Mini Putt

Mini Putt was released for the same year Electronic Arts released the similarly themed Zany Golf, however Mini Putt had already previously existed on other computer platforms.

From what you might gather from the title alone, Mini Putt lacks the sparkle Zany Golf has. But it's a fun little game, let down by some below average graphics and lack of sound.

The game is played entirely with the mouse, the opening menu screen giving you several options to begin playing. After selecting a course or hole to play and after the names of the players have been entered you'll be at the beginning of a nine-hole course. To putt your ball, aim the mouse pointer to where you wish to hit it and pressing the mouse button once will start a thermometer gauge for the power of the putt. Once power has been selected, you'll then need to line up the putt with a second thermometer gauge straight after the first one has finished, by pressing the mouse button when the gauge is in the middle. Hint: you may have to time some shots and after you've lined up your shot keep the mouse button down and release it when you're ready to putt.

OK, so Mini Golf has CGA graphic hand-me-downs. But the game is fun. In fact, the next IIGS mini-golfing sim Gnarly Golf, borrowed game play elements from Mini Golf, not to mention the sound of the ball landing in the hole. However, I actually think Mini Putt is more enjoyable than Gnarly Golf because holes can be larger than one screen that adds further depth to game play.