Random Game O' the Day: Nester's Funky Bowling

[digitalpress]

The DP Random Game and Line Generator (tm) has chosen the very red and black Nester's Funky Bowling. This is the first Virtual Boy game chosen in the engine's short but storied history.

Despite the Virtual Boy's reputation, there WERE some good games for it, and this is considered to be one of them by some fans, myself included. It's not the best bowling simulation but the 3D effects add just enough to make it memorable.

Ever play it? What are your thoughts on the game? Write your own mini-review here.

DP Guide sez:

Nester's Funky Bowling (Virtual Boy, by Nintendo) $30/R6
Not the same as the Japanese title Virtual Bowling. Released 02/96. #VUE-VNFE-USA.

[ManekiNeko]

Good luck finding anyone who's played that thing.
By the way, why is Nester wearing a dress in those pictures?

JR

[Gamereviewgod]

Terrible physics, but what a blast....shame there wasn't more to do though...tournaments and such. Actually alot like League Bowling play wise.

[chadtower]

I haven't played it yet but I'm actively seeking a copy right now. It's one of the 3 games I need to finish my US VB collection.

[Kid Fenris]

By the way, why is Nester wearing a dress in those pictures?

JR

That's Hester, Nester's sister. Some speculate that Hester was actually Nester in drag. Nintendo Power dropped him for a reason, after all.

Nester's Funky Bowling is decent, but it's too bad that, as far as I know, it marks Nester's only appearance in a video game. Back in 1991, Nintendo Power ran a mock-up magazine cover featuring "Nester's Adventures," causing me to hope that Nester might soon appear in his own NES title.

It's a shame that nothing came of it. Who wouldn't want an action/platformer starring Nester and his nemesis, Howard Phillips? It could've been like J.J. and Jeff, only with solid Nintendo programming.

[kainemaxwell]

Hoping to win this on eBay this week actually.

[chadtower]

So am I. Stay away!

[scooterb23]

Fun game! It is definitely reminiscent of League Bowling (Neo Geo) / Championship Bowling (Genesis) / Super Bowling (SNES) of about the same era.

Now, if I could just get my hands on Virtual Bowling for the Japanese VB...

[Chunky]

Great game, that is when i had a VB. I'm one of those types of people that get every bowling game there is. err ditto that with pinball games. Anyone else do this?

[Ed Oscuro]

Good luck finding anyone who's played that thing.
By the way, why is Nester wearing a dress in those pictures?

JR

Heh, his hair's in a ponytail too. o_O maybe the programmers didn't know Nester was a "he" ?

Anyhow...is this the only game out there starring Nester?

[digitalpress]

Heh, his hair's in a ponytail too. o_O maybe the programmers didn't know Nester was a "he" ?

Anyhow...is this the only game out there starring Nester?

Check out Kid Fenris' response above for answers to these questions and more!

[scooterb23]

Great game, that is when i had a VB. I'm one of those types of people that get every bowling game there is. err ditto that with pinball games. Anyone else do this?

I am trying to get every bowling game as well. I remember a long time ago, we had a fairly comprehensive list going...

The only true bowling games I know I'm missing right now are for systems I'm not collecting yet (NeoGeo, Bally Astrocade (I think that's the right one...). I am missing a few pseudo-bowling games (Flinstones PS1 game)...

[Ed Oscuro]

Heh, his hair's in a ponytail too. o_O maybe the programmers didn't know Nester was a "he" ?

Anyhow...is this the only game out there starring Nester?

Check out Kid Fenris' response above for answers to these questions and more!

I'm full of good stuff today. Your reply sounded like an advert, too. Just use the [cheesyadvert] tags ;D

But yeah, I was busy and didn't take the time to read the whole thread. ANYHOW, wow, Nester's sister, that's got me interested. Oh yeah. :P

[Videogamerdaryll]

Fun game! It is definitely reminiscent of League Bowling (Neo Geo) / Championship Bowling (Genesis) / Super Bowling (SNES) of about the same era.

Now, if I could just get my hands on Virtual Bowling for the Japanese VB...

I agree with you on this..I play League Bowling (Neo Geo) in the Cab all the time..I shot a 300 twice in this game..
League Bowling is one of my favorire games of all time..
I'm going to be hooking up a link-up between AES to AES for 4 Player League Bowling..

Nester's Funky Bowling reminds me of the games you've mentioned,especially League Bowling..

I bid on Nester's Funky Bowling so many times and was outbid to ridiculous amounts..
Damn..I bid on it so many times and was outbid/sniped,that I got tired of trying to win it..

Then I won a copy with 4 other VB games for $20.00 on Ebay..

Nester's Funky Bowling
Red Alarm
Mario Tennis
Wario Land
Galactic Pinball

The seller took a picture of 5 similar VB games that looked like they had stuff on the labels..So I think that's why I got the lot so cheap....I Was in shock when I won that lot so cheap.,shoot another auction I was bidding on at the same time for a bare copy of Nester's Funky Bowling was already up to $20.00....

I get the games and they are in perfect condition.
They have nothing on the labels..I have no clue what carts the seller took pictures of..I got lucky..
This was a great deal...I've always wanted Nester's Funky Bowling...
I played it several times,though I can't get the hang of it..

I leave it it in the Display unit and play it often though...


I Bowl..and I try to own every Bowling game I can find.

I too would like to get my hands on a Virtual Bowling for the Japanese VB..

EDIT>>
Is there anywhere I could see the screen pics of Virtual Bowling for the Japanese VB like in digitalpress's post...?

[Jorpho]

Nester was also featured in Pilotwings 64, but he was named something else. Some kind of bird... What was it?

[DogP]

I really like this game... It's a lot of fun, although it's pretty easy IMO. I have to say though... it has the MOST DISAPPOINTING ENDING EVER! After spending so much time to get a 300 game in it (after 3 299 games ARGH!!!!)... all it says is PERFECT! Then goes to the normal game over screen. And it does nothing for getting a 300 in the challenge mode .

I'd actually have to say that Virtual Bowling is a better game... it's pretty easy too, but it just seems like a better made game, and it actually has a better ending (although it has lots of engrish - like Congraturations, and You Are King of Bowler ).

DogP

[Videogamerdaryll]

I really like this game... It's a lot of fun, although it's pretty easy IMO. I have to say though... it has the MOST DISAPPOINTING ENDING EVER! After spending so much time to get a 300 game in it (after 3 299 games ARGH!!!!)... all it says is PERFECT! Then goes to the normal game over screen. And it does nothing for getting a 300 in the challenge mode .

I'd actually have to say that Virtual Bowling is a better game... it's pretty easy too, but it just seems like a better made game, and it actually has a better ending (although it has lots of engrish - like Congraturations, and You Are King of Bowler ).

DogP

(although it has lots of engrish - like Congraturations, and You Are King of Bowler ).


That's Funny..