Caveman Ughlympics
A Stone Age Olympics video game from 1988.
Caveman Ughlympics (also known as Caveman Ugh-lympics) is a 1988 video game that combines the Olympic theme with a Stone Age setting. It was created by Dynamix for the Commodore 64 and MS-DOS, and published by Electronic Arts. Data East later released a version for the Nintendo Entertainment System under the name Caveman Games.
The game consists of six events, each requiring specific keyboard or NES controller inputs. In the Saber Race, players dodge obstacles while being chased by a sabre-tooth tiger. Matetoss is similar to the hammer throw, but involves spinning and hurling a spouse. Firemaking is a race to build a full flame. Clubbing pits two players on a cliff, each trying to knock the other off or deplete their health with clubs. Dino Race has players riding a dinosaur through an obstacle course. Dino Vault requires pole-vaulting over a Tyrannosaurus rex.
Computer Gaming World gave the game a positive review, noting it is best with two to four players, and praised its humor. Reviewer David Wilson wrote that "the next time you find yourself longing for those simpler times and looking for a way to sate the barbarian within, don't lose your cool—boot up Caveman Ughlympics instead."
- Developer
- Dynamix
- Publisher
- Electronic Arts (Commodore 64, MS-DOS); Data East (NES)
- Platforms
- Commodore 64, MS-DOS, Nintendo Entertainment System
- Genre
- Olympic-themed sports video game
- Setting
- Stone Age
- Number of events
- 6
Quick Facts
- Title
- Caveman Ugh-Lympics
- Developer
- Dynamix
- Publisher
- Electronic Arts / Data East USA (NES)
- Released
- Commodore 64 / NA · 1988 · PAL · 1988 / MS-DOS / NA · 1989 / NES / NA · October 1990
- Genre
- Sports
- Modes
- Single-player, Multiplayer
- Platforms
- Commodore 64, MS-DOS, NES
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Caveman Ughlympics is a Stone Age Olympics played using different combinations of keys on the player's keyboard or the NES controller. The game consists of six events: Saber Race, Matetoss, Firemaking, Clubbing, Dino Race, and Dino Vault. In the Saber Race, the player races against an opponent while avoiding obstacles and a sabre tooth tiger running behind. Matetoss is similar to the hammer throw, where the player spins their wife/husband and tries to throw them as far as possible. Firemaking involves racing an opponent to create a full-burning fire. Clubbing has players facing off on a cliff with clubs, trying to club the opponent off the cliff or deplete their life meter. Dino Race has the player riding a dinosaur and racing against an opponent while avoiding obstacles. Dino Vault requires the player to pole vault over a Tyrannosaurus rex.
Reader's Guide
Caveman Ughlympics is notable as a 1988 Olympic-themed sports video game that adapts Olympic events to a Stone Age setting with humorous twists. The game was developed by Dynamix and published by Electronic Arts for the Commodore 64 and MS-DOS, with a separate NES version released by Data East as Caveman Games. Reception from Computer Gaming World was positive, with the game described as most enjoyable with 2-4 players. The game's humor was its most praised quality. David Wilson, reviewing for Computer Gaming World, stated that 'the next time you find yourself longing for those simpler times and looking for a way to sate the barbarian within, don't lose your cool—boot up Caveman Ughlympics instead.' The game's legacy lies in its niche appeal as a comedic multiplayer sports title from the late 1980s, remembered for its unconventional events and Stone Age theme.
Did You Know?
- The game includes an event called Matetoss, where the player spins and throws their wife or husband.
- The NES version was released by Data East under the title Caveman Games.
- Computer Gaming World praised the game's humor as its most notable quality.
- The game features six events: Saber Race, Matetoss, Firemaking, Clubbing, Dino Race, and Dino Vault.
More in Prehistoric people in popular culture 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record