Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Daley Thompson’s Super-Test delivers a broad suite of sporting challenges that keeps players on their toes from start to finish. Each event sets a clear world-record benchmark, inviting gamers to beat the target time, distance, or score on three available lives. Failure comes swiftly, as missing a single mark costs you a life, and only by mastering all events can you progress to the next, tougher circuit of trials.

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The variety of events—from cycling and ski jumping to pistol shooting and tug of war—ensures that no two rounds feel alike. Controls range from frantic joystick waggling to carefully timed button presses, depending on the discipline. For instance, rowing and hurdles demand rapid, sustained input, while pistol shooting requires precision and strategic timing, making every event a unique test of skill.

For owners of the ZX Spectrum 128K version, the inclusion of four extra events (100 metres hurdles, javelin, sprint, and triple jump) doubles down on replayability. The increasing difficulty curve keeps seasoned players challenged, and the simple “three lives” system adds genuine tension—one slip-up, and you’re back to the start. Ultimately, the gameplay loop of striving for incremental improvement and new personal bests is remarkably addictive.

Graphics

On platforms like the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum, Daley Thompson’s Super-Test leans into the visual strengths—and limitations—of 8-bit hardware. Sprites are simple but distinct, with each athlete rendered in a handful of colors that capture the spirit of each event. Animations are economical: you’ll see the skier launch and land in a handful of frames, but the motion feels smooth enough for its era.

The backgrounds are functional rather than flashy, offering clear visual cues for timing-based events. In skiing and diving, for example, the horizon line and water surface provide necessary reference points. Though static between attempts, these backdrops do their job, letting players focus on controls and timing without distraction.

Color palettes vary by machine. On the Amstrad, events pop with brighter hues, while the Spectrum’s limited colors sometimes result in muddier visuals. Still, each version keeps enough character to distinguish events and on-screen indicators, ensuring that you always know when to pull the trigger or push the joystick. While not revolutionary, the graphics serve the gameplay solidly.

Story

As a licensed title bearing Daley Thompson’s name, Super-Test doesn’t weave a traditional narrative but rather thrusts players into the role of a decathlon hopeful chasing greatness. The “story” unfolds through performance milestones: clear one event, then another, and soon you’re facing increasingly daunting world-record targets that stand in for a rising tournament bracket or championship leaderboard.

The absence of cutscenes or dialogue is hardly a drawback here. Instead, the game’s progression—cycling through eight or twelve events, depending on your machine—creates its own dramatic tension. Each successful attempt feels like crossing another finish line, and the relentless pursuit of improved times and distances becomes the player’s personal storyline.

Daley Thompson himself is more of a brand ambassador than an in-game character, but his reputation lends authenticity. The real-life champion’s involvement underlines the game’s focus on athletic achievement and fosters a sense of playing under the watchful eye of a world-class competitor.

Overall Experience

Daley Thompson’s Super-Test stands out as a quintessential 8-bit sports compilation, delivering a broad array of events and a challenge that scales with your skill level. The three-life system injects tension into even routine runs, ensuring that each joystick wag or timed button press holds stakes. Veterans of early sports sims will find nostalgia here, while newcomers can appreciate the straightforward “beat the record” formula.

The game’s difficulty curve may frustrate casual players initially, but perseverance pays off. Beating your own best times and distances offers genuine satisfaction, and the additional events in the 128K Spectrum version provide hours of extra content. The lightweight graphics and sound won’t compete with modern titles, but they suit the arcade-style gameplay perfectly.

Ultimately, Daley Thompson’s Super-Test remains an engaging retro sports title worthy of attention from fans of classic gaming. Its mix of frantic action, timing challenges, and incremental progression makes it a must-try for anyone curious about the roots of multi-event sports simulations. If you’re seeking an accessible yet demanding test of your reflexes and timing skills, this game delivers in spades.

Retro Replay Score

6.8/10