Links is 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 was continued from 1990 to 2003. Several versions of the game and expansion packs (containing new courses and golfers 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.
In 2004, Microsoft sold the Salt Lake City studio to Take-Two Interactive, where it was renamed Indie Built. Indie Built was shut down in 2006.
Many members of the development team now work for TruGolf, a golf simulator company based out of Centerville, Utah.
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
- 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
- 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)
- Links 2001 (2001) Windows Microsoft Game Studios
- Links Expansion Pack (2001) Windows
- Links 2003 (2002) Windows Microsoft Game Studios
- Links 2003: Championship Courses (2002) Windows
- Links 2004 (2003) Xbox
- Links 2003: Championship Edition (2003) Windows (Includes Links 2003 and Links 2003: Championship Courses)
- Links Golf Courses Library (several versions)
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. 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.
Reception
Computer Gaming World in 1996 ranked the 1990 version of Links fifth on the magazine's list of the most innovative computer games, stating that the game "may have inspired more 'business machine upgrades' than any other game". In 1996 Next Generation ranked it 69th on their "Top 100 Games of All Time", contending that "many prefer EA's PGA series, but Links takes the title by a hair's breadth. With real life courses, and enough stats, sliders, and options to choke a horse, Links re-creates everything but the swing (which is still accomplished with a 'three click' power bar)."
Links LS 1998 was a runner-up for Computer Gaming World's 1997 "Sports Game of the Year" award, which ultimately went to Baseball Mogul and CART Precision Racing (tie). The editors wrote that Links LS 1998 "made the world's best golf simulation even better." Links LS 1998 was also the finalist for GameSpot's 1997 "Best Sports Game" award, losing to NHL 98. The editors wrote of LS 1998, "Each time Access Software releases a new version [of Links], it gets harder and harder to fathom how this game could get any better - yet it does."
Links LS 1999 was a finalist for Computer Gaming World's 1998 "Best Sports" award, which ultimately went to FIFA: Road to World Cup 98, FIFA 99 and World Cup 98 (collectively). PC Gamer US likewise nominated Links LS 1999 as the best sports game of 1998, although it lost to NBA Live 99. They wrote, "[W]hile the changes weren't revolutionary, enough was done to keep Links LS 1999 at the forefront of the very competitive golf category."
In the United States, Links 2001 sold 240,000 copies and earned $8.2 million by August 2006, after its release in October 2000. It was the country's 84th best-selling computer game between January 2000 and August 2006. Combined sales of all Links games released between January 2000 and August 2006 had reached 720,000 in the United States by the latter date.
In the United States, Links Championship Edition sold over 100,000 copies by August 2006.
References
External links
- Links series at MobyGames
