1999 · Golf · Sports

Links Extreme

A twisted version of Links LS. New Courses, New Game Modes (e.g. Poison, Deathmatch, Demolition Driving Range), exploding balls...fun for the whole family! Not your typical golf game, Links Extreme places emphasis on speed and timing instead of accuracy.

Released: 1999
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Golf Sports
Developers: —
Publishers: —
Series: Links
Perspective: Third person
Country: United States
Age ratings: ESRB T

About

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.

Links Extreme features unusual game modes and courses that are not common to the sport of golf. Critics felt that the game's concept was not handled well, and its small selection of two courses was particularly criticized.

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

Links Extreme features game modes and courses that are unusual to the sport of golf. Among the four unique game modes is Armadillo Al's Demolition Driving Range, in which the player uses exploding golf balls to hit targets such as armadillos, cows, and hot air balloons. The Extreme Golf mode features 17 pranks which affect a player's golf ball in different ways that can be harmful or beneficial to the player. In the Deathmatch and Poison game modes, the player is given a variety of exploding golf balls that are used to injure and ultimately kill the opponent golfer.

The Poison mode differs in that the player can choose between playing the course or attacking the opponent golfer. The game also includes stroke play.

Development

Links Extreme was developed by Access Software, using the same game engine as other Links games at the time. The game was announced in mid-1998, and its release was initially scheduled for October 11 of that year. Chris Jones, executive vice president for Access Software, described the game as "Indiana Jones meets Happy Gilmore on the golf course. It's designed for the golfer who wants to bend the rules, demolish some clubs, but most importantly, win at all costs."

Access Software acknowledged that the game was a risky idea, but believed that it would introduce golf to a broader audience, specifically younger gamers. The company stated that the game was not intended for the hardcore fans of the regular Links games.

Reception

The game received mixed reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.

Critics felt that the game did not push its concept far enough, and that the concept was not handled well. Marc Saltzman of GamePro called it "a great idea gone horribly wrong," and believed that Access Software could have done better at making a creative and fun game out of the concept. Shawn Nicholls of AllGame called the game "a mix of a good idea with poor execution," but believed that it achieved its "off-the-wall" aspect. Gordon Goble of CNET Gamecenter considered it an "intriguing alternative golfing concept that didn't translate well," and called it a "dumbed-down" version of Links.