Links | |
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Genre(s) | Sports |
Links is a series of golf simulation video games, first developed by Access Software, and then later by Microsoft after it acquired Access Software in 1999. Microsoft also produced its own series of golf games based on Links, under the title Microsoft Golf. The Links series was a flagship brand for Access, and was continued from 1990 to 2003. The first game in the series, Links: The Challenge of Golf , won Computer Gaming World's 1991 Action Game of the Year award. [1]
Several versions of the game and expansion packs (containing new courses [2] and golfers [3] mainly) were created for the Mac and PC over the years. In 1996, Access Software introduced Links LS 1997 , the first of several Links games to use the LS (Legends in Sports) title. [4] A version for the Xbox named Links 2004 was released in November 2003. It would be the final game in the series. In March 2004, Microsoft announced the cancellation of its 2004 lineup of sports games, allowing the company to focus on improving such games. The company stated, "Links is something that we're taking a hard look at what we need to do." [5] At the end of 2004, Microsoft sold Indie Built (formerly Access Software) to Take-Two Interactive. [6] [7] Indie Built was later shut down in 2006.
Many members of the development team now work for TruGolf, a golf simulator company based out of Centerville, Utah. [8] In 2021, TruGolf re-acquired the rights to the Links series, re-releasing classic editions on GOG, as well as a new title, Links E6, the first in 17 years.
The following games were developed by Access Software
Microsoft produced the following games after its purchase of Access Software in 1999.
The following disks add additional courses to the main Links games.
Before its purchase of Access Software, Microsoft published a series of golf games similar to Links, under the title Microsoft Golf. The first three games in the series are Windows-compatible versions of the early Links games, which were published for DOS. The first three entries in the Microsoft Golf series were developed by Access Software for Microsoft, and were sometimes labeled by publications as Links Lite. [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] Microsoft subsequently published Microsoft Golf 1998 Edition and 1999 Edition , which were developed by Friendly Software as separate games not based on Links. [17] [21] [22] After Access Software was acquired by Microsoft in 1999, Microsoft produced Microsoft Golf 2001 Edition , which was based on Links, and then discontinued the Microsoft Golf series to continue with the Links series. The following games were produced in the Microsoft Golf series:
Game | GameRankings | Metacritic |
---|---|---|
Links LS 1999 | 85% [23] | |
Links Extreme | 51% [24] | |
Links LS 2000 | 79% [25] | |
Links 2001 | 86/100 [26] | |
Links 2003 | 82/100 [27] | |
Links 2004 | 80/100 [28] |
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". [29] 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)." [30]
During 1999, Links LS 2000 sold 104,225 copies and earned $4.6 million in the United States. [31] Links 2001 rose to 240,000 copies and $8.2 million in the United States by August 2006, which made it the 84th-best-selling computer game released between January 2000 and August 2006 in the region. Combined sales of all Links games released in the 2000s reached 720,000 copies in the United States by August 2006. [32]
In the United States, Links Championship Edition sold over 100,000 copies by August 2006. [32]
Links 2003 was a nominee for PC Gamer US 's "2002 Best Sports Game" award, which ultimately went to Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003 . The magazine's Dan Morris called Links 2003 "a terrific game". [33]
Ichitaro is a Japanese word processor produced by JustSystems, a Japanese software company. Ichitaro occupies the second share in Japanese word-processing software, behind Microsoft Word. It is one of the main products of the company. Its proprietary file extension is ".JTD". ATOK, an IME developed by JustSystems, is bundled with Ichitaro.
Action Replay is the brand name of a cheating device created by Datel. The Action Replay is available for many gaming systems including the Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 2, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, and the Xbox. The name is derived from the first devices’ signature ability to pause the execution of the software and save the computer's state to disk or tape for future “replay”. The ability to manipulate the contents of memory in this paused state permitted the cheat functions for which the brand is now better known.
Papyrus Design Group, Inc. was a computer game developer founded in 1987 by David Kaemmer and CEO Omar Khudari. Based in Watertown, Massachusetts, it is best known for its series of realistic sim racing games based on the NASCAR and IndyCar leagues, as well as the unique Grand Prix Legends. Papyrus was acquired by Sierra On-Line in late 1995 and Omar Khudari left Papyrus soon after that. Dave Kaemmer left Papyrus in late 2002, just before the release of NASCAR Racing 2003 Season (NR2003).
Access Software, Inc. was an American video game developer based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Founded in November 1982 by Bruce Carver and Chris Jones, the company created the Beach Head, Links and Tex Murphy series, as well as Raid over Moscow. Access Software was acquired by Microsoft in April 1999, transitioning in name twice before being acquired by Take-Two Interactive in October 2004, receiving the name Indie Built. In January 2005, Access Software became part of Take-Two's 2K label. Following a poor financial performance at Take-Two, Indie Built was closed down in May 2006.
Jack Nicklaus 4 is a 1997 sports golf video game. It was published by Accolade, and is the fourth in a series of video games named after golfer Jack Nicklaus, following Jack Nicklaus Golf & Course Design: Signature Edition (1992). The original Microsoft Windows version was developed by Cinematronics. Versions were also released for Macintosh and DVD. A PlayStation version titled Jack Nicklaus '98 was also in development. The game was followed by Jack Nicklaus 5, released later in 1997.
Links 2003 is a golf video game developed by Microsoft and published by Microsoft Game Studios. It is part of the Links series and was released for Microsoft Windows in 2002. It follows Links 2001 and was followed by Links 2004. The game includes six courses, a course designer, and four professional golfers: David Toms, Jesper Parnevik, Sergio García, and Annika Sörenstam. Links 2003 introduces a golf swing method that works in real time as the player makes the shot.
The AFL video game series is a series of Australian rules football video games licensed and based on the VFL/AFL.
Links 2001 is a golf video game developed and published by Microsoft. It is part of the Links series and follows Links LS 2000. It is the first game in the series to include a golf course designer, allowing the player to create custom courses. It also features Arnold Palmer, Sergio García, and Annika Sörenstam as playable golfers.
Links LS 1997 is a golf video game developed and published by Access Software for DOS. It was released in 1996, and is part of the Links video game series, following Links 386 Pro (1992). It was followed by Links LS 1998.
Links 386 Pro is a golf simulation sports game for MS-DOS released in 1992. It is part of the Links series, and was developed by Access Software as the follow-up to Links: The Challenge of Golf (1990). A Macintosh version, Links Pro, was released in 1994. An enhanced version called Links 386 CD was released for PC in 1995 that included audio comments by comedian Bobcat Goldthwait acting as the player's caddie, and an aerial flyby of each hole streamed from the game's CD-ROM. Re-branded versions of the game were also released for Microsoft Windows under the titles Microsoft Golf 2.0 (1994) and Microsoft Golf 3.0 (1996), part of the Microsoft Golf series.
Links LS 1998 is a golf video game developed and published by Access Software. It is part of the Links video game series, following Links LS (1996). It was released in 1997, and is the first game in the series to be published for Microsoft Windows. The game was well received, and was followed by Links LS 1999.
Links LS 1999 is a video game developed and published by Access Software for Microsoft Windows in 1998, and is part of the Links video game series.
Jack Nicklaus is a series of golf video games named after golfer Jack Nicklaus. The first game, Jack Nicklaus' Greatest 18 Holes of Major Championship Golf, was developed by Sculptured Software and published by Accolade. It was released for various platforms beginning in 1988. Accolade would publish subsequent games in the series for the next decade, before selling the rights to Activision in 1998. Activision published a sixth game in the series, Jack Nicklaus 6: Golden Bear Challenge, in 1999, but chose not to publish a sequel due to poor sales. The next game in the series, Jack Nicklaus Perfect Golf, was released by a new company in 2016.
Links: The Challenge of Golf is a golf video game developed by Access Software. It was published for MS-DOS in 1990, followed by the Amiga in 1992. A Sega CD version, developed by Papyrus Design Group, was released in 1994. It is the first game in the Links series, and was followed by Links 386 Pro (1992). A Microsoft Windows version, titled Microsoft Golf, was released in 1992 as the first game in the Microsoft Golf series.
Microsoft Golf 2001 Edition is a 2000 golf video game developed and published by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows. It is the final game in the Microsoft Golf series, and the successor to Microsoft Golf 1999 Edition. It uses the same game engine as Links LS 2000 (1999), part of Microsoft's Links series of golf games.
Links LS 2000 is a golf video game developed by Access Software and published by Microsoft. It is part of the Links series and was released in 1999 for Microsoft Windows, and in 2000 for Macintosh. It was followed by Links 2001.
Microsoft Golf 1998 Edition is a 1998 golf video game developed by American studio Friendly Software and published by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows. It is the fourth game in the Microsoft Golf series, following Microsoft Golf 3.0. The game uses a revamped design that is substantially different from its predecessors.
Microsoft Golf 1999 Edition is a golf video game developed by American studio Friendly Software and published by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows. It was released in the United States in late 1998. It is the fifth game in the Microsoft Golf series, following Microsoft Golf 1998 Edition, which was also developed by Friendly Software.
Links Extreme is a 1999 golf video game developed by Access Software and published by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows. It is the first game in the Links series to be published by Microsoft, which purchased Access Software a month prior to the game's release.
Front Page Sports: Golf is a golf simulation video game developed by Headgate Studios and published by Sierra On-Line for Microsoft Windows. The game was released in 1997, after nearly three years of development. It was particularly praised for its TrueSwing method, in which the player uses the computer mouse to simulate the golf swing.
Microsoft's golf sims in the past could be best described as "Links Lite": they were basically slightly modified versions of the venerable Links series.
Licensed from Access Software, versions 1-3 were essentially LINKS LITE [...]
[...] previous incarnations of Microsoft Golf were essentially Links Lite for Windows.