> The final Japanese title of the game was ''Hoshi no Kirby'', or ''Kirby of the Stars'', which became the name of the greater franchise.

During the development of what was referred to as ''Twinkle Popo'', there was some initial confusion over the color scheme of Popopo/Kirby. Sakurai had always intended him to be pink, and the concept art reflects this. However, Kirby was not pink in the game itself, as the Game Boy system had a monochrome display. Other members of the development team were unaware of Kirby's coloration; in particular, [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] initially thought that he was yellow.<ref name="shmuplations2"/> Although pink is still Kirby's main color, later games have used a yellow Kirby (nicknamed "Keeby") to represent the second player in multiplayer, starting in ''[[Kirby's Dream Course]]'' (1994). When ''Kirby of the Stars'' was released in Japan, it featured a pink Kirby on its box art. However, Nintendo of America designed the North American box art and advertisements with a white Kirby based on the game's grey-scale visuals.<ref name="gamespyclassic">{{cite web |url=http://kirby.classicgaming.gamespy.com/info/kirby101/index2.htm |title=Welcome to Kirby's Rainbow Resort! - Creation |access-date=March 6, 2007 |publisher=[[GameSpy]].com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414061949/http://kirby.classicgaming.gamespy.com/info/kirby101/index2.htm|archive-date=April 14, 2009}}</ref>

The music was composed by [[Jun Ishikawa (composer)|Jun Ishikawa]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=King|first=Darryn|date=June 23, 2018|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/darrynking/2018/06/20/the-music-of-kirby-still-tickling-gamers-pink/|title=The Music Of Kirby: Still Tickling Gamers Pink|magazine=[[Forbes]]|access-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| title = Contemporary reviews
| rev1 = ''[[Aktueller Software Markt]]''
| rev1Score = 10/12<ref name="asm-review">{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Aktueller Software Markt]]|title=Gut geschlürft, Kirby!|trans-title=Well Slurped, Kirby!|first=Peter|last=Schmitz|date=August 1993|language=German|ISSN=0933-1867|location=Germany|publisher=Tronic-Verlag|issue=3}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Joystick (magazine)|Joystick]]''
| rev2Score = 96%<ref name="joystick-rev">{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Joystick (magazine)|Joystick]]|issue=33|location=Paris, France|ISSN=1145-4806|title=Kirby's Dreamland|date=December 1992|last1=Carali|first1=Olivier|language=French}}</ref>

| rev3 = ''{{ill|Power Play (magazine)|de|Power Play (Zeitschrift)||lt=Power Play}}''
| rev3Score = 72%<ref name="powerplay">{{cite magazine |magazine={{ill|Power Play (magazine)|de|Power Play (Zeitschrift)||lt=Power Play}} |language=German |publisher=[[Markt+Technik]] |date=December 1992 |location=West Germany |title=Power Tests Videospiele |issn=0937-9754|p=160|trans-title=Power Tests Videogames|last=Gollert|first=Knut }}</ref>

| rev4 = {{ill|Video Games (magazine)|lt=Video Games|de|Video Games|italics=yes}}
| rev4Score = 70%<ref name="vg-de">{{cite magazine|magazine={{ill|Video Games (magazine)|lt=Video Games|de|Video Games}}|date=November 1992|language=German|last=Englhart|first=Stephan|issn=0946-0985|publisher=Future Publishing|title=Test: Monsterschreck - Kirby's Dream-Land|p=119}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[Famitsu|Weekly Famicom Tsūshin]]''
| rev5Score = 5/10, 5/10, 6/10, 6/10<ref name="fam-rev">{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Famitsu|Weekly Famicom Tsūshin]]|title=New Games Cross Review |last1=Famibo|first1=Tofuya|last2=Suzuki|first2=Altz|last3=Nagano|first3=Isabella|last4=Uchisawa|first4=Goro|date=May 8, 1992|publisher=ASCII Corporation|language=Japanese|issue=177|p=37}}</ref>}}

''Kirby's Dream Land'' has received generally positive reception. Upon release, ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' editors George and Bob shared generally positive opinions of the ''Kirby's Dream Land''; George stated that it is a really fun game, owing its quality to its excellent play control and well thought out concept, while Bob stated that it is deceptively simple looking, when it in fact features a decent challenge for more experienced gamers.<ref name="kirbynp">{{cite web |url=http://kirby.classicgaming.gamespy.com/info/np/ |title=Nintendo Power |access-date=March 26, 2007 |publisher=[[GameSpy]].com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215200145/http://kirby.classicgaming.gamespy.com/info/np/ |archive-date=February 15, 2008 }}</ref> In ''[[Famitsu|Weekly Famicom Tsūshin]]'', three of the reviewers said that it was mostly a typical action game with one saying it was as easy to get into as it was to get out of.<ref name="fam-rev" /> While two of these reviewers said the ability to suck in enemies and shoot them out like bullets was unique, one said this drew inspiration from [[Yoshi]] from ''[[Super Mario World]]'' (1990).<ref name="fam-rev" /> The reviewers complimented the character of Kirby, with one reviewer saying they kept returning to the game just to see his animation cycles.<ref name="fam-rev" /> Stephan Englhart of {{ill|Video Games (magazine)|lt=Video Games|de|Video Games|italics=yes}} said the game had beautifully illustrated graphics and that Kirby "has my vote for sprite of the month."<ref name="vg-de" /> He said that he only recommended the game to beginner audiences as the everything else was mediocre, ranging from the games level design and low difficulty making the game too simple and monotonous.<ref name="vg-de" /> ''[[GamePro]]'' complimented the graphics and fresh gameplay while finding the sound only average.<ref name="gamepro-rev">{{cite magazine|magazine=[[GamePro]]|title=Game Boy ProReview|author=Linoleum Blown Apart|p=172|ISSN=1042-8658|date=December 1992|url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/08781ec6-04f4-4879-b687-4f5d78db79be|via=[[Video Game History Foundation]]|accessdate=August 20, 2025}}</ref> Olivier Carali in ''[[Joystick (magazine)|Joystick]]'' said the game was a "gem in the platform genre" writing that the music, animation and graphics were "cute, brilliant and endearing."<ref name="joystick-rev" /> ''Joystick'' only issue was the game's lack of difficulty, suggesting it was more suitable for younger players.<ref name="joystick-rev" /> A review in the German magazine ''[[Aktueller Software Markt]]'' wrote that the abilities to swallow air, float up, dodge, catch and spt out enemies gave it a very unique appeal. The review disliked the lack of any level select or level password feature.<ref name="asm-review" /> Knut Gollert of ''{{ill|Power Play (magazine)|de|Power Play (Zeitschrift)||lt=Power Play}}'' impresses above all with its originality and that players can do much more with Kirby than they initially might think. The reviewer found that the game was ultimately brought down by poor level design and low difficulty.<ref name="powerplay" />

''Kirby's Dream Land'' topped the Japanese ''[[Famitsu]]'' sales charts from May 1992<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Weekly Top 30 (5月22日) |magazine=[[Famicom Tsūshin]] |date=5 June 1992 |issue=181 |pages=14–5 |url=https://archive.org/details/weekly-famitsu-no.-181-june-5th-1992-600dpi/Weekly%20Famitsu%20-%20No.%20181%20June%205th1992/page/n14/mode/2up |lang=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Weekly Top 30 (5月29日) |magazine=[[Famicom Tsūshin]] |date=12 June 1992 |issue=182 |pages=14–5 |url=https://archive.org/details/weekly-famitsu-no.-182-june-12th-1992-600dpi/Weekly%20Famitsu%20-%20No.%20182%20June%2012th%201992%28Compressed%29/page/n14/mode/2up |lang=ja}}</ref> to June 1992,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Weekly Top 30 (6月5日) |magazine=[[Famicom Tsūshin]] |date=19 June 1992 |issue=183 |pages=14–5 |url=https://archive.org/details/weekly-famitsu-no.-183-june-19th-1992-600dpi/Weekly%20Famitsu%20-%20No.%20183%20June%2019th%201992/page/n14/mode/2up |lang=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Weekly Top 30 (6月12日) |magazine=[[Famicom Tsūshin]] |date=26 June 1992 |issue=184 |pages=14–5 |url=https://archive.org/details/weekly-famitsu-no.-184-june-26th-1992-600dpi/Weekly%20Famitsu%20-%20No.%20184%20June%2026th%201992/page/n14/mode/2up |lang=ja}}</ref> and in the United States topped [[Babbage's]] Game Boy sales chart in October 1992.<ref name="EGMDec1992">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_201902/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20041%20%28December%201992%29/page/n47 |title=EGM Top Ten |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |issue=41 |date=December 1992 |page=48}}</ref> The game sold more than {{Nowrap|1 million}} units worldwide as of March 1993.<ref>{{Cite news|date=21 May 1993|title=Nintendo earnings up 2 percent|work=[[United Press International]] (UPI)|location=[[Redmond, Washington]]|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/05/21/Nintendo-earnings-up-2-percent/5012737956800/|access-date=24 December 2021|archive-date=December 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224213342/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/05/21/Nintendo-earnings-up-2-percent/5012737956800/|url-status=live}}</ref> By 1997, {{Nowrap|4.6 million}} units had been sold.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Rothstein|first=Edward|date=December 8, 1997|title=Nintendo's Game Boy lives as nostalgia for simpler computer games catches on|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/08/business/technology-connections-nintendo-s-game-boy-lives-nostalgia-for-simpler-computer.html|url-access=subscription|access-date=25 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527052924/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/08/business/technology-connections-nintendo-s-game-boy-lives-nostalgia-for-simpler-computer.html|archive-date=2015-05-27}}</ref> {{As of|2010}}, it has sold in excess of 5 million copies worldwide; ''[[Gamasutra]]'' cited its new style of gameplay for its success. At the time, it was [[HAL Laboratory]]'s most successful game.<ref name="gamasutra3">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/4418/iwata_and_miyamoto_business_.php?page=3 |title=Features - Iwata and Miyamoto: Business Ascetics - An Excerpt from Humoungous |website=Gamasutra |date=May 14, 2010 |access-date=October 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020132642/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/4418/iwata_and_miyamoto_business_.php?page=3 |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Gamasutra's Osamu Inoue attributed the game's success to [[Satoru Iwata]], formerly an employee of HAL Laboratory, who Inoue comments has a "simple-minded passion for creating games".<ref name="gamasutra3"/>

{{Video game reviews
| title = Retrospective reception
| GR = 62%<ref name="GR">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/gameboy/563275-kirbys-dream-land/index.html |title=Kirby's Dream Land for Game Boy |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=October 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015042521/http://www.gamerankings.com/gameboy/563275-kirbys-dream-land/index.html |archive-date=October 15, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| Allgame = 4/5<ref>{{cite web |last=Crystal |first=Joshua|title=Kirby's Dream Land - Review |publisher=[[Allgame]] |access-date=December 11, 2014 |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1068&tab=review|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141212102733/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1068&tab=review|archive-date=December 12, 2014}}</ref>
| IGN = 8/10<ref name="kirbycompared"/>
| NLife = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2011/07/kirbys_dream_land_3dsvc |first=Jon |last=Wahlgren |title=Kirby's Dream Land - Review |date=July 1, 2011 |publisher=[[Nintendo Life]] }}</ref>
| PG = 2.5/5<ref>{{cite web|last=Rose|first=Mike|date=July 8, 2011|url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/kirbys-dream-land/kirbys-dream-land-eshop/|title=Kirby's Dream Land (eShop)|website=[[Pocket Gamer]]|access-date=October 9, 2024}}</ref>
}}

Retrospectively, it holds an aggregate score of 62% on [[GameRankings]] with nine reviews, making it the 17th best Game Boy game.<ref name="GR" /> ''[[Game Informer]]''{{'}}s Ben Reeves called it the 14th best Game Boy game and felt that it was a relaxing game.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The 25 Best Game Boy Games Of All Time |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/06/24/the-25-best-game-boy-games-of-all-time.aspx |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |last=Reeves |first=Ben |date=June 24, 2011 |access-date=December 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111182139/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/06/24/the-25-best-game-boy-games-of-all-time.aspx |archive-date=January 11, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Author Wendy Despain used ''Kirby's Dream Land''{{'}}s plot as an example of how early platform games' plots progressed, which she collectively described as "the main character needing to reach a villain to put right a wrong."<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IodvUgBggnUC |title=Writing for video game genres: from ... - Google Books |isbn=9781568814179 |access-date=October 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104152025/http://books.google.com/books?id=IodvUgBggnUC |archive-date=January 4, 2014 |url-status=live |last1=Despain |first1=Wendy |date=February 26, 2009 |publisher=Taylor & Francis }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=March 2015}} Humongous Life's Jonathan Wahlgren called it a strong game, but felt it to be "too elementary".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://retro.nintendolife.com/reviews/2009/08/kirbys_dream_land_retro |title=Kirby's Dream Land (Retro) review |publisher=Retro.humongous.com |date=August 3, 2009 |access-date=October 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913081111/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2011/07/kirbys_dream_land_3dsvc |archive-date=September 13, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[GamesRadar]]''{{'}}s Brett Elston did an article on its music, specifically giving praise to the final boss music, stating that it is the "only song in the original Kirby that had a sense of challenge or conflict instead of skipping through a field of floating cakes."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/f/game-music-of-the-day-kirbys-dream-land/a-20100621112729175086 |title=Game music of the day: Kirby's Dream Land |publisher=GamesRadar |date=June 21, 2010 |access-date=October 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130504080818/http://www.gamesradar.com/game-music-of-the-day-kirbys-dream-land/ |archive-date=May 4, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Nadia Oxford of ''[[1UP.com]]'' praised it for its unique platforming mechanics, describing it as the start of a "gluttonous legend".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3170113 |title=Complete History of Kirby |publisher=1up.com |access-date=October 9, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303034027/http://www.1up.com/features/complete-kirby |archive-date=March 3, 2013 }}</ref> [[Allgame]]'s Joshua Crystal called it a "great game for beginner players and ones that enjoy a fun, but short, experience."<ref>{{cite web |last=Crystal |first=Joshua |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1068&tab=review |title=Kirby's Dream Land - Review |publisher=allgame |date=October 3, 2010 |access-date=October 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141212102733/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=1068&tab=review |archive-date=December 12, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In an article detailing various ''Kirby'' series video games, ''[[IGN]]'' stated that it was a decent platformer, but basic compared to later games.<ref name="kirbycompared">{{cite web |date=2011-05-05 |title=Kirby's Dream Land Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/07/01/kirbys-dream-land-review |access-date= |website=[[IGN]] |archive-date=April 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210415215639/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/07/01/kirbys-dream-land-review |url-status=live }}</ref> ''IGN'''s Lucas M. Thomas and Craig Harris included ''Kirby's Dream Land'' in their wishlist for a hypothetical "[[Virtual Console]]" for the [[Nintendo 3DS]], commenting that its inclusion would be based on nostalgia rather than it feeling "new and sensational". They also added that original characters like [[Kirby (character)|Kirby]] were the stars of the [[Game Boy]] rather than established characters such as [[Link (The Legend of Zelda)|Link]], [[Mario]], [[Samus Aran]], and [[Pit (Kid Icarus)|Pit]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Thomas |first=Lucas M. |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/08/17/the-dsi-virtual-console-wishlist |title=The DSi Virtual Console Wishlist|website=IGN|date=August 17, 2009 |access-date=October 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211090837/http://ds.ign.com/articles/101/1012415p1.html |archive-date=December 11, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> They would again praise ''Kirby's Dream Land'' for being an original game in their "History of the Game Boy" article, adding that while "attitude" was common in new platforming mascots, Kirby was cheery and adorable, while the game featured "breezy, casual gameplay and lighthearted atmosphere".<ref>{{cite web |last=Fahs |first=Travis |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/07/27/ign-presents-the-history-of-game-boy |title=IGN Presents the History of Game Boy|website=IGN|date=July 7, 2010 |access-date=October 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528083411/http://retro.ign.com/articles/100/1007864p3.html |archive-date=May 28, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[GameSpy]]''{{'}}s Gerald Villoria, Brian Altano, and Ryan Scott called it "basic" compared to later games in the series, adding that it lacked a sense of danger because Kirby could fly.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ds.gamespy.com/articles/100/1009097p1.html |title=GameSpy: Game Boy 20th Anniversary Celebration, Day 1: Then and Now - Page 1 |publisher=Ds.gamespy.com |access-date=October 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615144352/http://ds.gamespy.com/articles/100/1009097p1.html |archive-date=June 15, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[GamesRadar]]'' listed ''Kirby's Dream Land'' and its sequel as two of the games they want in the 3DS Virtual Console.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/f/12-classic-game-boy-and-game-boy-color-games-we-want-on-3ds/a-20110119172340571046 |title=12 classic Game Boy and Game Boy Color games we want on 3DS |publisher=GamesRadar |date=January 19, 2010 |access-date=January 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010235353/http://www.gamesradar.com/12-classic-game-boy-and-game-boy-color-games-we-want-on-3ds/ |archive-date=October 10, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Sequels==
{{Main|List of Kirby media{{!}}List of ''Kirby'' media}}

''Kirby's Dream Land'' has spawned numerous sequels across several video game consoles. The first direct sequel, ''[[Kirby's Adventure]]'', released on the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], introduced the ability to steal powers from enemies, an ability which would become a staple of the series following it.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/top-100-nes-games/27.html |title=27. Kirby's Adventure - Top 100 NES Games |publisher=IGN |access-date=August 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111041105/http://www.ign.com/top-100-nes-games/27.html |archive-date=November 11, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The series has featured several spin-offs, in differing genres including a racing game ''[[Kirby Air Ride]]'', pinball game ''[[Kirby's Pinball Land]]'', and an [[Action game|action]]-[[golf]] hybrid game ''[[Kirby's Dream Course]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/games/kirby-air-ride/ |title=Kirby Air Ride|website=IGN |date=March 4, 2004 |access-date=August 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101105005016/http://cube.ign.com/objects/499/499716.html |archive-date=November 5, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/games/kirbys-pinball-land/ |title=Kirby's Pinball Land|website=IGN |access-date=August 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613201555/http://gameboy.ign.com/objects/005/005965.html |archive-date=June 13, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Kirby's Dream Land'' would receive a Game Boy sequel in 1995, ''[[Kirby's Dream Land 2]]'', which incorporated the copy mechanic from ''Kirby's Adventure''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/do/gameOverview?cId=3134427 |title=Kirby's Dream Land 2 for Game Boy from |publisher=1UP |access-date=August 30, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326040846/http://www.1up.com/do/gameOverview?cId=3134427 |archive-date=March 26, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/games/kirbys-dream-land-3/ |title=Kirby's Dream Land 3|website=IGN|date=January 5, 2009 |access-date=August 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307135118/http://wii.ign.com/objects/865/865243.html |archive-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Kirby and King Dedede appear as playable characters in the [[fighting game]] series ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' Both characters have alternate costumes that give them a [[monochrome]] appearance reminiscent of the Game Boy's graphics. The "Green Greens" stage, first appearing in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]],'' is based on this game's first level.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/super-smash-bros-melee/guide/page_34.html |title=Super Smash Bros. Melee - cube - Walkthrough and Guide - Page 34 - GameSpy |publisher=Cube.gamespy.com |date=January 20, 2002 |access-date=August 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303235213/http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/super-smash-bros-melee/guide/page_34.html |archive-date=March 3, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The "Dream Land GB" stage, introduced in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U|Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]'', transitions between multiple locations from ''Kirby's Dream Land'' as displayed through a monochromatic Game Boy screen.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/10/review-smash-bros-3ds-is-a-surprisingly-good-imitation-of-the-real-thing/ |title=Review: Smash Bros. 3DS is a surprisingly good imitation of the real thing |date=October 2014 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-date=September 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923002545/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/10/review-smash-bros-3ds-is-a-surprisingly-good-imitation-of-the-real-thing/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{moby game|id=/kirbys-dream-land|name=''Kirby's Dream Land''}}

{{Kirby series}}
{{Masahiro Sakurai}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Portal bar|Video games|1990s}}
[[Category:1992 video games]]
[[Category:Game Boy games]]
[[Category:HAL Laboratory games]]
[[Category:Kirby (series) platform games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Classics games]]
[[Category:Side-scrolling platformers]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games about magic]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Nintendo 3DS]]
[[Category:Video games directed by Masahiro Sakurai]]
[[Category:Video games set on fictional planets]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Jun Ishikawa]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]

Track & Field (video game)

2025-10-12T17:10:50Z

2600:1700:E5D0:A9A0:59F1:25A1:BA62:805:

{{short description|1983 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Track & Field
| image = Track&Field arcadeflyer.png
| caption = European arcade flyer
| developer = [[Konami]]
| publisher = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|Konami}}|'''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|JP/EU|Konami<ref name="Akagi">{{cite book |last1=Akagi |first1=Masumi |title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971-2005) |trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971-2005) |date=13 October 2006 |publisher=Amusement News Agency |language=ja |location=Japan |isbn=978-4990251215 |pages=28, 121 |url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n28}}</ref>|NA|[[Centuri]]<ref name="Akagi"/><ref name="GM224">{{cite magazine|date=15 November 1983|title=Overseas Readers Column|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19831115p.pdf#page=16|magazine={{ill|Game Machine|ja|ゲームマシン|vertical-align=sup}}|publisher={{ill|Amusement Press, Inc.|ja|アミューズメント通信社|vertical-align=sup}}|issue=224|page=30|lang=ja|access-date=24 May 2021|archive-date=24 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524062614/https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19831115p.pdf#page=16|url-status=live}}</ref>}} '''Ports'''{{vgrelease|JP|Konami|NA|[[Atarisoft]]<ref name="GM224"/>}} '''NES'''{{vgrelease|JP/NA|Konami|EU|[[Kemco]]}} '''ZX Spectrum'''<br>[[Ocean Software]]
}}
| designer =
| platforms = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[Arcade video game|Arcade]]}}|[[Apple II]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Atari 2600]], [[Atari 8-bit]], [[MSX]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom/NES]], [[Amstrad CPC]], [[ZX Spectrum]], [[Sharp X1]], [[Game Boy]]}}
| released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|September 1983}}|'''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|JP|September 1983<ref name="JAMMA"/>|NA|October 17, 1983<ref>{{cite web |title=Track & Field (Registration Number PA0000196323) |url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov/ |website=[[United States Copyright Office]] |access-date=5 May 2021 |archive-date=26 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126193156/https://cocatalog.loc.gov/ |url-status=live }}</ref>|EU|Late 1983<ref name="EU"/>{{Better source needed|date=September 2025}}}} '''Apple II, C64'''{{vgrelease||July 1984<ref name="cechartaug84">{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/6c8014da-ebb0-437d-a794-baf52becb3c2 |work=[[Computer Entertainer]] |volume=3 |issue=5 |date=August 1984 |page=16}}</ref>}} '''2600'''{{vgrelease||Late 1984<ref name="cechartaug84"/>}} '''Atari 8-bit'''{{vgrelease||1984}} '''MSX'''{{vgrelease|JP|1984|EU|1984}} '''Famicom/NES'''{{vgrelease|JP|June 21, 1985<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/|title=All Famicom games sorted from the latest release to the earliest|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|archive-date=October 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015061257/https://www.famitsu.com/schedule/recent/fc/|url-status=dead}}</ref>|NA|April 1987<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf |publisher=Nintendo of America |title=NES Games |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611225644/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/nes_games.pdf |archive-date=June 11, 2014 }}</ref>|EU|1992}} '''CPC, ZX Spectrum'''{{vgrelease|UK|1988}} '''Game Boy'''{{vgrelease|JP|July 17, 1992<ref>{{cite web |title=GAMEBOY Software List 1992 |url=http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NTM1_GB1992.html |website=GAME Data Room |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827211555/http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NTM1_GB1992.html |archive-date=August 27, 2018 |language=ja}}</ref>|NA|September 1992<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/dmg_games.pdf |publisher=Nintendo of America |title=Game Boy (original) Games |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402190758/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/dmg_games.pdf |archive-date=April 2, 2016 }}</ref>|EU|1992}}
}}
| genre = [[Sports video game|Sports]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
| arcade system =
}}

'''''Track & Field''''', also known as {{nihongo foot|'''''Hyper Olympic'''''|ハイパーオリンピック|Haipā Orinpikku|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} in Japan and Europe, is a 1983 [[sports video game]] developed and published by [[Konami]] for [[arcade video game|arcades]]. The Japanese release featured an official license for the [[1984 Summer Olympics]]. In Europe, the game was initially released under the Japanese title ''Hyper Olympic'' in 1983,<ref name="EU">{{cite web |title=Video Game Flyers: Hyper Olympic, Konami (EU) |url=https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=thumbs&db=videodb&id=2347 |website=The Arcade Flyer Archive |access-date=6 May 2021 |archive-date=6 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506205805/https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=thumbs&db=videodb&id=2347 |url-status=live }}</ref> before being re-released under the US title ''Track & Field'' in early 1984. [[Centuri]] released the game in North America.<ref name="CVG30">{{cite magazine |title=Arcade Action: We Discover What's New in Blackpool |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=16 March 1984 |issue=30 (April 1984) |page=26 |url=https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/187/525 |access-date=29 March 2021 |archive-date=11 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411193335/https://solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/187/525 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Players compete in a series of events, most involving alternately pressing two buttons as quickly as possible to make the onscreen character run faster. The game uses a horizontal [[side-scrolling]] format, displaying one or two tracks at a time, a large scoreboard that shows world records and current attempts, and a packed audience in the background.<ref name="Lendino"/>

The game was a worldwide commercial success in arcades, becoming one of the most successful arcade games of 1984. Konami and Centuri also organized a 1984 ''Track & Field'' [[video game competition]] that attracted more than a million players internationally, holding the record for the largest organized video game competition of all time {{as of|2016|lc=y}}. It was followed by several sequels including ''[[Hyper Sports]]'', as well as similar [[Olympic video games]] from other companies. The game's popularity led to a resurgence in arcade sports games, and also inspired [[Namco]]'s side-scrolling [[platform game]] ''[[Pac-Land]]'' (1984).

==Gameplay==
In the original arcade game, the player uses two "run" buttons (or a [[trackball]] in later units that replaced buttons damaged from overuse) and one "action" button to control an athlete competing in the following six events:<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=10180|title=Track & Field - Videogame by Konami|website=www.arcade-museum.com|access-date=2016-06-10|archive-date=2016-02-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208023218/http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=10180|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[100 metres|100 meter dash]] – running by quickly alternating button presses.
* [[Long jump]] – running by alternating button press and correct timing for jump {{mdash}} hold jump button to set angle (42 degrees is optimal).
* [[Javelin throw]] – running by alternating button presses and then using action button correct timing for angle (43 degrees is optimal).
* [[110 metre hurdles|110 meter hurdles]] – running by alternating button presses and using action button to time jumps.
* [[Hammer throw]] – spinning initiated by pressing a run button once and then correctly timed press of action button to choose angle (45 degrees is optimal).
* [[High jump]] – running (speed set by computer) and then action button must be held down to determine angle of jump {{mdash}} once in the air, the run button can be rapidly pressed for additional height.
[[Image:Track & Field 01.png|thumb|right|[[Long jump]] event]]
In each event, there is a qualifying time or level that the player must achieve to advance to the next event. Failing to qualify (in one heat for running events or three attempts in the other events) will reduce the player's number of lives by one. If the player has no lives remaining, the game will end.<ref name="auto"/> Players can earn extra lives for every 100,000 points scored.
[[Image:Track & Field 02.png|thumb|right|Start of the 100m dash]]
The game can accommodate up to four players, who compete in pairs for the running events and individually for the others. If there are fewer than four players, the remaining slots are filled by the computer (or player "CPU"). In all multiplayer heats, however, the relative performances of the players do not affect the game; advancing is based solely on qualifying times. While most multiplayer arcade games have their controls arranged from left to right for the players, this game, which features two sets of controls, has a somewhat different setup. The left set of controls is designated for players 2 and 4, while the right set is for players 1 and 3. This is one of the few classic arcade games where single-player mode is played using the right set of controls rather than the left. If a player completes all six events, they are sent back to the field for another round, with higher qualifying levels; however, the game can be configured to conclude after the final event.

==Release==
''Hyper Olympic'' was introduced at Tokyo's [[Amusement Machine Show]] (AM Show) in September 1983. Despite the anticipation surrounding [[laserdisc games]] prior to the event, ''Hyper Olympic'' emerged as the most well-received game at the show. According to ''[[Cash Box]]'' magazine, several attendees noted "cursory similarities" to [[The Activision Decathlon|''The Activision Decathlon'']], which had been introduced a month earlier. ''Hyper Olympic'' was licensed to [[Centuri]] for North American distribution. However, [[Atari, Inc.|Atari]] was selected as the official sponsor for the Olympic video game, preventing Centuri from retaining the title ''Hyper Olympic''.<ref name="JAMMA">{{cite magazine |title="Somber" JAMMA Show Hosts Five Laser Disc Games |magazine=[[Cash Box]] |date=October 15, 1983 |pages=32, 34 |url=https://archive.org/details/cashbox45unse_18/page/45}}</ref> The game was subsequently introduced in North America as ''Track & Field'' at the Amusement & Music Operators Association (AMOA) show in October 1983. Despite the initial hype surrounding laserdisc games, many operators and distributors ultimately regarded ''Track & Field'' as the biggest hit at the event.<ref name="CashMachine">{{cite magazine |title=Cash Machine |magazine=[[Cash Box]] |date=November 12, 1983 |pages=30–4 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1983/CB-1983-11-12.PDF#page=32 |access-date=2021-05-23 |archive-date=2020-08-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813200243/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1983/CB-1983-11-12.PDF#page=32 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Ports==
Konami licensed the North American home video game rights to [[Atari, Inc.]].<ref name="GM224"/> They initially [[Port (software)|ported]] ''Track & Field'' to the [[Atari 2600]] console and the [[Atari 8-bit computers]], followed by versions for the [[Apple II]] and the [[Commodore 64]] under the [[Atarisoft]] label. A port for the [[Atari 5200]], which would have been identical to the Atari 8-bit computer version, was canceled.<ref>{{cite web |last=Reichert |first=Matt |title=Track & Field |website=AtariProtos.com |url=http://www.atariprotos.com/5200/software/trackfield/trackfield.htm |access-date=September 19, 2014 |archive-date=November 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151113104456/http://www.atariprotos.com/5200/software/trackfield/trackfield.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The 2600 version was among the new games to utilize Atari's "super chip" technology, enabling enhanced graphics and gameplay variety compared to what was previously possible on the 2600.<ref name="CE"/>

When Konami ported ''Track & Field'' to the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] (as ''Hyper Olympic''), they included only four out of six events. They later converted ''Hyper Sports'' to the Famicom as well, this time incorporating three of the ''Hyper Sports'' events along with one additional event from ''Track & Field''. By the time the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] gained popularity in the United States, Konami retooled the game for American release by including all eight events from both games in one cartridge. Of the original six events from ''Track & Field'', only the hammer throw is missing; in its place, however, are skeet shooting, archery, and triple jump.

The [[ZX Spectrum]] and [[Amstrad CPC]] versions were released only as part of the ''Game, Set and Match II'' compilation in 1988 and are poorly regarded.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cpczone.net/index.php?game=1511 |title=The Amstrad CPC Resource: Track and Field by Ocean Software for the Amstrad CPC/GX 4000 |publisher=CPC Zone |access-date=2009-07-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305150932/http://www.cpczone.net/index.php?game=1511 |archive-date=2012-03-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=ZXDB Powered Software Search: Game, Set and Match 2 |url=https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.php?cat=96&id=11732 |website=SpectrumComputing |access-date=14 June 2018 |archive-date=24 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024151822/https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.php?cat=96&id=11732 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The NES version of ''Track & Field'' was re-released in Europe in 1992 as ''Track & Field in Barcelona'' by [[Kemco]] in light of the [[1992 Summer Olympics]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} The opening song for the NES version is the ''[[Chariots of Fire]]'' theme by [[Vangelis]] (which was also used in the arcade version's high score screen).

==Reception==
In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed ''Hyper Olympic'' as the top-grossing new [[table arcade cabinet]] of December 1983,<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型新製品 (New Videos-Table Type)|magazine={{ill|Game Machine|ja|ゲームマシン|vertical-align=sup}}|issue=225|publisher={{ill|Amusement Press, Inc.|ja|アミューズメント通信社|vertical-align=sup}}|date=1 December 1983|page=32|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19831201p.pdf#page=17|access-date=30 May 2021|archive-date=31 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131232025/https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19831201p.pdf#page=17|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|date=15 December 1983|title=Best Hit Games 25|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19831215p.pdf#page=17|magazine={{ill|Game Machine|ja|ゲームマシン|vertical-align=sup}}|publisher={{ill|Amusement Press, Inc.|ja|アミューズメント通信社|vertical-align=sup}}|issue=226|page=33|lang=ja|access-date=30 May 2021|archive-date=31 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131232024/https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19831215p.pdf#page=17|url-status=live}}</ref> and it remained the top-grossing table cabinet in January 1984.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Best Hit Games 25|magazine={{ill|Game Machine|ja|ゲームマシン|vertical-align=sup}}|issue=227|publisher={{ill|Amusement Press, Inc.|ja|アミューズメント通信社|vertical-align=sup}}|date=1 January 1984|page=37|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19840101p.pdf#page=19|access-date=3 March 2021|archive-date=15 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115184529/https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19840101p.pdf#page=19|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Best Hit Games 25|magazine={{ill|Game Machine|ja|ゲームマシン|vertical-align=sup}}|issue=228|publisher={{ill|Amusement Press, Inc.|ja|アミューズメント通信社|vertical-align=sup}}|date=15 January 1984|page=31|lang=ja|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19840115p.pdf#page=16|access-date=3 March 2021|archive-date=9 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209131156/https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19840115p.pdf#page=16|url-status=live}}</ref> The game sold 38,000 arcade hardware units in Japan by the end of 1983. ''Track & Field'' was also a hit in North America.<ref>''RePlay'', January 1984</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Olympic Summer Games|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=20 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=August 1996 |page=101}}</ref><ref name="CE"/> Despite requiring physical interaction from players, the game continued to enjoy success in North America throughout the first half of 1984.<ref name="Sharpe">{{cite magazine |last=Sharpe |first=Roger C. |title=1984—Every Which Way But Up |magazine=[[Play Meter]] |date=December 1984 |volume=10 |issue=23 |pages=39, 49–51 |url=https://archive.org/details/play-meter-volume-10-number-23-december-15th-1984/Play%20Meter%20-%20Volume%2010%2C%20Number%2023%20-%20December%2015th%201984/page/49}}</ref> It topped the US ''RePlay'' upright [[arcade cabinet]] charts in February<ref>{{cite magazine |title=RePlay: The Players' Choice |magazine=RePlay |date=February 1984}}</ref> and May 1984,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=RePlay: The Players' Choice |magazine=RePlay |date=May 1984}}</ref> and was the top-grossing arcade game of June 1984.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Hit Games & High Scores: Arcade Games |magazine=Computer Games |date=June 1984 |volume=3 |issue=2 |publisher=Carnegie Publications |location=United States |page=12 |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Games_Vol_3_No_2_1984-06_Carnegie_Publications_US/page/n11}}</ref> It went on to become the third highest-grossing arcade game of 1984 in the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top 20 Performing Video Games of 1984 |magazine=[[Play Meter]] |date=1 November 1984 |volume=10 |issue=20 |page=47 |url=https://archive.org/details/play-meter-volume-10-number-20-november-1st-1984/Play%20Meter%20-%20Volume%2010%2C%20Number%2020%20-%20November%201st%201984/page/47}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Nominees Announced For 1984 AMOA Awards |magazine=[[Cash Box]] |date=September 8, 1984 |page=28 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1984/CB-1984-09-08.pdf#page=28 |access-date=2021-05-23 |archive-date=2021-07-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704013823/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1984/CB-1984-09-08.pdf#page=28 |url-status=live }}</ref> In Europe, it was the highest-grossing arcade game of 1984 in the United Kingdom.<ref name="YS">{{cite magazine |title=Commando: Soldier of Fortune |magazine=[[Your Sinclair]] |date=January 1986 |issue=1 |page=54 |url=https://archive.org/details/your-sinclair-01/page/n53}}</ref>

The arcade game received positive reviews upon its release. Gene Lewin of ''[[Play Meter]]'' magazine scored it 8 out of 10, stating that it would be "a definite 10" if released as a more affordable conversion kit. The review praised it as the best dedicated arcade game at the AMOA 1983 show, highlighting the gameplay, "excellent" graphics, "fantastic" sound, and originality, noting that having "different track and field events is an original idea" and "certainly different" than the other sports games based on baseball, football, or basketball.<ref name="PM">{{cite magazine |last1=Lewin |first1=Gene |title=Gene's Judgements: Critiquing AMOA Show Conversions, Dedicated Games |magazine=[[Play Meter]] |date=January 15, 1984 |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=60–3 |url=https://archive.org/details/play-meter-volume-10-number-2-january-15th-1984/Play%20Meter%20-%20Volume%2010%2C%20Number%202%20-%20January%2015th%201984/page/60/mode/2up}}</ref> ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' referred to it as a "great game for all you armchair sports enthusiasts," although they cautioned it could lead to cramped fingers.<ref name="CVG30"/>

Reviews for the home conversions varied by platform. ''[[Computer Entertainer]]'' reviewed the Atari 2600 version in 1984, scoring it 7 out of 8 stars.<ref name="CE">{{cite magazine |title=Track & Field |magazine=[[Computer Entertainer]] |date=August 1984 |volume=3 |issue=5 |page=75 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_aug84.pdf#page=11 |access-date=2021-07-17 |archive-date=2024-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006172012/http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_aug84.pdf#page=11 |url-status=live }}</ref> David M. Wilson and Johnny L. Wilson reviewed the home computer conversions for ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'', stating that "the game is primarily a joystick buster."<ref name="CGW46">{{cite magazine |last1=Wilson |first1=David M. |last2=Wilson |first2=Johnny L. |title=The Boys of Spring: A Computer Sports Survey |magazine=Computer Gaming World |date=April 1988 |volume=1 |issue=46 |pages=13–14}}</ref> However, Stuart Campbell, writing in ''[[Your Sinclair]]'' in 1992, considered the Spectrum version to be one of the worst games ever released for that machine.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=An Equal Sequel |magazine=[[Your Sinclair]] |date=March 1992 |issue=75 |url=https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/page.php?issue_id=296&page=27 |page=27 |access-date=22 April 2021 |archive-date=6 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006172015/https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/page.php?issue_id=296&page=27 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1996, ''Next Generation'' magazine ranked the ''Track & Field'' series collectively as number 78 on their "Top 100 Games of All Time." They noted that while the gameplay may not accurately reflect skill or knowledge of the actual sports, the game's appeal lies in its pure button-pushing endurance, particularly when played with four players.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Top 100 Games of All Time |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=21 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=September 1996|page=44}}</ref> Additionally, in 1995, ''Flux'' magazine placed the arcade version at 65th in its own "Top 100 Video Games" list, further solidifying its status as a classic in the gaming community.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=April 1995 |title=Top 100 Video Games |url=https://archive.org/details/flux-issue-4/page/n29/mode/2up |journal=Flux |publisher=Harris Publications |issue=4 |pages=31}}</ref>

==Competition==
In 1984, Konami and Centuri jointly organized an international ''Track & Field'' video game competition that attracted over a million players from Japan and North America. This event was hailed by ''Play Meter'' as "the coin-op event of the year," marking an unprecedented scale in the video game industry at that time.<ref name="Sharpe"/> As of 2016, it is recognized by ''Guinness World Records'' as the largest organized video game competition in history.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Baker |first1=Chris |title=How 'Track & Field' Launched World's Biggest Video Game Tournament |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/how-konamis-track-field-launched-worlds-biggest-game-tournament-103592/ |access-date=6 October 2021 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=16 August 2016 |archive-date=28 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728042134/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/how-konamis-track-field-launched-worlds-biggest-game-tournament-103592/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The competition, officially known as the "1984 March of Dimes International Konami/Centuri Track & Field Challenge," was highlighted in the ''Twin Galaxies'' publication, which noted that more than a million contestants participated between April 30 and May 26, aiming to be among three finalists who would travel to Japan to represent the USA. This event served as a fundraiser for the March of Dimes and was held in Aladdin's Castle arcades and National Convenience Stores. Gary West from Oklahoma City emerged as the U.S. Finals winner, while Phil Britt from Riverside, California, claimed victory in the World Championship held in Tokyo on June 10, 1984.

On December 18, 2008, Héctor Rodriguez from California set a new world record score of 95,350 points.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.twingalaxies.com/scoreboard/track-field/arcade/325/ | title= Twin Galaxies' Track & Field High Score Rankings | date= 2009-12-27 | url-status= dead | archive-url= https://archive.today/20130913181946/http://www.twingalaxies.com/scoreboard/track-field/arcade/325/ | archive-date= 2013-09-13}}</ref> This score surpassed the previous record of 95,040 points set by Kelly Kobashigawa from Los Angeles on June 30, 1985, during the 1985 Video Game Masters Tournament in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.<ref>"Guinness World Records 2008 - Gamer's Edition", page 251</ref><ref>[http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=22&sid=24532] [https://web.archive.org/web/20070727164014/http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=22 Archived copy] at [[WebCite]] (July 14, 2007).</ref>


==Legacy==
While not the first Olympic track-and-field game (it was preceded by ''[[Olympic Decathlon]]'' in 1980<ref name="reed">{{cite web|last1=Reed|first1=Matthew|title=Olympic Decathlon|url=http://www.trs-80.org/olympic-decathlon/|website=TRS-80.org|access-date=2021-05-04|archive-date=2022-02-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205043553/http://www.trs-80.org/olympic-decathlon/|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[The Activision Decathlon|Activision Decathlon]]'' in August 1983),<ref>{{cite web |title=Activision Decathlon (Registration Number PA0000189213) |url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov/ |website=[[United States Copyright Office]] |access-date=8 June 2021 |archive-date=26 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126193156/https://cocatalog.loc.gov/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Track & Field'' spawned other similar [[Olympic video games]] following its release.<ref name="YS"/> For example, [[Ocean Software]] developed a licensed adaptation for home computers titled ''[[Daley Thompson's Decathlon]]'' (1984).<ref name=":0">{{cite magazine |title=Daley takes the gold|magazine=Sinclair User |issue=32 |publisher=EMAP |date=November 1984|page=26|url=https://archive.org/stream/sinclair-user-magazine-032/SinclairUser_032_Nov_1984#page/n25/mode/1up|access-date=3 April 2020}}</ref> [[Epyx]] released its own multi-event collection with ''[[Summer Games (video game)|Summer Games]]'' and subsequently ''[[Summer Games II]]''. [[Dinamic Software|Dinamic]] published ''Video Olimpic'' for the ZX Spectrum in 1984.<ref>{{cite web |title=Video Olimpic |url=https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/5563/ZX-Spectrum/Video_Olimpic |website=Spectrum Computing |access-date=2021-05-03 |archive-date=2020-09-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921193712/https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/5563/ZX-Spectrum/Video_Olimpic |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Bandai]]'s entry was ''[[Stadium Events]]'' for the NES in 1986.

''Track & Field'' had a significant impact on the broader [[sports video game]] genre, leading to a resurgence of sports games in arcades during the 1980s. Following the release of ''Track & Field'', the arcade industry began producing sports games at levels not seen since the days of ''[[Pong]]'' and its clones nearly a decade earlier.<ref name="Lendino">{{cite book |last1=Lendino |first1=Jamie |title=Attract Mode: The Rise and Fall of Coin-Op Arcade Games |date=27 September 2020 |publisher=Steel Gear Press |pages=272, 334 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d6wCEAAAQBAJ |access-date=3 May 2021 |archive-date=6 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006172015/https://books.google.com/books?id=d6wCEAAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> Sports video games became increasingly popular after ''Track & Field'', with several successful arcade titles released in 1984, including [[Nintendo]]'s [[List of boxing video games|boxing]] game ''[[Punch-Out!! (arcade game)|Punch-Out]]'', the [[Nintendo VS. System]] titles ''[[Vs. Tennis]]'' and ''[[Vs. Baseball]]'', [[Taito]]'s [[List of American football video games|American football]] game ''[[10-Yard Fight]]'' and [[golf]] game ''[[Birdie King|Birdie King II]]'', and [[Data East]]'s ''[[Tag Team Wrestling]]''.<ref name="Sharpe"/>

[[Namco]]'s Yoshihiro Kishimoto cited ''Track & Field'' as the biggest influence on the [[side-scrolling]] platform game ''[[Pac-Land]]'' (1984). The game's controls were heavily inspired by ''Track & Field'', which allowed players to become faster by rapidly tapping the button in succession; Kishimoto found the concept intriguing and believed it would help ''Pac-Land'' stand out among other games.<ref name="Untold History">{{cite book |last1=Szczepaniak |first1=John |title=The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers Vol. 2 |date=4 November 2015 |isbn=978-1518655319 |pages=207–208 |edition=1}}</ref>

===Sequels===
Konami continued releasing games in the series:

* ''[[Hyper Sports]]'' (1984) (Arcade)
* ''Track & Field 2 / Hyper Olympic 2'' (1984) (MSX)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/msx/track-field-ii|title=Track & Field II for MSX|publisher=[[MobyGames]]|access-date=1 August 2014}}</ref>
* ''[[Konami '88]]'' (1988) (Arcade)
* ''[[Track & Field II]]'' (1988) (NES)
* ''Track & Field'' (1992) (Game Boy)
* ''[[International Track & Field]]'' (1996) (Arcade, PS, PSN)
* ''[[Nagano Winter Olympics '98|Hyper Olympics in Nagano]]'' (1998) (Arcade, N64, PS)
* ''[[International Track & Field 2000]]'' (1999) (PS, N64, GBC, DC, PS2)
* ''Konami Sports Series'' (2001) (Mobile phones)
* ''[[ESPN International Winter Sports 2002|Hyper Sports 2002 Winter]]'' (2002) (GC, PS2, Xbox, GBA)
* ''[[New International Track & Field]]'' (2008) (NDS)
* ''Hyper Sports Winter'' (2010) (iOS)
* ''Hyper Sports Track & Field'' (2010) (iOS)

===Re-releases===
The game appears in ''[[Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits]]'' for the Nintendo DS, but with an altered version of the Chariots of Fire theme. The Game Boy version was rereleased in color as part of the European ''[[Konami GB Collection Vol.2]]''.

The [[Xbox Live Arcade]] version of the game was released on the [[Xbox 360]] on 8 August 2007, with updated graphics and audio, leaderboards, and online play. It sold 297,307 copies as of 2011.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Langley |first1=Ryan |title=Xbox Live Arcade by the numbers - the 2011 year in review |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/39713/Xbox_Live_Arcde_by_the_numbers__the_2011_year_in_review.php |access-date=29 April 2020 |work=[[Gamasutra]] |publisher=[[UBM Technology Group]] |date=January 20, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731193152/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/39713/Xbox_Live_Arcde_by_the_numbers__the_2011_year_in_review.php |archive-date=July 31, 2021}}</ref>

[[Hamster Corporation]] released the game as part of the ''[[Arcade Archives]]'' series for the [[Nintendo Switch]] and [[PlayStation 4]] in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Calvert |first=Darren |date=2019-09-19 |title=Nintendo Download: 19th September (North America) |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/09/nintendo_download_19th_september_north_america |access-date=2025-09-14 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{KLOV game|id=10180|name=Track and Field}}
* ''[https://archive.today/20130913181946/http://www.twingalaxies.com/scoreboard/track-field/arcade/325/ Twin Galaxies High Score Rankings for Track and Field]''
* [http://www.centuri.net/tracknfield.htm ''Track and Field''] entry at the [[Centuri]].net Arcade Database
* {{WoS game|id=0005360|name=Track and Field}}

{{Konami Track & Field video games}}
{{Konami franchises}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Track and Field (video game)}}
[[Category:1983 video games]]
[[Category:1984 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Amstrad CPC games]]
[[Category:Arcade Archives games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Apple II games]]
[[Category:Atari 2600 games]]
[[Category:Atari 8-bit computer games]]
[[Category:Atari games]]
[[Category:Cancelled Atari 5200 games]]
[[Category:Centuri games]]
[[Category:Commodore 64 games]]
[[Category:Hamster Corporation games]]
[[Category:Kemco games]]
[[Category:Konami arcade games]]
[[Category:Konami franchises]]
[[Category:Konami games]]
[[Category:MSX games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:NEC PC-8001 games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Sharp X1 games]]
[[Category:Sport of athletics video games]]
[[Category:Summer Olympic video games]]
[[Category:Trackball video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games set in 1984]]
[[Category:Video games set in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:ZX Spectrum games]]