by Al Shield

Created on: June 09, 2009   Last Updated: June 25, 2009

Ah! Olympics based video games - the last time I played one it was on the Sega Master System and it ended with bruised fingers, a busted controller and an instant hatred of Olympic based video games. More than 15 years later, I decided to give the Xbox 360's Beijing Olympics the benefit of doubt. And that benefit really didn't last all that long.

Given the choice between playing this game and actually training for four very long years and hoping beyond hope that you do beat the best of your home country to be a part of the Olympics, it's probably easier to score a medal by quitting your job and strapping on the colored tights.

To say this game is difficult to master is like hoping a 3 year old will finish your calculus homework, complete with the working out process explained in concise terms.

Graphically speaking it does the Xbox 360 proud. Cheering crowds, realistic looking nationalities, the famous Beijing National Stadium and the medal presenting ceremonies it's all there. I was also happy to see the introduction of each country in their corresponding lane between the track races and the look of the expectant athlete with their coaches, waiting for the judges score after some events.

However as realistic as this gets to representing the passion most of us can only experience from our TV screens, the fun stops right there.

The Xbox 360 has a severe lack of 2 player games and this attempt to further cash in on the Olympic spirit is like loading up a nail-gun and hammering the trigger on the coffin that belongs Olympic inspired video games. I hired it to pass a lazy few hours away but along with my not so curious better half (Olympics? Seriously, you want to hire this?) discovered how to smash up a 360 controller in record time.

Each event has a tutorial section included but fails to reveal a fatal flaw unless you had way too much time as a thirteen year old who found his dad's nudie mag collection, your hand reflexes won't be up to scratch. You bash, smash, wrangle and just about yell at your controller to get your athlete up to speed but with horrible control processes and way too many steps to remember, your poor computer persona wheezes along like an asthmatic cat with three legs. In the hurdles event I earned the name 'Bulldozer' by plowing through every hurdle bar one while trying to figure out how to jump anywhere near where you should. The girlfriend did manage a jump successfully in the long jump but it was a random mashing of buttons and control

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