Game Information

Original Release Date: July 01, 1987

Platforms: Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Apple IIGS, Atari 2600, Atari Lynx, Atari ST/STE, Commodore C64/128/MAX, DOS, Legacy Mobile Device, MSX, Nintendo Entertainment System, PC (Microsoft Windows), Sega Master System/Mark III, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Wii, ZX Spectrum

Involved Companies: Erbe Software, Milton Bradley, Sega, Epyx, U.S. Gold, Atari, Epyx, Westwood Associates, Kixx, Choice Software, Designer Software, Novotrade, Sega, MFORMA Group Inc., Rare, Commodore Gaming, Melbourne House, Pixel Games UK, Tec Toy

Genres: Sport

Summary: Introducing the gnarliest bunch of games under the sun. Games invented on the beaches by sun-baked beach bums with a fondness for ripping, grinding, and shredding. With six radically thrilling events intended to bring you to the edge and blow your mind. And make adrenaline California's most plentiful natural resource. Wish they all could be California Games. Get ready to shred the face off an awesomely tubular wave. Turn a "berm" on a BMX bike and spray up a wall of dirt. Launch a few feet off-the-lip with your skateboard tucked high. And while you're up there, dance for the crowd. Or if you're feeling like kicking back a bit, float a flying disk, juggle a foot bag with your heels, or just slalom the boardwalk on skates. When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. But this ain't beach blanket bingo. In fact, before you even set foot on California turf, you'll choose an on-screen sponsor from among the heaviest names on the circuit. Then, hit the competition route. Prizes include trophies for a single event and a top prize in overall competition. So get air. Go crazy. Welcome to a new state of intensity. California Games was the original "Extreme Games" – what today's generation might call "X-Games in the sun". Players can select sponsors (absent in some versions) and compete in events such as skateboarding, footbag, surfing, roller skating, flying disc (frisbee) and BMX. The surfing event is ranked by judges, which give a score to help the players improve their routine. The Atari versions (2600 and Lynx) of the game omit the flying disc and roller skating events, while the Genesis version omits only the flying disc event.