Favorite Video Bowling Games? [Archive]

digitalpress

01-09-2005, 05:19 PM

Well I just got a tip from resident bowling fanatic ScooterB to take a miss on the AMF Bowling title on Xbox. So far, the only really good next gen bowling game I've played is Strike Force on PS2. Though this isn't a major loss for me, I used to enjoy some of the earlier 8-bit bowling titles.

What were your favorites?

Chunky

01-09-2005, 05:22 PM

AMF bowling is ok, but really boring. It goes more about technical bowling and is very slow on game play.

NEO-GEO's League Bowling is hand down the best game i ever played

other worth mentioning are Genesis, Championship bowling(snes)
and i like Ten pin Alley for ps1. still looking for the animanaics bowling ps1 game

kainemaxwell

01-09-2005, 05:22 PM

I always liked Atari's Bowling, considering I haven't played PBA for DC yet. If Elf Bowling counts, then I like that alot too.

GobopopRevisited

01-09-2005, 05:25 PM

League Bowling, haven't played any other Virtual Bowling anyways.

Gamereviewgod

01-09-2005, 05:27 PM

Nester's Funky Bowling: VB

League Bowling: Geo

Super Bowling: SNES

scooterb23

01-09-2005, 05:30 PM

Strike Force is my favorite current gen bowling game as well. :)

I'm somewhat disappointed that Ten Pin Alley 2 for the PS2 seems to have slipped into oblivion (supposed to be released Oct. 4, 04...I'm still waiting) , I was looking forward to it, although in the hands of XS Games...I don't know. I know they made a wretched GBA version...

Other bowling games I've really enjoyed:

Super Monkey Bowling (in SMB 1 & 2)
Ten Pin Alley (PS)
Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling 2 (PS) - #1 is goos as well, but the pin physics are better in #2 [/ bowling nerd]
PBA Bowling (Intellivision)
10th Frame (C-64)
Bowling in Clubhouse Sports (C64)

Those are some of my favorites :) And yes, avoid XBox AMF Bowling.

Videogamerdaryll

01-09-2005, 05:54 PM

NEO-GEO's League Bowling is hand down the best Bowling game i ever played

Ditto......................

classicb

01-09-2005, 06:21 PM

Super Bowling (SNES) its fun but way too easy. the first day I picked it up I was bowling perfect games every time. fun game to look at and play but very simple and easy.

The only bowling games I've really enjoyed are the arcade ones with the tack ball.

petewhitley

01-09-2005, 06:34 PM

Tekken Bowl, the extra game on the PS2 Tekken Tag, is surprisingly kick-ass.

Ernster

01-09-2005, 06:49 PM

There was a Mike's Astro Lanes on N64, anyone know if its any good?

Kroogah

01-09-2005, 06:53 PM

Capcom Bowling - Arcade
League Bowling - Neo Geo
Championship Bowling - Genesis

The Holy Triumvirate.

Flack

01-09-2005, 06:56 PM

Bedrock Bowling.

(Ducks.)

TurboGenesis

01-09-2005, 06:57 PM

My favorite bowling games would have to be League Bowling on the AES. Me and my frined would play this game for hours years ago when we rented the Neo Geo.

Another good bowling game...Tekken Bowling in Tekken Tag. I played that more than the actual game.

boatofcar

01-09-2005, 07:00 PM

I'd love to own an arcade trackball bowling game. Because of the abuse I'm sure the ball takes, I wonder if they're any harder to maintain than a regular arcade game.

I really like the bowling games on both Super Monkey Ball titles, plus they're both astoundingly beautiful.

I bet a Mario bowling game would be cool....

Steven

01-09-2005, 07:00 PM

TEN PIN ALLEY!!! PS1.

I tried liking the Saturn version but the gameplay was changed up and the graphics took a significant hit. However, there were a lot of easter eggs thrown in the Saturn version only, and the guy who programmed the game talked proudly about the SAT version on an online interview site I forgot the address of. You can probably find it via GOOGLE.

Who knows? That programmer may even post/lurk the DP grounds!

vulcanjedi

01-09-2005, 07:39 PM

There was a Mike's Astro Lanes on N64, anyone know if its any good?

It's Milo's astro lanes.
Milo is great!

It's like flintstones meet the jetsons and go bowling. The mode where you get to screw with the person bowling is so much fun. You can collect powerups on your turn that you can use while another player is up. It's one of those have a few beers and play your friends games that I would really recommend for the N64.

VJ
VJ

Vectorman0

01-09-2005, 07:53 PM

Strike Force is my favorite current gen bowling game as well. :)
Super Monkey Bowling (in SMB 1 & 2)

I'll have to second that. Even though it isn't a full game, it's a fun minigame which doesn't bore you to death.

spoon

01-09-2005, 08:08 PM

My all time favorite is Champioship Bowling for the NES. Always a fun one and I love the animation in the game. Great multiplayer bowling game. Second I would have to go with bowling for the 2600. Ten pin for Satrun would be thirsd. I like to think of it as a sequel to the NES game. They are in no way related, but, both are so much fun.

I really, really want to play Strike Force. Scoot keeps telling me how cool it is.

When oh when will an online bowling game come out so I can show Scooter and Chunk my mad skills?

-hellvin-

01-09-2005, 08:30 PM

Neo Geo League Bowling.

It's all about the beer frame.

ECWSandmanECW

01-09-2005, 08:44 PM

League Bowling (Neo-Geo)
Championship Bowling (Genesis)

Aussie2B

01-09-2005, 09:16 PM

League Bowling is by far the best bowling game in existence. :)

IntvGene

01-09-2005, 09:35 PM

I really wish that they made a Big Lebowski bowling game. I'd buy it in a second!

"Walter Sobchak: This is not Nam. This is bowling. There are rules."

That aside, I still like good ol' PBA Bowling on the Intelly. It was way ahead of its time.. except maybe graphically.

SuperGunGuru

01-09-2005, 10:00 PM

I gotta go with Capcom Bowling. I wouldn't mind having one of those someday, especially in the rare, dedicated cabinet. :D

le geek

01-09-2005, 10:18 PM

I dig Ten Pin Alley for PSOne. I tried out the Saturn version and while it has extra modes, the graphics were a little too "chunky".

Cheers,
Ben

Dangerboy

01-09-2005, 10:32 PM

Intellivision Bowling
- Hands down the greatest classic bowling game, EVER. PERIOD. One of the few, if only bowling games that includes you actually having to wait for the re-rack, ball return, and actually pick up your ball.

PlayStation Brunswick Pro Bowling :lovin:
- The finest 'realistic bowling' game ever created. I prefer the original to the sequel because Brunswick II's throw set-up screen is fubar'ed. Created by the same guys who did Ten Pin Alley, and home to the most incredible pin physics.

I miss you Adreniline, I miss you much.

League Bowling :D
The best 'arcade bowling' game, with the old Simpsons one coming in a close second. League Bowling is one of those games that never got old, and makes a great party game.

And Joe, I spent the $20 on AMF bowling. It's the first time in the history of my 25+ year gaming life I thought about seeing how far a new DVD will bend before it snaps in half. The worst bowling game ever. Ever. :bawling:

Sosage

01-10-2005, 01:29 AM

I'm no Bowling genre expert, but I'll also recommend League Bowling. I love the goofy animations and the overall atmosphere of the game. The bowling is pretty solid, but I did have an occasional collision issue with knocked down pins flying through standing pins (not landing a strike because of that can make the game feel cheap sometimes...while I could swear that every other bowling game seems to have a similar collision problem, the issue would occur to me a lot more than usual in League Bowling).

Tekken Bowl is another bowling game I've found myself spending loads of time on. The characters' different throw/strength properties add a very cool strategic element to the game. It forces you to arrange a team according to who you think can land the strikes and who you can control for picking up spares. I'll be the first to admit I sometimes stuck Tekken Tag Tournament into my PS2 just to bowl a couple of rounds. =P

My memory is really fuzzy when I think about Ten Pin Alley (I played the demo version off of one of the PS1 sample discs), but what I do remember is walking away with a positive experience (this thread is making me think about finding a copy now ;P).

Iron Draggon

01-10-2005, 04:20 AM

Brunswick World Tournament of Champions (SNES)

It's the only bowling game I own, but I think that it's a very good one. It has all my favorite pro bowlers from the era that it was produced, and the graphics are realistic enough for me. I wish that it had been made for the Genesis though, so I could take it along with me to play it on my Nomad!

DigitalSpace

01-10-2005, 06:02 AM

The only bowling games I own are Brunswick World Tournament Of Champions (SNES), which is decent, and Strike Force Bowling (PS2), which is pretty good and my favorite of the two. I'd like to check out Brunswick Pro Bowling and Ten Pin Alley for the PSX someday.

furor

01-10-2005, 11:03 AM

scooterb23

01-10-2005, 12:42 PM

@ Iron Draggon - Don't know if you have it, but Championshp Bowling for the Genesis is pretty good. A lot like Super Bowling for the SNES (which is like League Bowling on the Neo Geo somewhat). I think it would work well on the Nomad...it tends to be a bit spendy though in the shops...

For Brunswick Pro Bowling on the Playsation, I highly recommend you watch the little profile videos of each bowler. They really lay on the cockiness thick, to the point where you'll be pissed at them before you ever start bowling. High quality comedy there :)

I thought Brunswick on SNES was ok, although I found the 300 mark way too easily.

This thread reminds me that I still want to pick up a Xavix system...

And it sounds like I need Tekken Tag Tournament...

Captain Wrong

01-10-2005, 01:06 PM

As has been mentioned, League Bowling and Capcom Bowling are tits for arcade style games. I gotta try some of the newer, more realistic games though.

Arcade Antics

01-10-2005, 01:16 PM

I've played lotsa bowling games, and while there are many decent ones that I can no longer keep straight, my favorite has always been...

Capcom Bowling. :)

Played this one all the time at a sleazy arcade, and a sleazy bowling alley... Even bowled back-to-back 300 games on it! :) But anyhoo, it's exactly my type of game: it's idiot-proof, easy to learn, it's got those silly animated bits, and its "drop in yer quarter and GO!" style of play suits my instant gratification style of play.

I also really dig the Tekken Tag bowling game. It's groovy.

furor

01-10-2005, 05:00 PM

I think everyone here needs to get out to the bars and play a little Silver Strike Bowling.....Best bowling ever!!!! Hopefully, you can find a high-res dedicated unit. The low-res kits don't look so hot.

For all of you guys who are saying capcom bowling is one of your favorites...go play silver strike bowling, it's made by the same developers. You won't be disappointed.

kainemaxwell

01-10-2005, 05:16 PM

Anyone here play the DC PBA Bowling game, if you happen to have a copy (unreleased)?

Iron Draggon

01-10-2005, 08:42 PM

WHOOPS, I forgot that I bought Nester's Funky Bowling for the Virtual Boy fairly recently! So I actually own TWO bowling games. Still no Championship Bowling for the Genesis yet though. I always avoided it because it looked too cartoony, but now I wish that I had bought it, because it does tend to be pretty pricey for a mint complete copy. And of course that's what I'd have to have, if I ever bought a copy. So for now, it's still just on my wishlist.

Gapporin

01-10-2005, 09:32 PM

WHOOPS, I forgot that I bought Nester's Funky Bowling for the Virtual Boy fairly recently! So I actually own TWO bowling games.

How does Nester's Funky Bowling play, anyways? I've been wanting to pick it up for some time now, because I do love me some video bowling. Is it any good?

scooterb23

01-11-2005, 07:45 PM

I haven't played my copy in a little while, but in my fuzzy memory, it plays a good bit like League Bowling / Super Bowling / Championship Bowling etc... decent game.

I really want the Virtua Bowling game for the VB released in Japan, but I'm not paying $500-1000 for any bowling game!!

GLASSJOE

01-11-2005, 08:38 PM

Atari 2600 bowling

Gapporin

01-11-2005, 11:24 PM

I haven't played my copy in a little while, but in my fuzzy memory, it plays a good bit like League Bowling / Super Bowling / Championship Bowling etc... decent game.

Awesome. I'll be sure to keep an eye on it now.

allsport11

01-12-2005, 05:39 PM

Anyone here play the DC PBA Bowling game, if you happen to have a copy (unreleased)?

AMF Bowling on the Xbox is a straight port of the unreleased Dreamcast game PBA Bowling 2001. I have both, and I regret playing them every day.

Jibbajaba

01-17-2005, 11:43 PM

Maybe I'm a simpleton, maybe I;m just a VCS junkie, but I think that Bowling for the VCS is awsome. I should also mention that the only other bowling game I even own is Championship bowling for the NES. It's OK.

Chris

DigitalSpace

01-18-2005, 12:18 AM

Maybe I'm a simpleton, maybe I;m just a VCS junkie, but I think that Bowling for the VCS is awsome.

Come to think of it, isn't that on Atari Anthology? I should give it a try one of these days.

RetroGaming2004

01-18-2005, 12:27 AM

Capcom bowling or coors bowling I think, maybe it was the name of a drink and bowling but the game was awesome, even gives league bowling a run for the money!

Iron Draggon

01-18-2005, 02:06 AM

How does Nester's Funky Bowling play, anyways? I've been wanting to pick it up for some time now, because I do love me some video bowling. Is it any good?

It plays great, but it's not very easy. It's pretty funny though. Whenever you throw a gutter ball or fail to pick up a spare, Nester (or Hester, if you're playing as her) will roll his/her eyes and make a really perturbed look. And if you throw a strike or pick up a spare, then they'll react with tremendous enthusiasm. So it has alot of character animations to keep it entertaining.

I'd like to know what that import Athena bowling game is like myself, but I'm not paying $1000 for it either. If I ever pay pig bucks for any VB import, it's gonna be Space Invaders. But I don't have about $500 to throw at that yet. I'm definitely gonna buy it someday though. I just don't know when.

Iron Draggon

01-18-2005, 02:07 AM

LOL I meant BIG bucks, not PIG bucks! LOL

DaveD

01-22-2005, 12:34 PM

I'll add my two cents worth for 10 Pin Alley (PS1). It's actually more fun when you do poorly to see all the goofy stuff that happens. However, there's one character (a guy, I don't remember which character right now --- it's been a while, but it's not the heavy one) that, when you get 3 consecutive strikes (turkey), actually lets a fart fly. We couldn't believe it until we finally managed to get him to do it again. (Not easy). The difficulty seems good in this game too; many bowling games are just too easy. I have a Neo as well and own League Bowling, but it's been so long since I have dusted it off and played it --- I recall that being alot of fun as well. I'll also agree that the Xbox AMF is quite lame; however I got one of the characters in edit mode to look quite alot like me, and that was depressing! :roll:

Tron 2.0

02-12-2005, 05:27 AM

:D
http://www.neo-geo.com/reviews/neo-reviews/lbowling/lbowl1.gif

MetroidFan1164

08-07-2005, 06:38 AM

Strike Force Bowling (PS2). Fun time killer and easy to pick up and play. Worth the 10 bucks I spent.

Mianrtcv

09-10-2005, 11:41 PM

I have to go with Intellivision Bowling. Me and my dad used to play it (we also played golf). It was actually a fun game. Also my dad was not a video game person. So for him to get into it, it had to offer entertainment.