REVIEW – This is a sport that is far from mainstream around here, which makes it rather puzzling why the powers that be felt this was the project to pursue. Granted, this is a licensed game (PBA), but it clearly lacks the kind of budget that would make it stand out – which is understandable, considering bowling is hardly a mass sport even in North America. The upside is that no prior knowledge of bowling is required, and there is no shame in that.

Bowling is not the same as nine-pin bowling, so the two are not interchangeable – a random tidbit, admittedly, but it fills the gap where a better one-liner should be.

Straight Out of the Wii Era

The game feels like something that would have fit perfectly on the Nintendo Wii. It genuinely gives off the impression of a title from two console generations ago. This extends to the character models, which can look alarmingly unattractive at times, and the overall dated visual philosophy does not stop there, as the menus also feel distinctly old-fashioned.

That said, it would be unfair to judge the game solely on appearances. From a physics standpoint, it holds up surprisingly well. Bowling balls differ in weight, material, surface treatment, and core shape, all of which matter here. Authenticity seems to be a priority, as the selection of available balls is impressively broad. There is also a decent variety of lanes and venues, each featuring specific oil patterns.

The placement of oil directly affects how the ball travels down the lane, but over time, oil gives way to bare wood as play continues. As lanes are used, oil spreads unevenly, making control increasingly difficult, and strategies that worked early on may no longer be effective later.

Following the installment released four years ago, the game now runs on a new engine, introducing features such as oil visualization, allowing players to assess where lubricant remains on the lane. The pin simulation has also been refined, which explains why the developers emphasize that “this is not an arcade game”. Controls, however, remain straightforward, with throws executed by moving the analog stick back and forth.

Finding the right line and ideal power is key before unleashing a strike that knocks down every pin in a single motion. Several modes are available, including quick play, a career mode, and online matches. The career mode follows a simple structure, starting in your custom character’s hometown and gradually progressing toward national tournaments.

Between matches, players can unlock new outfits and bowling balls, while earned currency allows for better equipment upgrades. In addition to one-on-one matches, there are team-based competitions and knockout tournaments. Sponsorships also become available later on, occasionally requiring representation, all within the boundaries of the official PBA license.

Strike Is the Heart of Everything

The Strike Derby mode challenges players to score as many strikes as possible within two minutes. If a golden pin appears, a strike earns double points. Other challenges focus on spares, including the infamous 7-10 split.

Alternative bowling variants such as candlepin and duckpin also make an appearance, though distinguishing between them may feel almost redundant given how unfamiliar the sport is locally. The career mode avoids punitive design, allowing repeated attempts until success is achieved. In total, 13 locations across the United States are available, some of which are modeled with notable authenticity.

Commentary starts off engaging but quickly becomes repetitive, often telegraphing the outcome of throws in advance. This, too, feels like a relic of the Wii era. A notable omission is the lack of female professional bowlers among the 32 licensed athletes, despite the fact that female characters can be created in career mode.

How Do You Even Score This?

It is not an easy question to answer. On Steam, the game gathered 145 reviews within a week and a half, with 95% being positive, but those numbers alone cannot be the sole benchmark. Objectively speaking, weak commentary, dated visuals, and the absence of female pros place the experience at roughly a 7/10.

The fundamentals are solid, but this is not a title that will appeal to a broad audience. Bowling enthusiasts will appreciate it more than most. A PC demo is available, and since the game runs smoothly even on hardware that is five to six years old, it is well worth trying.

-V-

Developer: FarSight Studios
Publisher: FarSight Studios
Release Date: December 19, 2025
Genre: Bowling