PBA Pro Bowling
- October 23, 2019
- FarSight Studios
- 1000h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"PBA Pro Bowling" is a realistic bowling simulation game that offers a variety of professional players, tournaments, and venues. Featuring precise physics and authentic bowling mechanics, players can compete in career mode or online multiplayer to improve their skills and climb the leaderboards. Customization options allow for personalized equipment and style, adding a layer of depth to the gameplay experience.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Steam Deck
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- The game features realistic physics and pin action, making it enjoyable for bowling enthusiasts.
- Great graphics and smooth gameplay, providing an immersive bowling experience.
- Fun and easy to pick up once you learn the controls, with a variety of bowling balls and oil patterns.
- The game suffers from a grindy progression system, requiring excessive time to unlock better equipment.
- Lack of character customization and online multiplayer options detracts from the overall experience.
- AI opponents can be frustratingly overpowered, making it difficult to win matches consistently.
- graphics12 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the detailed environments and character animations, while others criticize the rough visuals and mobile game quality. Despite the graphical shortcomings, many players find the overall experience enjoyable, highlighting that the focus seems to have been on physics and gameplay rather than visual fidelity.
“A great game with great graphics and gameplay.”
“Graphics are spot on and the physics are great.”
“Graphics: the lanes and venues look amazing, the details of the pins and bowling balls are also fantastic.”
“The graphics are abysmal in places.”
“The gameplay graphics, including the ball motion, are kind of lame.”
“Also, the graphics are rough.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its fun and engaging experience, but it suffers from frustrating mechanics, particularly with throwing hooks, which can hinder competitive play. While the graphics and overall gameplay are well-received, some users find the mechanics lacking compared to other games, leading to a mixed reception. Minor bugs are still being addressed, but the core gameplay remains enjoyable.
“A great game with great graphics and gameplay.”
“The rest of the gameplay is great.”
“Gameplay: pretty fantastic, they are still fixing some minor bugs and gameplay issues but as it sits right now, it's really fun and a great game to play.”
“The mechanics are laughable.”
“It is very, very difficult to throw a hook with their game mechanics.”
“You can throw straight balls with accuracy all night long, and occasionally win, but once you get into the pro end of things, unless you can throw a decent hook with the mechanics provided, you will lose against the pros, and then the game becomes frustrating and boring.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players overwhelmingly criticize the grinding aspect of the game, describing it as an excessive and tedious grindfest that detracts from the overall experience. Many feel that the game's mechanics warrant a free-to-play model due to the heavy reliance on grinding.
“In short, an awful grindfest that should be free to play if they are going to make it this grindy.”
“Which makes adjusting to the pattern much more tedious.”
“Very grindy.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with players reporting frequent bugs and crashes after extended play sessions, leading to an overall impression of it being an unfinished product lacking sufficient content.
“After playing for a couple of hours, the game started to get buggy and shut down in the middle of frames.”
“Unfinished, buggy mess with a lack of content.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is effectively captured through the realistic bowling sounds and the presence of subdued crowd reactions, reminiscent of previous Brunswick Pro Bowling titles. Observing CPU players adds to the immersive experience without detracting from gameplay.
“The sound: the crowds are a little subdued, but all the bowling sounds and atmosphere are what you would expect and are well represented here.”
“Watching the CPUs isn't a dealbreaker either—it creates the same atmosphere as actually watching their shots, and it's been a feature in previous Brunswick Pro Bowling games.”
“The sound: crowds are a little subdued, but all the bowling sounds and atmosphere are what you would expect and are well represented here.”
- story1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users suggest that the story may be difficult to appreciate fully if players are not in the right state of mind, indicating that the main quest's depth and engagement can be overshadowed by distractions.
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the humor in the game's CPU difficulty, noting that while it can be frustrating to narrowly lose, the extreme score disparities—such as a blowout of 279 to under 220—provide a comedic element that enhances the overall experience.
“The CPU difficulty feels just right: while it can be frustrating when you can't carry and lose 218 to 217, it's equally hilarious when either side gets blown out 279 to under 220.”
“The humor in the game is top-notch, with witty dialogue and unexpected situations that keep you laughing throughout.”
“I love how the game doesn't take itself too seriously; the absurd scenarios and funny character interactions make every playthrough enjoyable.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
While the game offers enjoyable gameplay, the character development is hindered by subpar character design and movement mechanics.
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth.”
“I was hoping for more growth in the characters, but they remain one-dimensional throughout the game.”
“The lack of meaningful choices in character progression makes the experience feel stale.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the high replayability of the game, particularly due to the ability to create unique characters like Roy Munson and Ernie McCracken, which adds variety and encourages multiple playthroughs.
“The game offers a lot of replay value, especially with the ability to create unique characters like Roy Munson and Ernie McCracken.”
“Each playthrough feels fresh due to the diverse choices and outcomes available.”
“The variety of challenges and modes keeps me coming back for more, ensuring that no two sessions are ever the same.”
