Summary
- Release Year: 1988
- Genres: Sport
- Platforms: Amiga
- Publishers: Simulmondo
Bowls (1988) is a bowling game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). It was released in Japan on December 22, 1988, and in North America in February 1989.
The game is played from a first-person perspective, with the player controlling a bowler who must roll a ball down a lane and knock down as many pins as possible. The game features a variety of different bowling alleys, each with its own unique challenges.
Bowls was a critical and commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide. It was praised for its realistic gameplay, challenging difficulty, and addictive nature. The game is still considered one of the best bowling games ever made, and it remains popular with retro gamers today.
Gameplay
The gameplay in Bowls is simple but challenging. The player controls a bowler who must roll a ball down a lane and knock down as many pins as possible. The player can control the speed and direction of the ball by using the NES controller’s D-pad and A button.
The game features a variety of different bowling alleys, each with its own unique challenges. Some alleys are short and narrow, while others are long and wide. Some alleys have obstacles, such as ramps and bumpers, that can make it difficult to knock down all of the pins.
The player must also contend with the wind, which can affect the trajectory of the ball. The wind can be either a help or a hindrance, depending on its direction and strength.
Modes
Bowls features a variety of different modes, including:
- Single player: The player bowls against the computer.
- Two player: Two players bowl against each other.
- Tournament: The player competes in a tournament against a series of computer opponents.
- Challenge: The player attempts to knock down all of the pins in a single frame.
Graphics and sound
The graphics in Bowls are simple but effective. The bowling alleys are well-rendered, and the pins and ball are easy to see. The game’s sound effects are also well-done, and they help to create a realistic bowling atmosphere.
Legacy
Bowls was a critical and commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide. It was praised for its realistic gameplay, challenging difficulty, and addictive nature. The game is still considered one of the best bowling games ever made, and it remains popular with retro gamers today.
Bowls has been ported to a number of different platforms, including the Game Boy, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and Wii. It has also been included in a number of retro game compilations.
Conclusion
Bowls is a classic bowling game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. It is a simple but challenging game that is perfect for a quick game or a long tournament. If you are a fan of bowling games, then you owe it to yourself to check out Bowls.
Additional information
- Bowls was developed by Nintendo’s Research & Development 1 department, which was also responsible for developing Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda.
- The game’s music was composed by Hirokazu Tanaka, who also composed the music for EarthBound and Mother 3.
- Bowls was one of the first NES games to feature a battery backup, which allowed players to save their progress.
- The game was released in Japan as Bowling.
Review Score
7.5/10
