In the UK, the game was first released by Quicksilva[1] and subsequently by U.S. Gold who later created versions for the Amiga, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC and Atari ST for inclusion in compilations.

The game is presented as a virtual multi-sport competition called the "Epyx Games" (there was no official IOC licensing in place) with up to eight players each choosing a country to represent, and then taking turns competing in various events to try for a medal.

Epyx sold more than 250,000 copies of Summer Games by November 1989;[4] Ahoy!

The magazine wrote that though the games had great graphics for their time, their most defining qualities were their competitive multiplayer modes and "level of control that has yet to be equaled".

[7] In a retrospective review, Atari 7800 Forever gave only a 2.0 out of 5, criticizing the boring events.