Brunswick Pro Bowling

"Just takes time and practice"

Up next is young bowler Mika. He just shot an excellent game of 246 for his second game. Lets see what he can pull off. What an excellent stride he has as he approaches the foul line. And here's the shot! Look at that ball go! It's looking good! Heading right for the pocket. Oh! A solid 10 pin. What a shame!.....

Brunsiwck Pro Bowling for the Wii reinstates a better simulation to the bowling franchise. It adds that certain finesse to watching your ball come so close to getting a strike just to watch the pins hold their ground. It makes you wanna throw your wiimote into the television screen again after wondering how your character threw a hooked ball from what you thought to be a straight one. But their are also those good times. Like getting your first 6 pack or (for the kids) watching the little animations dance across the screen after making a spare or strike. It has that certain motivation to make you hate the game so much, but keep coming back to try and get better. Just makes you wonder what the developers were really thinking when they made this game. Good or bad

(Graphics) 7/10
For the Wii, this game isn't that bad in graphics department. You can't expect top of the line graphics for a bowling game due to the fact that it's not the biggest or greatest sports franchise out there. (It is growing though.) The lanes add a certain glossy feeling. They look either heavily oiled or just very very shiny. The pins could look a little better. Trying to figure out what the logo on the pins could be a challenge for the person who doesn't play in a league and knows what the USBC is. (United States Bowling Congress) The bowling balls look the best in this game. The rotation on the ball looks amazing for the more vivid colored one's when the ball is hooking. Your bowling character is decent. He doesn't show a lot but still gives that feeling like your dressed for the occasion.

(Story) N/A
It wouldn't feel right to grade this game on a story just in part to it really doesnt have one. Their are no questions as to why you became a bowler. Why you look like your 25 just starting out and only carry a house ball but are still good enough to know how to hook a ball.

(Sound) 7/10
The music can be annoying or adrenaline rushing at times. The tracks aren't very long or have many to begin with. And they sorta change the genres up a bit. You'll go from hearing a sorta good guitar song to a mellower piano tune, then back to a hip-hop sorta beat. And that's mainly it. Nothing to over the top about it. I for one prefer the mellower piano songs and feel better about my shots when the song is playing. It just sorta sucks that you can't select a play list of songs to have during your matches. Other than that though, the sound isn't to bad and still gives you the option to increase the music over the sounds of your bowling ball hitting the pins.

(Customization) 9/10
Their is a fair amount of customization in this game. From your ball to what shirt you wanna wear. The only major problem with the customizing is your character has the minimal amount of styles to choose from. Only a few hair styles and colors to choose from. Very basic in that sense. Their are a decent amount of different bowling balls to choose from. Most of which you have to progress in the game to unlock. Their are clear descriptions as to how good they are on certain oil patterns and how much they hook or not. Then you have your shirts, shoes, hats, wrist guards and sunglasses. Wow! So not many of the shirts you would wear in public and some of the goofier ones offer the better attributes to your reputation, but that can be expected. (Tiger Woods anyone?) Their still are quite a few to pick from. Bowling shoes look like any other pair you would wear while bowling. Just not those weird clown shaped bright colored ones used as rentals. *shivers* Their is a rental pair in the game but still don't look half as bad as the ones from my local bowling alley. Next are your wrist guards that offer a little extra potential as to helping hook your ball. And they don't look half bad either. Hats (which I don't get) can also be purchased in the game. As far as know they don't seem to offer any extra help in attributes. Most of them look dorky also. Finally sunglasses (yet another thing im clueless as to why they added) can be bought in the pro shop. Sunglasses in a pro shop....hmmmmm. Anyways, atleast these increase your rep to the other bowlers on the lanes. Like a lot of other games, you need to progress to unlock and then buy these items.

(Controls) 6/10
Ok, so navigating around the main menu is simple. Press the A button to pick your event and go on from their. At the pro shop you can use the + or - buttons to rotate your character to see what he looks like from a 360 degree perspective. Going into event for leagues is still very easy, but thats where it stops. This is where a majority of practice comes into play. You must hold down the B button and rotate your wrist to align your character with where you want him to throw the ball. Then you can use the directional buttons the align your ball as to wear you wanna try and aim it. It's hard keeping the same line with the rotating your wrist part. Next you have to press the A button to move the camera into a third person perspective view. (over the shoulder of your character) One of the trickier parts (for people who don't read the instructions) is to get your bowler to become active. You need to raise the wiimote to chest level and hold the B button. When this is done correctly your character will change stance as to inform you that he is ready to begin. Your all set to bowl!!!!!.............sorta

This is by far the hardest part. Your character moves at the ace of a snail and throws the ball when he sees fit. You could have released the B button and he is till in the back swing position. Or you can try to follow his movements which can throw you off balance in the end. It's very hard to get the synchronization down.

****(the following part is from what I have experienced only)****

To get your ball to hook, release your ball when your character is still on his approach. the hook still seems to over compensate for your actions though. To throw a half way decent straight ball, follow your characters movements and release the ball when his ball touches the lane. Keep in mind that your hand still needs to be straight to do this. This all requires tons of practice and how you want the ball to react cause everyones swing and release is different.

(Summary)
Graphics: 7/10
Story: N/A
Sound: 7/10
Customization: 9/10
Controls: 6/10

OVERALL:* 7/10
Note: not an average

(Your choice)

If your an avid bowling fan than this game will sorta warm your heart and still make you feel sick to your stomach when you miss an easy 7 or 10 pin. If your that person who thinks the wii sports bowling game was great, this game is very different. It takes time to learn anything in this game. I still recommend this game if you want a decent bowling sim. It's a fun expierence that makes you come back for more to improve yourself.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 09/04/07

Game Release: Brunswick Pro Bowling (US, 08/28/07)