Mini Putt
- The Ultimate Challenge -
Copyright/Publisher: Accolade, Code, Design & Programming By: Martin Edwards & Lise Mendoza,
Graphics By: Grant Campbell, Ross O'Connor & Steve Goodman, Sound By: Paul Butler,
Tech.Help: Stuart Easterbrook, Release Year: 1987, Genre: Golf, Number Of Players: 1 to 4

INTRODUCTION
Mini-Putt: The wackiest miniature golf game in the world!

If you're looking for a lighthearted and relaxing miniature golf game for your computer, then you're holding the wrong box, duffer.

The wizards at Accolade have spared no expense in an effort to drive you crazy. Mini-Putt is the ultimate miniature gold challenge; a magical, animated "Golf-O-Rama" filled with pee-wee putting pandamonium that not only tests your skils ...it tests your sanity.

In Mini-Putt you can expect the unexpected. Each looney link was designed to have you ricocheting off the walls. Obstacles and hazards can spring to life. A serene green can gobble up your golf ball. Can your nerves take it or will your putter flutter? Remember, if your game is on, Mini-Putt can be "Fantasyland". If your game is off, Mini-Putt can be "No Man's Land". Accolade's Mini-Putt. Straitjacket not included.

"Ah, the ol' windmill trick, eh?" Well, you can bet your knickers that this windmill hole has a dew well-placed "surprises" that can iron the dimples out of your gold ball. Your gonna' need all the help you can get. So, Accolade gives you a sporting chance with a three-window overview of the hole, including a close up of "Mini-Putt Pete" - the hacker you embody as you romp around the course.

Mini-Putt's infamous "Killer Castle" is a hole that has been known to make many a pee-wee putter panic. You've got to putt through the castle walls, over a drawbridge, (could there be something lurking in the moist?) and on to a green that's about as smooth as the lunar surface. Whew! At least Accolade shows some compassion by providing gradation arrows to indicate the slope of the green.

A word of advice. Remove all breakables from arms' reach while playing Mini-Putt. It can make you golf goofy... especially when you 8 putt a par 1.

INSTRUCTIONS:
Course Selection Screen:
Move the joystick up and down to highlight your choice of "Practice a hole" or "Play a course". Press the fire button. Repeat the above procedure to choose a course and/or hole.

Pressing [F1] on these screens will return you to the previous screen.

Name Entry Screen:
Use return when you have finished entering your name. If fewer than four players are playing, press return again.

If you achive a "low" score for any course you will be asked to enter you name on the course pro board. Use the same procedure as above.

To Aim the Shot:
To begin, position the cursor to where you would like your first putt to go, by moving the joystick. You may make use of the overview map and playfield to aim your shot. It is sometimes necessary to place the cursor and the ball on different screens. Use the space bar to toggle between screens.

Power of the Shot:
While you are aiming your shot, the distance between your ball and the current cursor position will be displayed numerically next to your golfer. You may have to use greater power to actually get the ball to the hole since you will not always have a straight shot to the hole due to slopes or banked shorts, etc.

To Make the Shot:
When you are ready to shoot, hit the fire button. You will notice the level rise in the power bar. When the bar reaches the desired distance PRESS the fire button again. When you RELEASE the fire button, the bar starts to move back down. The mark where you stopped the bar moving indicates the power with which you hit the ball.

When the bar reches the bottom of the power bar, it moves horizontally on to the accuracy bar. In the middle of the accuracy bar is a center line. To make the ball move exactly toward the cursor position you selected while aiming, you must press the fire button at the exact time the indicator reaches this line.

If you press the fire button before this time (left of the center line), the ball will move to the left of where you aimed. If you press the fire button late (right of the center line), the ball will move to the right of where you aimed. When you RELEASE the fire button the ball will begin to move.

The Scoreboard:
Your score for the current hole iis shown on the play screen. If you wish to see the score for the entire course and all players, just press [F3].

HOT TIPS!:

Timing Shorts:
When you are trying to putt through a moving object (windmills for example), the fact that the ball doesn't move until you RELEASE THE FIRE BUTTON on the accuracy bar, can be used to aid your timing.

Par and Strategy:
In most cases, the player will have several options for making shots. The easy route to the hole will require more strokes than the trickier multiple bounce shots, but will of course be safer. To make par on some hole it may be necessary to take the more difficult shots.

The Terrain:

Smooth:
Terrain which is smooth constitutes the main playing field. It is flat and solid in colour, usually being light green.

Slopes:
Slopes and breakes are indicated by arrows that point in the direction they will influence the ball to go. Dark arrows on a light green background, break slightly faster.
up (arrow points up)
left (arrow points left)
right (arrow points right)

Walls:
Walls and diagonals cause the ball to rebound in a manner dependent on the speed and direction of the approaching ball.

Water:
Water pools and traps may not be surrounded by walls. A ball in the water is played from where it entered the water. A one stroke penalty will be added to the players score.

Bridges:
Bridges may be flat or sloped in any direction. Some bridges may be covered while others may be open. Some bridges may involve timing elements, such as draw bridges, while others may require more power in the shot, such as the loop bridge. Some are bordered by walls and others have no safety rails to prevent the ball from falling into the water.

The Function Keys
[F1] previous screen
[F3] displays the score screen
[F5] toggles the sound on and off
[F7] pauses/resumes the game

Mini Putt is a trademark of Accolade Inc.
Manual (c) 1987 by Accolade.
Software (c) 1987 by Accolade.
Licensed from&designed by Artech Digital Entertainments Inc.
Published in Europe by Electronic Arts Ltd.
Package (c) 1987 by Electronic Arts Ltd.
Designed by Grapplegroup Ltd.