Sport of Kings

Genre:

Sports

Year:

1989

Developer:

DesignStar Consultants

Publisher:

Virgin Mastertronic

Perspective:

Other

Theme:

Managerial

Releases:

Amstrad CPC (1986), ZX Spectrum (1986), Commodore 64 (1986)

Also known as:

Omni-Play Horse Racing

In 1989, the world of horse racing simulation galloped onto the DOS platform with Sport of Kings, also known as Omni-Play Horse Racing. This game, developed by DesignStar Consultants and published by MicroProse, offered a unique and detailed foray into the intricate and prestigious world of horse racing. Setting itself apart from the typical arcade-style sports games of its era, Sport of Kings catered to enthusiasts looking for a more strategic and management-oriented experience. The procedure is simple: the player sets a bet, the game calculates the race results (the graphical representation is side-scrolling) and, depending on the result, the winnings are paid out. If less then eight horses participate (the number can be freely set up to 75), only the 1st and 2nd place count. Of course it is recommended to consult the statistics of the horse and jockey before setting a bet. However, the statistics of each horse are determined randomly, so the form is only available after a few races. The game allows to calculate a few automatic races in the beginning to circumvent this.