PBA Bowling Challenge

About

"PBA Bowling Challenge is an arcade game with phenomenal gameplay and perfect graphics, despite some bugs and excessive advertisements. Compete against 22 professional bowlers in career mode, unlocking new opponents and locations, or bowl against friends in real-time multiplayer matches. Improve your skills and take on bowling legends like Walter Ray Williams, Jr. and Pete Weber."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 9,993 reviews

graphics355 positive mentions

monetization561 negative mentions

monetization
586 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
2%
96%
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism from users, primarily due to the overwhelming number of ads that interrupt gameplay, often appearing after every match. Many players express frustration over the inability to permanently remove ads, with some suggesting a paid option for an ad-free experience. While some acknowledge the necessity of ads for a free game, the frequency and length of these ads have led to a negative impact on overall enjoyment, prompting many to consider uninstalling the game.
- “No advertising unless you get rewarded for it.”
- “No ads while playing, a nice change compared to some of the games out there.”
- “It is fun and there are no ads.”
- “This game used to be enjoyable when I played it a few years ago; now it's so badly plagued with ads to download other games (quite literally after every single game) that you can't even develop a rhythm to play well anymore, which basically makes the app pointless.”
- “The game is great but they put on ads for PayPal who suck. I would like to see PBA bowling have an in-app purchase to remove ads permanently, like maybe a monthly subscription like most apps have.”
- “I love the game but the ads are extremely intrusive, frequent, and very long. If it wasn't for the constant ads after each game, I would rate it higher.”
graphics
428 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
83%
16%
1%
The graphics in this bowling game are widely praised for their realism and high quality, often described as superior to other games in the genre. Players appreciate the detailed visuals, including lifelike bowling balls and alleys, which enhance the overall gaming experience. While most reviews highlight the impressive graphics, a few mention occasional bugs and the need for further improvements in certain areas.
- “The graphics are superior to all others, and also has the most realistic game-like quality to it.”
- “The graphics are superb, the controls easy to learn, and the opponents are challenging.”
- “Great graphics and a wide variety of balls and lanes to play with.”
- “I have to dock two stars though, one for an occasional graphical bug where the pins will appear standing for an entire game after the ball hits them, and another for an issue where about half the time the game sends me back to the main menu after a match instead of to the normal 'play next game' screen.”
- “The only 2 areas that need slight improvement are the graphics of the ball speed.”
- “Nice graphics but not good enough to make me stay.”
gameplay
58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
66%
29%
5%
Overall, the gameplay of the bowling game is praised for its realism, smooth mechanics, and engaging graphics, making it enjoyable for fans of the sport. However, some users express frustration with ad interruptions, pay-to-win elements, and occasional control issues that detract from the experience. Despite these criticisms, many find the gameplay addictive and a solid time-killer.
- “Hands down one of the most realistic bowling games out there with amazing graphics and simple gameplay!”
- “Great graphics and amazing gameplay.”
- “Gameplay is sweet.”
- “This could be a fairly decent bowling game if the developers would adjust the pin mechanics to fall properly!”
- “I would rate it higher if the game weren't programmed to roll awful balls even using the exact same mechanics that got you 6 strikes in a row.”
- “Oil on the lane is just a stupid way of showing that the developer couldn't get the controls right and threw in a 'mechanic' to make the game 'difficult' when in reality, they just couldn't program a ball to roll properly.”
stability
53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
8%
81%
The game's stability is a significant concern among users, with many reporting frequent freezes and glitches that disrupt gameplay, particularly during ads and multiplayer sessions. While some players have experienced smooth performance, the overall consensus indicates that the game suffers from stability issues that can affect the enjoyment and functionality, leading to frustration. Despite its potential and engaging gameplay, the persistent technical problems detract from the overall experience.
- “I've been playing almost 200 consecutive games with no glitches.”
- “Love the bowling app, good graphics and sound like the real thing, easy to learn if you're a first timer, no ads during the game and no glitches whatsoever, thanks PBA for this experience of playing bowls, it's been a while.”
- “Game runs clean, no glitches.”
- “Game freezes a bit too much to the point of not being able to move the ball into a position.”
- “The game often freezes or stops and goes back to the Play Store.”
- “I really enjoy this game, but it freezes up a lot and that's becoming more frequent.”
music
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
53%
16%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising the soundtrack and its contribution to the overall experience, while others find it repetitive or overly loud, leading to frustration. Suggestions for improvement include adding options for background music and better synchronization with gameplay. Overall, while the music enhances the game for some, it detracts from the experience for others, indicating a need for more customization.
- “Besides, the music alone would get the game 5 stars.”
- “Smooth gameplay, lovely soundtrack, excellent graphics!”
- “Great work graphics and music!!!”
- “The intro music is so loud it wakes up the whole house when you open the app.”
- “The music drives me nuts.”
- “I couldn't turn the most annoying music off.”
humor
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
93%
21%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its quirky bowling ball designs and amusing graphics, which many players find entertaining and creatively engaging. While some users note that the humor is more fun than consistently funny, the overall experience is described as enjoyable, with moments that elicit laughter. The game's lighthearted approach and unique elements contribute to its appeal as a time-killer.
- “It is a lot of fun with some very unusual and funny bowling balls that I can't wait to try!”
- “Great graphics, good humor, and creativity in special events and equipment.”
- “Omg 5 stars totally worth downloading amazing graphics and gameplay, funny designs on the bowling balls.”
- “Not a funny game.”
- “The humor falls flat and feels forced.”
- “I expected more laughs, but the jokes just didn't land.”
story
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
50%
30%
The game's story aspect is generally viewed as engaging but lacking depth, with players expressing a desire for a longer narrative. While some missions are enjoyable and provide a sense of progression, others can be frustratingly difficult, leading to mixed feelings about the overall experience. Additionally, players appreciate the side missions and the potential for more diverse content, such as incorporating historical elements from off-road racing.
- “Love this game! The controls, graphics, everything is great. I just wish it had a longer storyline, but it's still a fantastic game.”
- “Thanks for resetting the game clock! The game now starts a lot faster. I'm still waiting for you to build that off-road racing game. There's a great book called '1000 Miles to Glory' that tells the story of Baja off-road racing back in the 70s.”
- “Thanks for resetting the game clock. The game now starts a lot faster. I'm still waiting for you to build that off-road racing game. There's a great book called 'A Thousand Miles to Glory' that tells the story of Baja off-road racing back in the 70s. It began with people building their own cars and trucks to take on the Baja. They didn't have pit crews, so a bunch of guys got together and called themselves Mag7. My dad was one of them.”
- “From a very close friend, and I think it is not the last word we have in mind for this story, but it has to be done by a lot in a while back generation of our people who are going on to become part-time campaign managers to address this issue. We need to do something about it that we are not doing, so that the best team we have ever had will have to go through the first two weeks of our first year in the Senate because of our own health care bill this month.”
- “No bowling game comes close... end of story.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often feeling that it detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the game's fun elements, many express frustration with the extensive grinding required to progress, particularly for upgrades like better equipment. Overall, the game is seen as enjoyable, but the grind can be a significant barrier for those seeking a more casual experience.
- “Don't have the patience to do all that grinding again, especially if I could have it all taken away again.”
- “It's painstakingly tedious!”
- “It's a fun game, but just grinding to get a better bowling ball is not worth my time.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The optimization of the game is highly praised, with users noting its fast-paced gameplay and smooth graphics that contribute to a high-performance experience. Players appreciate the excellent balance and overall performance, enhancing their enjoyment of the bowling game.
- “App number one fast play live human players in a graphically smooth, high-performance bowling game. You can get a little dizzy when you win.”
- “Real performance.”
- “Excellent performance and perfect balance.”
- “The game suffers from severe optimization issues, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
- “Despite its potential, the lack of proper optimization makes it frustrating to play, especially on lower-end devices.”
- “The optimization is so poor that it often feels like I'm playing a beta version rather than a finished product.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users find the game to be highly emotional and immersive, creating a sense of presence that enhances the experience. It is described as both touching and enjoyable, making it suitable for family play while evoking positive feelings.
- “I enjoy it very much; it is very emotional. I feel like I'm right there.”
- “Touching yet fun.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game effectively captures the authentic atmosphere of bowling, providing a realistic experience that resonates with players. Users appreciate how it brings the fun and enjoyment of bowling to life, making it a delightful experience for both casual and seasoned bowlers.
- “I'm an average bowler and have enjoyed bowling throughout my life. This game is very realistic and I truly enjoy playing; it brings the entire atmosphere of bowling to your fingertips.”
- “This game has that same atmosphere; it's a good time blast.”