Beijing 2008

The Olympics - competition of champions! They might have been around since the ancient world was less ancient, but this is the first time they've been around with all of 2008's accumulated knowledge to spare you the effort of tortuous training to get involved. To go with the games in Beijing, SEGA has Beijing 2008 to save you the hassle of ever having to leave your house as you prove your worth against the world's finest athletes. There are a whopping 38 events to try your hand at, ranging from the usual staples such as the 100m sprint to less recognised events such as Judo.

Much thought has been given to dodging the usual button-mashing mechanics of track and field events. In the 100m, for example, a new start block mechanic has been introduced that makes use of the trigger buttons to get you on your way. The game features several modes, including the requisite training mode and the option to set up custom competitions. There's also the 'Olympics' mode, in which players must rank highly enough in events to progress. As you go, you'll be able to customise who's on your team, swapping different athletes in and out as you see fit.