Customer Reviews

Brunswick Pro Bowling

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There's nothing worse than looking forward to a game release 7-8 years in the making and have end up worse than the original.

The accuracy/power control makes no sense and it's hard to vary speed with any consistency. Carry is a total mystery, there's no rhyme or reason. Graphics aren't any better and there is no variance in styles.

They've taken the pros off of the game. Career mode takes forever. I've been playing to two weeks and I'm still stuck in league play.

Still more realistic than other games, but still a far cry from what I would expect with the other sports games out there.

I have tried several bowling games for the PC and this one for the PSP is among the best. The physics, realism, sound and graphics of Brunswick Pro Bowling are superb!

Other reviewers have complained about the "accuracy" and "speed" control scheme used on the PSP. Yes, it takes a little getting use to, but once you understand how the analog nub control works to swing the ball and set the speed, no problem. It only adds a dimension of eye hand coordination to the game. The other dimensions are how much spin (or hook) you want to put on the ball (none is allowed) and how you set up to aim at the pins. You can start over if you want to redo either of the latter, but only get one chance to throw the ball accurately with the PSP's nub control.

TIP: don't put any spin on the ball and you will still roll just as many strikes and quite possibly pick up a lot of spares based on your straight line "aim" and the accuracy of your swing.

I also like the option of playing the game in the "normal" horizontal screen mode. However, this is not the default, but I definitely prefer playing games on a PSP held and operated in the normal configuration. Theoretically, the graphics should be better in vertical mode, but I did not find any compromises with the horizontal orientation; the proportions of the images displayed still seem about right no matter which orientation is used.

The name of this game is "Pro" Bowling, but even a novice can bowl some great games with a little practice, a good aim and consistency in your ball swing. The idea is to achieve "100%" in both the combined Accuracy and Strength (or speed) attributes of your swing.

Like in real bowling, throwing strikes and converting the ALWAYS elusive splits to spares, is cause for celebration. With the optional fkasg screeb animations enabled, the game itself will recognize such sterling achievements.

I bowled a high score initially of 269 after only a couple hours of practice in the Quick Play (solo player practice) mode. Many hours of league nights and dozens of games later, I rolled 11 strikes in a row and choked in the 12th frame for a 298! Not too shabby, eh?

Another neat feature of this game are the realistic graphical simulations of other - somewhat distracting - bowlers while next to your player on adjacent lanes. You can even hear the sounds of their balls striking the pins in the background.

Most other bowling games of this genre are far less realistic when it comes to the overall environment of a real bowling alley. Brunswick Pro Bowling is superb in this regard, and sometimes pause in the middle of a league night game, just watch these other bowlers doing their "thing" on the adjacent lanes. VERY REALISTIC!

For twenty bucks you can play like a real "pro", in a "real" bowling alley, without lugging around a 16lb ball, or renting endless lane time and a pair of shoes in your favorite bowling center. The only thing missing is the cold beer, old fashioned, deep fat cooked, french fries and hot date on a Friday night.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

O.K., this isn't your typical video game. But, Brunswick Pro Bowling is a great game when you just want to chill. The pace of the game is wonderful and the challenge to not only beat your opponent, but top your own high score makes the game a lot of fun and keeps the replay value high. Replay value is also kept high by the variations of bowling styles there are to master. Learning to consistently control the hook with regard to lane conditions adds to the fun. The controls are intuitive and the vertical use of the screen is genius.

There are some quirks though. There is an "accuracy" and "strength" meter, neither of which is explained in the instructions and seems to have little impact on the game and the player selections and animations are limited.

Where the game shines is in the realistic play and sounds (with the annoying music turned down). The pins react exactly as they do in real life and through the practice mode, you can actually improve your "real" game by learning the nuances of spot selection. I also enjoy the fact that you can lose yourself in the game for hours or complete a match in as little as 5 minutes.

If you like GTA, this game probably won't appeal to you. But, if you used to find a game like Tetris cathartic, then you will likely find this title an excellent addition to your PSP library.

I am not sure that it is a fantastic game, but it is entertaining, and the price is right.

First thing that comes to mind when describing this game are the outstanding physics of the pin and ball actions. It's basically as good as real life and pins can bounce off the side walls and even off of the back wall of the pit. Sometimes, the pins can bounce off of the back wall and shoot back out into the lane, just like in real life. The way that the pins react and bounce around when hit is really just like it would be in real life and the sound effects are great too. I'll say it again, I was really impressed with the physics of the game. Pleasing layout and graphics as well. The controls are great in my opinion. You have alot of control over where you want to put the ball, so picking up tough spares is very possible if you just set the path right before the throw, but it's no piece of cake or anything. And it's not like it's just a breeze to get a strike every time, the last game I bowled was a 170 and I was trying, but I was using a new character and each one has different characteristics. It's not too easy or too hard. Overall, a very satisfactory bowling game and would recommend.

its a fun game to play

it would have been better if the players against u actually were pros and more skillful i can beat people with a house ball.

thank you

This game is surprisingly a lot more fun than i thought it would be.

I heard the wii version of this game is super lame but i haven't played it.

I am a serious bowler myself with a current usbc league average of 190 with a high game of 279. So this helps my bowling fix when I am not playing Wii Bowling. Google Extended Play Arcade for my web site on video games.

Brent
[...]

This is for my daughter's PSP. I haven't been able to try it yet, as she has hogged it for days. She has stopped playing her other games and has played this one exclusively. I even got blamed yesterday for making her lose a tournament by talking to her. So I guess I'd have to say its great, but addictive.