Bowling Game of the Week - Brunswick Pro Bowling for the PSP

Brunswick Pro Bowling

PSP Handheld Console

Talk of the Week

This past week, I switched from my Super Nintendo gaming system to the Playstation portable (PSP) system. I haven't had much use of this system, in fact...it's actually BrocolliRob11's PSP. Last week, my "Shooting 300" article/review" had HUGE views and was also carried by The press in Japan and Spain (..I know...crazy right?)

I made the decision to step out of the 16 bit world and jump into the 21st century. Normally, I can't grasp the updated systems...as I'm clearly not a Modern Warfare kinda guy...I do dabble in the World of Warcraft realm, but not too often to consider myself any kind of authority.

I packed up my family Dimension mobile with a trusty snack and visited to my local Game N Trade in Lansdale, PA. I invested a whopping $8 on a used copy of The Brunswick Pro Bowling game. Sure...$8 isn't a lot compared to the normal $60 price tags on games today, but remember, last week I spent $.89 cents on the Brunswick Tournament of Champions Bowling game for Super Nintendo...so that's like a 100 times price increase!!

Now, the release date of this game is August 2007, so again...I missed the big launch party!! That's ok, with a retail sticker price of $19.99, I doubt they were having cake and ice cream or even a midnight opening. I took a chance, sort of a blind buy on this one. Not researching at all and going with my gut (which seems to be growing due to too much Holiday eating) feeling, I was pleasantly surprised to say the least!

I don't want to give a final review yet, since I've only played for 4 days this far but, I already really like this game. It's been a while since I've had a game that I can't stop playing...and I mean...can't stop!! The game is a bit awkward to start but once you get going, you're set.

After half a day doing the "Quick Play", I opted for the "Career Mode"...I laced up my rented shoes, hopefully minus the foot fungus, grabbed my Alley ball and hit the lanes. When you start..you have 0 of anything...no money to buy better equipment, you lack arm strength and stamina and have poor accuracy. Don't let that detour you from taking down the punks who wanna bowl you. I wasn't scared, I took down a few less than credible opponent's but sometimes you need to take care of business. Without explaining "how to play" I will mention a few finer points.

Graphics - so far, great. The pin reaction and ball motion are realistic. The oil breakdown on the lanes, great. Everything looks great...when I started with the "House Ball", I seemed to do much better playing the 2nd arrow, with medium hook. Now, this doesn't always work. Sometimes the lanes are drier, making you move your feet, slow down your ball speed and hook the ball more. Other times, the oil is heavier, allowing you to play straighter (more direct) and increase your rev rate (Spin or Hook potential). Pin carry, as it plagues some of us in the real game, comes into play here. If your ball travels down the lane before it begins it's hook, you will see the EVIL 10 pin, plus, splits will rear their ugly head...but the bonus, most are makable!

So far, I only lost 1 game in the 1st League session, finishing with a 35-1 record, averaging 215. Granted, not bad with a "House Ball", but after winning my 1st Tournament, I upgraded Bowling balls..to a Groove...terrible choice by the way. Way too much hook, was far to difficult to judge the break point and get the desired carry. With my extra money, I made another Ball choice...I went with the Target Zone, Red and Bone color (the Pic is the closest I could find to a match). This ball allowed me to continue my more direct line, similar to the House Ball, but had better pin carry.

Once I made this ball change..I instantly had better scores. Finishing out the 1st round of League games with back to back 300's. In techincal terms, if you're a bowler. I had very little head belly, stood on 14 and hit 8 at the arrows...<---- kind of like Geek Speak for Bowlers. This netted the best carry percentage and flush pocket hits. Granted, in "Real" bowling, a Target Zone is a spare ball or designed for a beginner, but for the sake of me living vicariously through this game..the Target Zone is great!!

Today, I started a new League session and after my first 6 games of League...I'm dominating with a whopping 264 average. My high being a 289. I do float between the House Ball and the Target Zone depending on the oil pattern they have out. I seem to struggle during the Tournaments the most, as my opponenst get extremely lucky and improve as soon as the tournament starts. I for one, will be playing this during the Christmas vacation...but I know my Wife picked me up Tiger Woods The Masters for PS3...and I can NOT wait to play that game. Until next week...see you on the lanes...even if it's only virtual.

Dimension shoots 300 on SNES...and so can YOU

Dimension Shoots 300 on SNES

...and so can YOU!!!

Brunswick World Tournament of Champions

Super Nintendo (1997)

Today I thought I would give you guys a review and tips to help you achieve your dreams of one day walking amongst the best in the Super Nintendo world elite. Now, understand, that you don't get a green jacket, there is no golden ring after achieving this amazing feat...but you will have bragging rights. After all, the best pick up line to a girl is "Hey, I can bowl 300 on the Super Nintendo Brunswick World Tournament of Champions Bowling game."

If you are a retro gamer, still own a Super Nintendo and possibly spent .89 cents on one of the last produced games for the system..then it's possible that you have felt your life was lacking the ability to score BIG. I'm here to help. The Brunswick World Tournament of Champions game, after researching online, has a bad reputation as a difficult game to become great on. Poor visual effects, complex hand/eye coordination controls and more useless knowledge than you can shake a bowling pin at.

Let's take a look at the set up. Simply by pass the bio's of the Professional Bowlers, sure Walter Ray Williams Jr. might be the winningest Bowler EVER on Tour and the greatest Horseshoe throwing champion in the World...he achievements in life pale in comparison to yours...so skip him and jump to player set up.

I'm going to use the Right Handed bowler...because..well, I'm a right hander. One thing that peaks my interest almost immediately...the catchy soundtrack for this game (sarcasm). Give yourself a name...I will choose ROB. Off to a good start so far. Then when you scroll to Bowling Ball selection, go in and change your ball type to Quantum Midnight Blue. There are many Quantum's to choose from..but this one is Mine.

(Facts) When I worked at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, NV, during its grand opening year (1995) I worked for Brunswick. The Quantum bowling balls were the 1st of there kind to have a retail of $200.00 each. One of my perks for working there was free equipment, I actually had a Midnight Blue Quantum. In reality, the Midnight Blue Quantum was designed for dryer conditions, being a "cover heavy" ball..meaning that the ball's inner core was lighter than the outer shell, delaying the early hook. The track flare was minimal due to this, opposed to the other Quantums. See, life imitating art.

Next is the weight, choose 15lbs. Then, simply click OKAY. For the spare ball, it doesn't matter, what color to choose, just make sure it is a PLASTIC ball. Now your Bowler should be set. Again, press OKAY. This game is so easy so far..huh? Go back to your Main page, then head to Practice...you need to practice before you can just go flauting your skills...I mean, Greatness isn't just handed to you!

Ok, now, the Oil Pattern you will choose is Easy to start with. I will show you how to get the BEST strike percentage using this skill level, after that...it's on you to mess around with (I'm like Yoda, I can't give away all the secrets).

When stepping onto the lane, as you can see by the picture to the Left, stand with your Left foot on the Center dot. This represents the 20th board, basically you are in the center of the lane (A Lane has 40 boards across..it's actually 41 but that's a whole other nerd story). The arrow marker is just a pinch Left of the 2nd arrow. This represents the 10th board (the actually maker should be on about the 12th board), so we are playing 20 to 10 in Bowlers jargon. See, you are learning so much already.

Now, the Power and Spin functions are where simple hand and Eye cooridination come into play. The goal with the Power is to stop it centered at 12 o'clock, like straight up. Imagine the Power meter is a clock, that way the 3-6 would be blocked off (The 6 o'clock is the starting point and the 3 o'clock is the max power.

As for the Spin control, you wan t to MAX the the spin power as much as possible. The more consistant you are with this combination, the more you will strike at will. This is only the basics, you will need to fine tune your skill and ability but someday, you to can walk into any Bowling Alley, with your head held high, your name on the back of your shirt and stand amongst the Elite!

Here is the final result, yes folks, a 300 game. See you on the lanes! For more reviews...let me know, I would love to do some more silly little reviews for the Super Nintendo or even the Original Nintendo.

Follow me on Twitter @RobDimension or visit my site http://www.robdimension.com/ plus, listen to my podcast - The Extreme Odd Couple at http://www.xocpodcast.com/ with Steve Corino.