Brunswick Pro Bowling PlayStation Portable

Realistic Bowling FUN

By Yahoo! Shopping User  May 26, 2008

Pros: Realistic, excellent sound and graphics

Cons: Realistic, repetitive game play

I've tried several bowling games, mostly for the PC, but Brunswick Pro Bowling on the PSP is just about as good as it gets. Still not perfect, but SERIOUS bowling fans will love it.

The only fault of this game is that it is perhaps too realistic. That is, game play is just like the real thing with little else to occupy your time on the lanes.

Pro Bowling is all business unlike many other bowling games with additional, often cartoon-like, diversions and "extra" game play objectives.

Still, BBB will hold interest and before long, even a beginner will quickly learn the game, and develop skill as a bowler. The drill is surprisingly patterned after real bowling with the average player (even adults) barely able to bowl any strikes or a spares. However, after an accelerated learning curve, high scores will come more easy.

Bowling a PERFECT game is extremely difficult, and BBB is no different. Again, the reality of bowling is that even "pros" very rarely ever see "300" on their score sheet.

If you "dial in" your bowlers swing and aim, ball spin (hook), you can hit the pocket consistently and bowl a lot of strike. However, just a tad bit off and you're left with a second shot for an unceremonious spare.

A ball thrown too close to dead on the headpin, just as in real thing, will likely result in all too elusive "split". Conversion to a spare is possible, however confronted with a set of goalposts is EXTREMELY difficult.

In summary, BBB will "hook" (no pun intended) anyone who ever visited a real bowling alley, rented a pair of shoes and kept score of their best games. The games adaptation to the PSP platform is surprisingly good, and definitely worth the 20 bucks.