Track & Field
1983 · Sports · Arcade
Overview
Track & Field (1983) is Konami's Olympic arcade game of six events, won by hammering run buttons as fast as possible — hard on fingers and machines alike.
Deep Dive
Track & Field covers the 100m dash, long jump, javelin, 110m hurdles, hammer throw and high jump. Speed comes from alternately hammering two run buttons, while a third button handles the jump or throw at the right moment and angle, and each event has a qualifying mark to beat. The button-mashing was so punishing that players wore the skin off their fingers and cabinets wore out buttons, but the game's head-to-head competition made it a sensation.
Developer Story
Track & Field was developed by Konami in 1983. The game simulated six Olympic events using button-mashing mechanics: players hammered two buttons alternately to run, then pressed a third for action (jump, throw). The physical button-mashing wore out both arcade buttons and players' fingers — "Track & Field hand" (skin worn from rapid button tapping) was a reported condition among heavy players.
Did You Know?
- "Track and Field hand" was a real condition — players wore the skin off their fingers hammering buttons to run faster.
- Some players used coins, pencils, and other objects to hammer buttons faster than human fingers could manage.
- The six events were genuinely modelled on Olympic disciplines: 100m, long jump, hammer throw, 110m hurdles, javelin, and high jump.
- Konami timed the game's release to coincide with the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
Sources & further reading
- Track & Field (video game) — Wikipedia
