I have really been trying to find a good bowling video game-specifically for my PC/Windows version.

The only realistic game I have come across is Brunswick Curcuit Pro Bowling, but it is from 1998. Honestly, the game play and pin action are quite good compared to others I have seen, but hasn't there been anything that looks and plays more realistically come out in the past few years?

I haven't played any of these but here are a few I was able to find:

PC Games:
Super Elf Bowling Collection
Fast Lanes Bowling
Friday Night 3D Bowling

XBox:
AMF Bowling 2004
Strike Force Bowling

Sony Playstation 2:
Strike Force Bowling

Nintendo Gamecube:
Strike Force Bowling

Nintendo Gameboy Advanced:
GBA Dodge Ball/Bowling/Paintball
GBA Elf Bowling 1 and 2

Nintendo DS:
NDS Elf Bowling 1 and 2

Wow...that was super fast service from the staff...thanks!

Unfortunately it looks like some of the newer ones like the AMF 2004 aren't for PC I have looked up the Fast Lanes Bowling for PC, and it is exactly the same as the Strike Force bowling when I had my Playstation 2 system. It was fun, but the one I have is still more realistic than it was.

But I surely do appreciate the list and plan to look a few more up even if they are on systems I don't have.

Sorry just joined today, I have a pc bowling game called Concrete Bowling v3.02 and it is a ball You can find it at http://www.errezed.com

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">Originally posted by jd234:
Sorry just joined today, I have a pc bowling game called Concrete Bowling v3.02 and it is a ball You can find it at http://www.errezed.com </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">Just downloaded the demo.....
This game is good right down to the pocket 10 grrrrrr. But addictive none the less. Oh and forget about easily predicatable oyu have infinite #'s of ways to mess a shot up. I agree definately recomend, I am gonna have to delay purchasing though, it's addictive and I don't need to spend anymore time than I do now behind this screen. Good recomendation!

addictive, nah, I usually remember to check my e-mail before I try to get sleep

Howdy!

We just picked-up "Strike Force Bowling" for the PS2. It is a lot of fun, and actually allows you to 'read' the lane conditions to score! You can select ball and weight block types, and skill levels, as well! It got my daughter interested enough that she made me take her bowling!

Rent it at BlockBuster or NetFlix to try it out....it is fun! (And addictive!)

Chaaaz - is back in the house!

PS: Hi Angel! Hi Lisa! Hi Jacquie!
((((( Hugs )))))

Stay away from AMF Bowling. Its horrible. Very hard to control the ball. Pin action is basically not there. Very hard to strike.

When I play a video game, I want to play BETTER than I do in real life

Strike Force is a good game. Agree with Chaaaz above.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">Originally posted by jd234:
Sorry just joined today, I have a pc bowling game called Concrete Bowling v3.02 and it is a ball You can find it at http://www.errezed.com </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">i would download it but i have 36 kbps internet if im lucky it is SOOOO SLOWWW the game sounds like fun though, maybe ill let it download for 3+ hours

Logan

Hi Pin Bomber:

Have you tried Ten Pin Championship Bowling. It's a PC game. It's great! I love it!
You can try it free. Go to Yahoo to find it.
If you can't find it, let me know, I find it for you.

Ms Ruth

The best bowling video game I've played is the Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling games on Playstation. They are kinda old though. I think the second one came out around 1999 or so. I've also got Animaniacs Ten Pin Alley which is a blast to play with the kids. It's actually got pretty good pin physics too. I've also played AMF Bowling on the XBox and it is pretty ******. You have to be very precise to get anything done on there. I also have one called Alley 19 Bowling on the PC. It's really not that great either. It's about 10 years old though.

Thank you very much for having talked about our game in this great forum.
Every suggestion is welkomed! ;-)

Errezed staff

Concrete Bowling 3.0 is definitly the closest you'll get to real physics. In fact, the last version he put out fixed alot of issues with pin physics.

Plus, if you're into modding, you can go into the program folder and skin alot of the bowling alley graphics, plus your ball. I had a perfect replica of a Nitro-R (purple) with a thumb slug and finger grips, but I'm decent with Photoshop. However, I don't know if it's legal, so Patty can scold me if necessary

I just wish the interface was a little better, and it had a league option.

Best bowling game by far anyway.

I haven't seen a bowling game as of yet. I think they need to make more!

Oh wait, they need a game for Xbox or Xbox 360!!!

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">Originally posted by Coach K:
Oh wait, they need a game for Xbox or Xbox 360!!! </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">They have a couple for the Xbox and AMF Extreme bowling 2006 is supposed to be coming out in June sometime. Unfortunately I sold my Xbox to get an Xbox 360 and none of the bowling games are backwards compatible

I am dying for a bowling game on the 360 even if it's just a Xbox live Arcade game.

Unfortunately we are in the minority of people who want bowling games. They typically don't sell very well so people like us have a hard time getting a good game made.

AMF Extreme bowling is ok... Very hard for me to always hit that meter in the center so the ball doesnt shoot off mark. Anyone else play it? My version is for the PS2.

There a new one out saint and Sinners bowling. It more of fun game http://www.shockwave.com/gamelanding/saintsandsinnersbowling.jsp
then realistic games.

The best all-time bowling game is/was Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling 2 for the Playstation 1 (Can be played on a Playstation 2, you just need a PS1 memory card if you plan to save your games.)Of course the graphics aren't the greatest, but the game play physics are the best I ever saw for a console bowling game. If you can find one used, don't pass up the chance.

ThunderStrike

I really wish someone would come up with a good, realistic bowling game that has a decent career mode. Every bowling game I've played is just focused on quick action sillyness.. dozens of wackey alleys.. whatever... and the good simulators have very little replayability and depth.

What I'd like to see is a bowling game that uses accurate physics, down to the ball characteristics, lane type, and oil conditions. Your bowler starts out as a house bowler with maybe a hundred bucks to buy a ball and plays in a typical house league/high scoring conditions. As you win, you gain money and popularity and can play in state and regional tournaments. If you do good enough in them you get to join tougher leagues, sports leagues, etc. Eventually if you keep doing well you join the PBA where conditions are brutal but you play against real PBA players (who are modeled after their likeness both in form and how they throw the ball) and have a chance for winning gigantic pots and having TV appearances.

I don't want just a game to throw a ball at pins and keep my score, no matter how accurate a simulator it is. Every other sport has good career modes, why can't bowling?

I play the AMF game on my phone if I'm just passing time, like in a waiting room. My fiance has an account on Pogo.com and sometimes I play the bowling game there. It's a challenge just to get to 150 for me. Kind of like real life.

--Rich

I suck bad on that bowling game on Pogo. I'm lucky to get 120-130. Much lower than my 199 average that I've got right now.

Dear guys and girls,
I would like to tell you that we have just released a new pc bowling game:"Global Bowling".
We developed it basing on the most advanced Concrete Bowling physics engine,adding and changing many features
as for instance the possibility to play on line.
Thank you again for your appreciation and waiting for your comments, regards

Patrizia Bruni
Errezed.com Staff

there is a lot of cool flash games out there, im sure you can find em. I remember playing some cool bowling flash games before. And free too, except I cant remember where I seen them.

There is a new game on the PS3 made by the Sony Entertainment Company and I must admit. This is the most realistic bowling simulation. The game is called High Velocity Bowling.

I am sure many will be impressed with the physics and nintendo wii style that Sony had brought to this game.

Interesting to note that oil pattern is displayed on the lane and different balls can be use plus you can do trick shot. Especially the flyin' eagle in the last skills competition challenge.

Anyways. Its only 10 dollars do to download from the Sony Store which you must purchase online thru the PS3 and not thru the website.

If you have a PS3 console. I would recommend this game.

It is a good game...I am enjoying the HVB on PS3. It helps me practice my mechanics requiring me to take a backswing and smooth forward swing.

I really enjoyed playing the Elf Bowling game. It's not realistic at all but very fun to play. All the little "upgrades" that you can get are pretty cool and the game is pretty challenging.

Brunswick Pro Bowling for the PS2 and Wii are pretty good. I have both versions, and I've played the PS2 version much more. They don't have enough to make them really stand out, though. You create a character, join a league, throw a house ball, and try to earn enough to buy a new ball. As you improve, your attributes improve as well. You need to bowl 6 matches (3 games each) before bowling a tournament. You need to win 5 1-game matches to win the tournament. Most, if not all, of your opponents in your league matches are pathetic. As you move up from the beginner's league to intermediate and advanced, your opponents don't really get much better. I'm currently in an advanced league (I think there's one more after this one), averaging 271 after about 27 games, and I'm still bowling people who can't hit the pocket. They normally shoot about 180-200 against me, but the averages of the bowlers in the top 8-10 are all about 230-250. No one ever shoots that well when I bowl them, though.
Here's what it doesn't do for you-
You can't take your "career" bowler and use him in the quick play part.
The computer doesn't tell you your 3 game series, even though you just bowled a 3 game match.
You can't bring the score sheet up on screen, and you can't normally see further back than 1 or 2 frames.
You can't just jump to a tournament. You can forfeit league matches to get to the next tournament, but the idea is to win the leagues as well, so you have to bowl 18 games between each tournament.
The key to really high scores- move your foul line target to 18 (on either side of the headpin), don't touch your arrow target, and throw the ball dead straight at the pocket. Fine tune if necessary, but once you're lined up, strike away.

EA Sports needs to get involved in making a really good, Tiger Woods-style bowling game. They make soccer, rugby, and other semi-obscure games, why not bowling?

Fin09,

I have been wondering the same thing. I got a Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 for Christmas. I can not believe how addicting the game can be. I am just getting a team together and adding attributes and playing skins games for money.So far it has been easy to win, now that I can drive the ball 270 yards.HA!
The graphics are so good in the Golf,that bowling I think would get boring.When they come up with a game with actual lane patterns,and an arsenal of different balls and ect. It might
be interesting.
Have you played any of the Golf games?
Dianne

I have played some of the golf games. I played Tiger Woods 2005 until my fingers almost bled, and I have the 2006 and 2007 versions that I haven't played much of. The biggest risk, I think, with trying to make a good bowling game is just what you pointed out, and that is trying to keep it from getting boring or too easy too quickly. You can only dress up a bowling game but so much. But, if you incorporate a lot of different features, such as a PBA style season, as well as leagues, open play, rock-n-bowl, and practice modes, someone could sell a lot of these. Make it so you can build a character, then use him in the "quick play" segment, so that you can bowl against a top PBA pro in quick, one game matches for fun.

Fin,
I guess maybe we better stick to real life bowling.Not sure that too much sitting in front of computer is a good thing. I had to really laugh about the finger bleeding remark.I used to play golf so the game is fun for me.The characters they dream up are something else.I have a feeling as my team moves up it will get harder to win. Oh well it is fun.
Dianne

I used to play the PGA golf games back on the Sega Genesis (I'm starting to show my age) as well as a couple of the old Links PC games too. I'm a much better video golfer than an actual golfer.
I guess I would rather bowl than play a bowling video game, I guess, but I'd like to be able to do both. Oh, well, I guess we'll have to wait and see!

Bowling Evolution is a free bowling game, with rankings for online scores. Pretty decent, and the physics are pretty good, and it seems to be actively developed.

Like DJRipz said, If you want a true bowling simulation, get High Velocity Bowling for the PS3...you can order it from the PS Store if you have a PS3.

The characters are kind of goofy/corny, but the ball physics and the mechanics incorporated into the 6-axis controller to throw the ball are true to life. This game will definitely work on your game in regards to adjusting ball speeds, etc.

They have real oil patterns that you can see (by pressing R3, I think) and you have to make good ball choices in order to combat the lane oil. Get an aggressive ball too early into the dry, watch it go through the nose. Get a less aggressive ball into too much middle oil, watch it not finish and slide right past the pocket.

It is the BEST bowling sim I've ever played...I haven't played it much since I started playing the other games, but I still go there every so often to see if I can post a big game...high game 290 so far.

I've got a Wii, and I want to get either the Brunswick or AMF Pinbusters...any input? Wii bowling that's included in WiiSport isn't bad if you just wanna kick back with some friends, but it's soooo easy...you don't even have to move your arm if you can flick your wrist hard enough

I would not recommend AMF Pinbusters for Wii. The Wii Sports Bowling is much better. I have not tried the Brunswick game, but the AMF Pinbusters is a dust collector. Thankfully, we only paid like $10 for AMF or I would have been upset.

I like the bowling game that comes with the nintendo Wii sports package. Using the wireless controller to "throw" the ball is nice, and i think you can even tweak spin before you "throw.

I really enjoy the bowling game on Wii Sports....something about being able to actually swing the remote as though it were a ball is very appealing.

My other favorite bowling game of all time, though is Intellivision Bowling. My dad had it when I was a little kid, and it was great...I enjoy it to this day. I've bowled my fair share of 300 games on there, too.