Beijing 2008 - The Official Video Game of the Olympic Games

So, sure--Beijing may not be gold-quality throughout, but it's the best Olympics game we've had since, well...probably ever.

Although it’s not an essential buy, it can very well capitalize on the fever around the Olympic Games. Especially because it has a good amount of competitions, online modes and worldwide rankings. Just a word of advice…your fingers will probably pay a heavy price. [July 2008]

Beijing 2008 isn't doing anything all that new, but there's just something undeniably addictive about going for high scores and fastest times. If you've got an urge to twiddle an analogue stick faster than any human knew was possible you can do a lot worse.

A game such as this is much like a big bag of mixed lollies. There’s yummy stuff like Freckles and Sherbies, but there will always be a big, yucky aniseed ball or three lurking in the bag to keep a nasty taste in your mouth.

It’s actually quite good in multiplayer and if you enjoy setting records then the same can be said for the competition side of it.

Even breaking virtual World and Olympic records and having them displayed online for eternal glory is possible. But for others wanting a fun arcade-like game, Beijing 2008 is likely to just end up being too much work.

Unfortunately, Beijing 2008 transmits hardly any atmosphere. Is a view of the stadium or sportsmen preparing for competition in the background too much to ask for? Nevertheless, due to the huge amount of disciplines, the game still is fun.

And this wouldn't be so bad, except for the draconian daily qualification requirements you face during the Olympic Games mode.

Track and field video games usually consist of endless button mashing, and this is no exception. Luckily most of the modes in this game demands some form of precision-based challenges as well as pure button mashing, making the experience at least a teeny bit varied. Unfortunately most of the challenges feel like they are up to chance rather than skill. This is a decent attempt at a track and field experience, nothing more.

It’s as though no effort has gone into the gameplay beyond what merely works, and little thought has been given into making either the main single player or multiplayer modes fun or worth pursuing.

Complex controls put this out of touch. [Aug 2008, p.80]

Beijing 2008 doesn't escape from the stereotypical Olympic Games video game mold – it's a series of some good and bad mini-games that, while somewhat fun with others, don’t amount to much entertainment.

Destined to reside in a graveyard of Sixaxis controllers and shattered British medal hopes, but fondly remembered during periods of intense hangover.

The heart of an Olympics game is the multiplayer mode, and this is exactly where Beijing falls short. [Sept 2008, p.76]

The tedious button-mashing might be fun when watching your friends make amusing faces while pounding their way to the finish line, but any extended time would be better invested in watching the actual games themselves. See you in four years, Summer Olympics.

It's the official game of the event, but unlike the real thing there's nothing particularly ground-breaking about Beijing 2008. What you see is what you get, and with nearly 40 events it's a lot to cover. Unfortunately they're mostly similar to play and the awful controls ruin what could have been a solid title.

Shambles. [Aug 2008, p.104]

Reliving the real-life Olympics is a far better option that trying to experience them in a virtual realm; this game will frustrate, annoy, and soon tire most any gamer.

Beijing 2008 proves beyond a doubt that rapidly pushing buttons is not fun.