Track & Field in Barcelona released on the NES was a re-release in Europe in 1992 in the light of the 1992 Summer Olympics, earlier versions were simply known as Track & Field. The opening song for the NES version is the Chariots of Fire theme by Vangelis (which was also used in the arcade version's high score screen).

In the original arcade game, the player uses two "run" buttons (or a trackball in later units that replaced buttons damaged from overuse) and one "action" button to control an athlete competing in the following six events:

100 Meter Dash – Running by quickly alternating button presses.

Long jump – Running by alternating button press and correct timing for jump. Hold jump button to set angle (42 degrees is optimal).

Javelin throw – Running by alternating button presses and then using action button correct timing for angle (43 degrees is optimal).

110 Meter Hurdles – Running by alternating button presses and using action button to time hurdles

Hammer throw – Spinning initiated by pressing a run button once and then correctly timed press of action button to choose angle (45 is optimal).

High jump – Running (speed set by computer) and then action button must be held down to determine angle of jump. Once in the air, the run button can be rapidly pressed for additional height.