Pick up any gaming publication at your local bookstore and you'll
quickly realize that simulation games for sports such as football, golf
and hockey are of massive appeal. But there is one genre of sports that
has never managed to break into the mainstream, and that is the
traditional and beloved game of bowling.
If you search the exhaustive archival database of published games for titles that have the word 'NFL' or 'PGA', hundreds, if not thousands of game titles are returned. Even some of the most obscure or under-the-radar league associations have game titles. Did you know there is a World Series of Beer Pong association? Even beer pong had a game release for the Wii in 2008, but that game was quickly modified after parents were upset with the references to alcohol.
So what about bowling? The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) is the largest bowling organization in the world, but yet only a handful of PBA Bowling games exist. Compare that to the massive successes of NFL games such as Madden, or NHL Hockey by EA Sports and bowling's market share is diminutive in relation. Put simply, people don't want to play bowling simulations.
The most notable bowling game success thus far would have to be Wii Bowling, which allows the gamers to physically motion the movements associated with proper bowling ball throwing technique, including ball spin and follow-through. This physical interaction with the game is why it's a success. Real-life bowling is extremely fun for even the most disinterested athletes, and Wii Bowling is the closest to bringing the true nature of bowling into the home.
Unfortunately for most game manufacturers, however, they do not have access to develop games specifically for the Wii. They must focus their development efforts for larger console audiences, most namely the computer and PlayStation market.
If you're an avid gamer that is looking for some new games to play that may have flown outside of your radar, hopefully this article will give you the opportunity to try something new and different. Below you will learn what bowling game titles are available to play instantly and why they are the most interesting free bowling games on the market. They are all either freeware or shareware (meaning some have free-trial demos).
Polar Bowler by WildTangent is a fun and graphic-rich free bowling game where you steer a polar bear on ice to crash into pins. Not exactly a true bowling simulation, but this one gets first mention because of its terrific gameplay and intuitive controls. Too many bowling games these days are overly-difficult to pick up in less than 10-minutes. Polar Bowler is simple, straight-forward and we think it is a great download for older adults who feel their a bit less coordinated.
Brunswick Bowling by THQ is a true bowling simulation that looks and feels like real-life bowling. The graphics are very traditional for a bowling game, but the real highlight with this game is the internal bowling physics engine. This game has been developed to produce realistic results based on a number of true-life factors such as lane slickness (lanes are often oiled or are synthetic, not wood), ball weight/size, and ball spin. This is not a bowling arcade game like the aforementioned Wii Bowling, but rather a sophisticated simulation.
Gutterball 3D by TryMedia is another popular and free bowling game to play. This game is a mix between bowling and racing as the purpose is to control a bowling ball in the 3D environment crash into pins at high speed. If you're looking to bring your local alley experience home, this may not be for you, but don't overlook it entirely because it's gotten rave reviews for its addictive gameplay.
PBA Bowling by Bethesda Softworks is a free bowling game that emphasis real-world bowling physics and league play. Much like Brunswick Bowling, PBA Bowling is a true bowling simulation game and offers tournament competition modes and bracket play. Something many bowling game titles fail to incorporate.
These free bowling games can be downloaded at many of the popular gaming websites or direct from the publishers. They give you ample opportunity to test the game and make a decision whether you like it before buying.
Multiplayer online bowling games have been all the rage in the past couple years, as gamers are begging for more human opponents. Before purchasing an online bowling game that offers multiplayer functionality, be sure to read some reviews to learn about any limitations a particular game may have for playing online. Some games require you to turn on/off certain functionality in your router or Windows settings, which can open your system up to exploits. While game publishers have worked out many of these kinks in the past year or two, many games are still plagued with these problems.
If you search the exhaustive archival database of published games for titles that have the word 'NFL' or 'PGA', hundreds, if not thousands of game titles are returned. Even some of the most obscure or under-the-radar league associations have game titles. Did you know there is a World Series of Beer Pong association? Even beer pong had a game release for the Wii in 2008, but that game was quickly modified after parents were upset with the references to alcohol.
So what about bowling? The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) is the largest bowling organization in the world, but yet only a handful of PBA Bowling games exist. Compare that to the massive successes of NFL games such as Madden, or NHL Hockey by EA Sports and bowling's market share is diminutive in relation. Put simply, people don't want to play bowling simulations.
The most notable bowling game success thus far would have to be Wii Bowling, which allows the gamers to physically motion the movements associated with proper bowling ball throwing technique, including ball spin and follow-through. This physical interaction with the game is why it's a success. Real-life bowling is extremely fun for even the most disinterested athletes, and Wii Bowling is the closest to bringing the true nature of bowling into the home.
Unfortunately for most game manufacturers, however, they do not have access to develop games specifically for the Wii. They must focus their development efforts for larger console audiences, most namely the computer and PlayStation market.
If you're an avid gamer that is looking for some new games to play that may have flown outside of your radar, hopefully this article will give you the opportunity to try something new and different. Below you will learn what bowling game titles are available to play instantly and why they are the most interesting free bowling games on the market. They are all either freeware or shareware (meaning some have free-trial demos).
Polar Bowler by WildTangent is a fun and graphic-rich free bowling game where you steer a polar bear on ice to crash into pins. Not exactly a true bowling simulation, but this one gets first mention because of its terrific gameplay and intuitive controls. Too many bowling games these days are overly-difficult to pick up in less than 10-minutes. Polar Bowler is simple, straight-forward and we think it is a great download for older adults who feel their a bit less coordinated.
Brunswick Bowling by THQ is a true bowling simulation that looks and feels like real-life bowling. The graphics are very traditional for a bowling game, but the real highlight with this game is the internal bowling physics engine. This game has been developed to produce realistic results based on a number of true-life factors such as lane slickness (lanes are often oiled or are synthetic, not wood), ball weight/size, and ball spin. This is not a bowling arcade game like the aforementioned Wii Bowling, but rather a sophisticated simulation.
Gutterball 3D by TryMedia is another popular and free bowling game to play. This game is a mix between bowling and racing as the purpose is to control a bowling ball in the 3D environment crash into pins at high speed. If you're looking to bring your local alley experience home, this may not be for you, but don't overlook it entirely because it's gotten rave reviews for its addictive gameplay.
PBA Bowling by Bethesda Softworks is a free bowling game that emphasis real-world bowling physics and league play. Much like Brunswick Bowling, PBA Bowling is a true bowling simulation game and offers tournament competition modes and bracket play. Something many bowling game titles fail to incorporate.
These free bowling games can be downloaded at many of the popular gaming websites or direct from the publishers. They give you ample opportunity to test the game and make a decision whether you like it before buying.
Multiplayer online bowling games have been all the rage in the past couple years, as gamers are begging for more human opponents. Before purchasing an online bowling game that offers multiplayer functionality, be sure to read some reviews to learn about any limitations a particular game may have for playing online. Some games require you to turn on/off certain functionality in your router or Windows settings, which can open your system up to exploits. While game publishers have worked out many of these kinks in the past year or two, many games are still plagued with these problems.
