Summary
- Release Year: 1979
- Genres: Sport
- Platforms: Atari 2600
- Developers: Atari
- Publishers: Atari, Polyvox, Sears
Bowling (1979): The Granddaddy of Bowling Video Games
Released in 1979, Bowling is one of the earliest and most influential bowling video games ever created. Developed by Atari, Inc., Bowling was a staple of arcades in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and it remains a popular game among retro gaming enthusiasts today.
The game is based on the real-world sport of bowling, and it features simple but addictive gameplay. Players control a bowler who can move left and right along the bowling lane and throw a bowling ball down the lane in an attempt to knock down as many of the ten bowling pins as possible. Players have two shots per frame, and they can score strikes (knocking down all ten pins on the first shot) and spares (knocking down all ten pins in two shots). The player’s score is determined by the number of pins knocked down in all ten frames, as well as the number of strikes and spares acquired.
Bowling features six different variations of the game, each with its own unique set of rules and challenges. The most popular variation is “Standard Bowling”, which is played with the traditional rules of bowling. Other variations include “No Taps”, in which players cannot score strikes or spares, and “Hurdle Bowling”, in which players must bowl over a series of obstacles in order to reach the pins.
Bowling was a critical and commercial success upon its release. Critics praised the game’s simple but addictive gameplay, and it quickly became one of the most popular arcade games of the early 1980s. The game was also ported to a number of home consoles, including the Atari 2600, ColecoVision, and Intellivision.
Bowling’s legacy is still felt today. The game is considered to be one of the greatest bowling video games ever created, and it has inspired numerous sequels and imitators. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay continues to entertain gamers of all ages, and it remains a popular choice for retro gaming enthusiasts.
Gameplay
Bowling is a simple game to learn, but it can be difficult to master. Players control a bowler who can move left and right along the bowling lane and throw a bowling ball down the lane in an attempt to knock down as many of the ten bowling pins as possible. Players have two shots per frame, and they can score strikes (knocking down all ten pins on the first shot) and spares (knocking down all ten pins in two shots). The player’s score is determined by the number of pins knocked down in all ten frames, as well as the number of strikes and spares acquired.
Bowling features six different variations of the game, each with its own unique set of rules and challenges. The most popular variation is “Standard Bowling”, which is played with the traditional rules of bowling. Other variations include:
- No Taps: In this variation, players cannot score strikes or spares. This makes the game more challenging, as players must knock down all ten pins on each shot in order to score.
- Hurdle Bowling: In this variation, players must bowl over a series of obstacles in order to reach the pins. This makes the game more challenging, as players must carefully aim their shots in order to avoid the obstacles.
- Super Bowling: In this variation, players can score up to three strikes in a row. This makes the game more rewarding, as players can score a lot of points very quickly.
- Double Bowling: In this variation, players bowl with two balls at the same time. This makes the game more challenging, as players must carefully aim both balls in order to knock down all ten pins.
- Animal Bowling: In this variation, the pins are replaced by animals. This makes the game more fun and whimsical, and it is a great choice for younger players.
Graphics and Sound
For its time, Bowling’s graphics were impressive. The game featured a realistic bowling alley environment, and the bowling ball and pins were rendered in detail. The game’s sound effects were also well-done, and they helped to create a realistic bowling experience.
Legacy
Bowling was a critical and commercial success upon its release. Critics praised the game’s simple but addictive gameplay, and it quickly became one of the most popular arcade games of the early 1980s. The game was also ported to a number of home consoles, including the Atari 2600, ColecoVision, and Intellivision.
Bowling’s legacy is still felt today. The game is considered to be one of the greatest bowling video games ever created, and it has inspired numerous sequels and imitators. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay continues to entertain gamers of all ages, and it remains a popular choice for retro gaming enthusiasts.
Conclusion
Bowling is a classic arcade game that’s still a lot of fun to play today. The simple gameplay is easy to learn, but hard to master, and the two-player mode is a blast. If you’re looking for a fun and challenging bowling game to play, then Bowling (1979) is definitely worth checking out.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
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