Links (video game)

Links was the name of a series of golf simulation computer games, first developed by Access Software, and then later by Microsoft Game Studios after Microsoft acquired Access Software. The line of golf games was a flagship brand for Access, and the series spanned several years: from 1990 to 2003. Several versions of the game and expansion packs (containing new courses^[1] and golfers^[2] mainly) were created for the Mac and PC over the years. A version for the Xbox named Links 2004 was released in November 2003. In 1991, Links won Computer Gaming World's 1991 Action Game of the Year award.^[3]

In 2004, Microsoft sold the Salt Lake City studio to Take-Two Interactive, where it was renamed Indie Built. Indie Built was subsequently shut down in 2006. It is therefore unlikely that Take-Two will produce any additional versions of Links.

Although Microsoft no longer produces the Links series, there are several Links community websites offering multiplayer gameplay plus access to hundreds of freely available add on golf courses.

List of Links games

Access Software

• Leaderboard Golf (1984) Commodore 64
• World Class Leader Board (1987) DOS
• Links: The Challenge of Golf (1990) Amiga, DOS^[4]
• Links: Championship Course: Pinehurst Country Club (1991) DOS
• Links: Championship Course: Firestone Country Club (1991) Amiga, DOS
• Links: Championship Course: Hyatt Dorado Beach Resort (1991) DOS
• Links: Championship Course: Bay Hill Club & Lodge (1991) DOS
• Links: Championship Course: Bountiful Golf Course (1991) Amiga, DOS
• Links: Championship Course: Barton Creek (1991) DOS
• Links: Championship Course: Mauna Kea (1992) DOS
• Links: Championship Course: Troon North (1992) DOS
• Links 386 Pro (1992) DOS
• Links: Championship Course: Banff Springs (1992) DOS
• Links: Championship Course: The Belfry (1992) DOS
• Links: Championship Course: Innisbrook - Copperhead (1993) DOS
• Links: Championship Course: Pebble Beach (1993) DOS
• Links Pro (1993) Macintosh
• Links: Championship Course: Bighorn (1994) DOS
• Links: Championship Course: Castlepines (1994) DOS
• Links: Championship Course: Prairie Dunes (1995) DOS
• Links: Championship Course: Cog Hill (1995) DOS
• Links: Championship Course: Riviera (1995) DOS
• Links: Fantasy Course: Devils Island (1995) DOS
• Links LS 1997 (1996) DOS
• Links Championship Course: Pelican Hill (1996) DOS, Windows
• Links LS 1998 (1997) Microsoft Windows 95
• Links Championship Course: Valderrama (1997) Windows
• Links Championship Course: Oakland Hills (1997) Windows
• Links: Championship Course: Valhalla (1997) Windows
• Links LS 1999 (1998) Windows
• Links Championship Course: Congressional Country Club (1998) Windows

Microsoft Game Studios

• Golf (1994) Windows 3.1
• Golf 2.0 (1995) Windows 3.1/95
• Golf 3.0 (1996) Windows 95
• Golf 1998 Edition (1998) Windows 95
• Golf 1999 Edition (1999) Windows 95
• Golf 2001 Edition (2000)
• Links Extreme (1999) Windows^[5]
• Links LS 2000 (2000) Windows
• Links LS 2000 10 Course Pack (2000) Windows
• Links Championship Edition (2001) Windows (Includes Links 2001, Links Expansion Pack 1, a Course Designer, a Course Converter and 4 new courses) ^[6]
• Links 2001 (2001) Windows Microsoft Game Studios
• Links Expansion Pack (2001) Windows
• Links 2003 (2002) Windows Microsoft Game Studios^[7]
• Links 2003: Championship Courses (2002) Windows
• Links 2004 (2003) Xbox ^[8]
• Links 2003: Championship Edition (2003) Windows (Includes Links 2003 and Links 2003: Championship Courses) ^[9]
• Links Golf Courses Library (several versions)^[10]

Note: Microsoft Golf 1.0-3.0 are just Access' Links 386 redesigned to run natively under Microsoft Windows. Golf 1998 Edition and 1999 Editions were produced by Friendly Software.^[11] After Access Software was acquired by Microsoft in 1999, Microsoft produced Golf 2001, which was based on Links, and then discontinued the Golf series to continue with the Links series.

References

1. ^ Devil's island course expansion on GameSpot
2. ^ Davis Love III golfer expansion from TheComputerShow.com
3. ^ Staff (November 1991). "Computer Gaming World's 1991 Games of the Year Awards". Computer Gaming World (Golden Empire Publications, Inc) (88): 38–40, 58. 
4. ^ Links: The Challenge of Golf at MobyGames
5. ^ Links Extreme comment at Games.net
6. ^ Microsoft LPGA Press Release
7. ^ Links 2003 comment at GameNationTV.com
8. ^ Links 2004 review at ArmChairEmpire.com
9. ^ Links 2003 Championship Edition Press Release
10. ^ Links Golf Courses Library^{[dead link]} at LangKong.com
11. ^ http://www.friendlysoftware.com/Products.htm

External links

• Master List of Available Courses at Microsoft.com
• Online golf games, updates for Links 2003, and addon courses at LinksCountryClub.com
• Links series at MobyGames
• Links Extreme free demo
• List of free available courses at LinksCorner.org