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ZXGolf brings the golf simulator experience to ZX Spectrum with classic charm and modern touches. Discover its quirks, gameplay, and why it stands out.
The ZX Spectrum’s Unlikely Golf Renaissance
There’s something magical about dusting off an old ZX Spectrum, firing it up, and stumbling onto an entirely new kind of game—especially when that game happens to be golf. ZXGolf turns the humble ZX Spectrum 128K into a surprisingly robust golf simulator, blending nostalgic pixel art with smart features that make it feel fresh, even if you’re not a golf aficionado.
An Ambitious Take on Retro Golf
Stepping up to the tee, I didn’t expect much—after all, the ZX Spectrum isn’t exactly known for sports sims that go beyond the basics. Yet ZXGolf quickly won me over with its ambition. Imagine playing a golf game from the ‘80s era, but with mechanics and presentation that would make even a modern indie developer pause and take notes.
What’s especially novel about ZXGolf is its creation. Rather than being coded entirely by hand, it leaned on the neural network Claude to spin up the bulk of its logic. The developer opted for Boriel BASIC over pure assembly language. I’ll admit, my first reaction was skepticism: could AI-generated code really deliver a playable experience on such vintage hardware? As it turns out, it mostly can—though not without some quirks.
Visuals and Presentation: Surprisingly Vivid
Retro golf games usually don’t turn heads with their visuals, but ZXGolf manages a little charm offensive. You get a choice of field colors—green, white, or yellow—which might sound minor, but it’s a breath of fresh air for a system often limited by palette constraints. The two main courses (Japan and USA) each offer 18 holes, and each hole has its own map, complete with fairways, thick rough, sand traps, water hazards, trees, and out-of-bounds zones.
It’s not just window dressing, either. When your ball finally reaches the green, the camera view shifts to a special putting mode—offering a tighter, more focused look to line up those critical shots. Honestly, it’s a detail I never expected on the ZX Spectrum, and it adds real depth.
Golf Mechanics: Classic Yet Clever
Here’s where ZXGolf really shines: it uses the tried-and-true “two-press” swing mechanic. Your first press sets the power, and your second press fine-tunes the accuracy. It’s a system that feels instantly familiar if you’ve played any old-school golf sim, but it’s executed here with satisfying nuance.
You have fourteen different clubs at your disposal, each with unique stats for distance and loft. Wind isn’t just a static number, either—it actively changes the ball’s flight depending on its strength and direction. The challenge ramps up with the addition of a special “Super Shot” for your opening drive. Nail the timing on the power meter and your ball soars roughly 10% further than a standard swing. I found myself addicted to chasing the perfect shot, even when I knew the odds were stacked against me.
AI and Multiplayer: More Than Just a Solo Sport
After a few holes, I began to notice something: the AI opponent in ZXGolf isn’t a pushover. Before every shot, it analyzes the hole, considers multiple possible trajectories, accounts for trees, bunkers, and hazards, then selects its club and direction accordingly. Sometimes it makes mistakes, but it never feels random or unfair. There’s a real sense of playing against a clever opponent—not just a mindless bot.
Not in the mood for solo play? You can grab a friend and take turns on the same computer. There’s a simple joy in the back-and-forth of local multiplayer, and it’s a reminder of how timeless couch competitions can be—even when the “couch” is just a creaky desk chair.
The Soundtrack Dilemma: A Small But Grating Flaw
Just when I thought ZXGolf might be close to perfect, one nagging detail came to the fore: the sound effect for the ball in flight. It’s… let’s just say “distinctive” in a way that rapidly grows old. There’s no option to turn it off, and after a few rounds, I found myself wincing every time I unleashed a long drive.
It’s clear others have noticed, too—the developer has already received feedback and promised to consider adding a music-only mode or tweaking that particular sound. As much as I appreciate all the polish elsewhere, this is one area that desperately needs a fix.
Two Countries, Two Versions
One odd quirk: the ZX Spectrum’s memory limitations mean you can’t fit both the USA and Japan courses into the same file. You’ll have to download two separate versions to experience everything. Is it a hassle? Slightly, but given the technical constraints, it’s understandable. It’s a small price to pay for such rich content on 8-bit hardware.
“Both countries’ courses wouldn’t fit in a single file, so you need to download two different versions. You can find them on itch.io.”
— Developer
Final Thoughts: ZXGolf’s Place in the Retro Pantheon
ZXGolf is a rare treat: a golf simulator for the ZX Spectrum that feels both retro and surprisingly modern. It’s not perfect—the ball sound effect is downright unpleasant, and splitting the game into two separate versions is a little clunky. At first, I doubted whether an AI-assisted game could capture the spirit of classic Spectrum titles, but ZXGolf’s charm and depth won me over after just a few rounds.
If you’re even slightly curious about computer golf, ZXGolf is worth a swing. You might just find yourself hooked by its blend of nostalgia, challenge, and clever design.
ЧАСТО ЗАДАВАЕМЫЕ ВОПРОСЫ
- Can I play both USA and Japan courses in ZXGolf?
No, due to memory limits, you need to download separate versions for each country’s course. - Does ZXGolf require the ZX Spectrum 128K model?
Yes, the game was designed for ZX Spectrum 128K, taking advantage of its increased memory. - Is there an option to disable the ball flight sound?
Currently, no—but the developer has acknowledged feedback and may add a fix in the future. - Can two players compete against each other?
Yes, ZXGolf supports two-player local play where each player takes turns at the controls. - How does the Super Shot mechanic work?
On your first drive, timing the power meter perfectly activates a Super Shot, increasing your distance by about 10%.
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