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Activision’s Decathlon is one of many track & field athletics arcade games known as a ‘joystick waggler’. One or two players can play against each other in individual events, or choose to go through them all. A decathlon comprises of ten events in total – three out and out races (100, 400 and 1500 meters), three throwing events (shot putt (spelt incorrectly in the game itself!), discus, javelin), and four jumping events (110 meter hurdles, high jump, long jump and the pole vault).

All of the events require rapid moving of the joystick from left to right and back again to gain speed. For events that involve more than just running, the fire button has to be pressed at strategic points to release a throwing object, jump, etc.