This One is a Strike

Author's Rating:

Pros: Excellent Physics, So many options

Cons: I don't really care for the 50's theme, but that doesn't really matter

Author's Review
First off I must warn you about not to buy the game that is displayed with this review. The picture that is being displayed as of when I wrote this review (4/17/00) is of the game "Animaniacs Ten Pen Alley", an entirely different game. That is important to note because of the wide difference between how often these games are recommended (the original "Ten Pen Alley" is recommended about 90% of the time, while the sequel "Animaniacs Ten Pen Alley" is recommended about 33% of the time). I'm hoping that Epinions.com will promptly correct this error before it causes anyone to spend good money on the wrong game.

One thing that makes this game so good is the fact that it can be easily enjoyed by people who know very little about bowling or video games, and also those who are avid about bowling or video games. I have had friends of mine, that know very little about video games or bowling comment that this is the best game I have (my game library does have many blockbuster games for my friends to compare this game to) A major reason for this is that the game will try to keep you entertained even if you are doing miserably, by having your bowler go flying down the lane or throw the ball straight up into the air and have it land on his head among other things. The game will simply make you laugh if you're doing miserably (if you don't care how you're doing). I would assume that people that are not into video games or bowling would eventually tire of watching their bowler hurt him/or herself over and over and try to take advantage of the incredible physics engine or just lose interest altogether.

The game itself is rather easy to get a handle on, it will probably take you one game of bowling before you start to understand how to bowl. It will take you a little bit longer before you are ready to take on the big boys in tournament mode though (so don't get cocky just yet). The games' control setup is much like most golf games on the market. You first line up where you want to throw the ball on the alley, then line up where you want your bowler to stand so that you create the angle of approach you want on the ball (it will take you awhile for you to understand how each position effects the throw). Then comes the timing screen, there are three meters on the screen, first you adjust the hook meter by pressing left or right(they give you a little time to set this before they start to make their approach, but not much), after you've done that the bowler will begin their approach. You will have to pay attention to the top meter first (power meter) press the button at were you want it, and after that meter is set the bottom one (release meter) will automatically start to go, make sure you try to press the button in the yellow spot so that you don't end up heaving the ball halfway down the lane out of control.

Once you've gotten past that small obstacle of figuring out how to control the ball you will finally get to see the part in this game that really shines, the physics. Every lane has a slightly different oil pattern that you must try to contend with and compensate for changes in the lanes. The lanes do seem to change pretty drastically, probably to increase replay value and challenge. The pin action that happens when the ball hit's the pins is very impressive, it mimics real life so accurately. You may some time say "I got screwed!!", but guess what, you probably would have gotten the exact same results in real life. I'm not saying that the physics are perfect, I have figured out how to consistently pick up a 7-10 split, even though it is nearly technically impossible.

The game has more going for it than just great physics and personality, it is also well complimented by it's graphics. The graphics aren't anything great to behold but they do capture atmosphere very well.

The sound also does this game justice. The game is set in the 50's (for some reason, I don't know why) and it sounds like you're listening to an old jukebox full of ripped off old rock and lounge music (I swear one song sounds just like 'Love Potion No. 9'). The sound effects are even better, including one of my favorite parts of the game, the secret ability to taunt you're opponents while they bowl("choke loser!"). Don't worry when you hear the main screen come up, it's just the sound of the in game billboard sparking on and off (I've had friends thinking their house was going to catch fire and have looked all over for where that darn sound was coming from).

On top of all of that there are plenty of options for you to tinker with. First of all, this game can handle up to six players (you don't even need six controllers, you can all rotate the same controller if need be). There are also three different lanes to bowl in, two for normal bowling, and the third is for midnight bowling. There is also the option of playing "Ten Pin" (the normal way) or "No Tap" (meaning that if you knock down 9 pins in the first throw it will also be considered a strike). To finish it off you can also choose what kind of game you want to play, Practice, Team Play, or Tournament, and the tournament is selectable wether you want to play at amateur level or pro level. This game is also very friendly to your memory cards, you can save eight different bowlers and four tournaments in one block. Which leads me to customizing your bowler, you can from twelve premade people and change their clothes, their ball material, ball weight, clothing color, and difficulty level.

I suppose that some people that that just don't like bowling may not like this game, because at the heart of the issue this is an excellent bowling game. It is not a game that is using the thin veil of being a bowling game just to get you hooked on some aspect of the game. It's not, this game is a bowling game through and through. So if you are looking for a game that is different, and play's great, this may just be your game.