Stadium Events
| Stadium Events | |
|---|---|
 North American box art | |
| Developer(s) | Bandai |
| Publisher(s) | Bandai |
| Series | Family Fun Fitness |
| Platform(s) | NES |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Exergaming, sports |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Stadium Events[lower-alpha 1] is a 1986 sports fitness game developed and published by Bandai for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It is one of two games released in the Family Fun Fitness series, the other being Athletic World. Both games were designed and branded for the short-lived Family Fun Fitness mat accessory for the NES. Stadium Events allows players to compete in four different Olympic inspired sporting events, using the mat to move as they compete in running and jumping focused gameplay.
The North American version of Stadium Events was recalled by Nintendo shortly after its 1987 release because they wished to re-brand the Family Fun Fitness series and mat accessory as first party games. The game was re-released as World Class Track Meet and the new mat was titled the Power Pad. It is estimated that approximately 200 North American copies of Stadium Events were sold to consumers before the recall. Its subsequent rarity has led to high prices in the secondary video game collecting market.
Gameplay
Stadium Events is a fitness game that allows the players to compete in four different sporting events: 100M dash, 110M hurdles, long jump, and triple jump.[1] The game utilizes the Family Fun Fitness control mat which supports up to two players simultaneously, although up to six alternating players can be registered for each event.[2] The left side of the mat must be used for the dash and hurdle events, while the other events can use either side. The top speed of the player's runner is dependent upon which row of buttons on the mat is used. If the player lifts their feet slightly before the starting signal, it is considered a false start.[3]
The 100M dash pits two players against each other in a race. The 110 hurdles is similar to the dash, but the players must jump when white box markers appear along the edge of the screen. The long jump has the players running and then jumping and staying in the air as long as possible to record a longer distance. The triple jump is similar to the long jump but includes three seperate jump markers.[4] In tournament mode, the player must be computer players at the 100M dash and 110M hurdle events. The player must beat each of the six computer players at both the dash and hurdle events in order to win. In this mode, three false starts results in a disqualification.[3] In another mode, "The Olympics", numerous players can compete in all four events consecutively. In this mode, the Guiness 1982 world track record is used as a reference for scoring standards.[5]
Release
Stadium Events was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in North America in September 1987.[6] Shortly after its release, Stadium Events was recalled because Nintendo wished to grant the Family Fun Fitness series with first party production. The game was re-released as World Class Track Meet alongside the Power Pad NES accessory. The PAL version was not recalled.[7]
Rarity
Approximately 2000 North American (NTSC) copies of Stadium Events are believed to have been distributed to retailers before being recalled. Of these 2000 copies, it has been suggested that no more than 200 were actually sold. It is believed that no more than 10-20 complete copies with their boxes and instructions still exist today.[7][8] Loose cart-only copies have been known to sell for over $10,000 while a brand new copy has sold for $35,100.[9][10][11] Since the PAL version of Stadium Events was not recalled, it is not as valuable, although some eBay sellers try to sell them as such. Contrary to Stadium Events, the World Track Class Meet re-release and the Power Pad accessory became very common and were even bundled with consoles.[7]
See also
Notes and references
- Notes
- ↑ Stadium Events is known in Japan as Running Stadium (ランニングスタジアム Ranningu Sutajiamu)
- References
- ↑ Stadium Events instruction manual pg. 1-3 (NTSC, NES)
- ↑ Stadium Events instruction manual pg. 4-7 (NTSC, NES)
- 1 2 Stadium Events instruction manual pg. 8-11 (NTSC, NES)
- ↑ Stadium Events instruction manual pg. 12-19 (NTSC, NES)
- ↑ Stadium Events instruction manual pg. 20-21 (NTSC, NES)
- ↑ "Stadium Events". GameSpot. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
- 1 2 3 "The Rarest and Most Valuable NES Games | RetroGaming with Racketboy". Racketboy.com. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
- ↑ "8 very rare (and very expensive) video games". www.cnn.com. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
- ↑ "Family Fun Fitness Stadium Events Prices (NES) | Compare Loose, CIB & New Prices". PriceCharting. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
- ↑ Claiborn, By Samuel. "7 of the Rarest Nintendo Treasures Ever Made". IGN. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
- ↑ "Super-Rare NES Game Sold for $35,100". GameSpot. Retrieved 7 May 2016.