Winter Games

Winter Games brings Epyx’s multi-event winter sports competition to the NES in a compact 1987 release published by Acclaim. Rather than following a story, it lets one or two players take part in a selection of cold-weather events, with the emphasis on learning each event’s controls and improving performance through practice.

The lineup includes familiar challenges such as bobsled, luge, ski jumping, speed skating, figure skating, and freestyle skiing. Each discipline handles differently. Racing events demand quick, repeated inputs and careful control of speed, while sliding events are all about steering through the course without losing momentum. Ski jumping combines a controlled approach with timing at the takeoff, and figure skating and freestyle events ask players to perform movements accurately rather than simply hold a button. The NES hardware gives the game a straightforward presentation, but the distinct events provide enough variety to keep a competition moving.

Winter Games is best enjoyed as a friendly contest. With two players, a single mistake can change the standings, and the simple controls make it easy for newcomers to join in while still leaving room for experienced players to refine their technique. The event-by-event structure also suits short sessions, whether you want to try one favorite sport or run through a full winter tournament.

Some of the original computer versions of Winter Games are remembered for their larger presentation and broader event selection, but the NES edition remains an approachable snapshot of Epyx’s sports-game style. If you enjoy timing-based arcade challenges and classic head-to-head competition, you can play online on your browser through RetroCloud and revisit this unusual piece of NES sports history.