League Bowling
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| Publisher(s) | SNK |
|---|---|
| Platform(s) | Neo Geo, Neo Geo CD |
| Release date(s) |
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League Bowling is an arcade game released in 1991 by SNK for the Neo Geo console and arcade systems. The game was unique in that it was the first arcade to put emphasis on bowling. The players controls characters with red and blue hair and can select balls from 8 to 15 pounds.
Modes
League Bowling has three types of modes, played up to 4 players.
Regulation
Played just like a normal game of bowling, with 300 being a perfect score.
Flash
Values of 100 to 500 will flash on a randomizer during the time the bowler throws his shot. A strike adds the bonus flash value to the score accumulated at the end of the game.
Strike 90
Played just like regulation except that a strike adds 90 points to the next two shots, and a spare adds 60 points to the next shot. 30 points are awarded in the case of a field goal (throwing the ball in between the 7 and 10 pins).
Multi Link Play
In addition, it also has the option to link up to 4 Neo-Geo MVS machines to become the 8-player game. This is the only Neo-Geo game that features the 8-player support. The 8-player gameplay video are shown on YouTube with the link below.
Reception
The game met with mixed to positive reviews from critics. It currently holds a 7.5 on GameFAQs. Many critics criticized its controls for being a bit awkward, but for one of the first arcade bowling games, it's passable. Also, many critics praised its humorous style of graphics and the characters, especially the reactions from the player if he gets a: strike, spare or misses.
Ports
Tom Fulp, the founder and CEO of Newgrounds, ported the game to Flash in 2002. the port features no ball selection, a regulation mode only, less animations, and the different player's sprites are the same.
Later on 2010, SNK Playmore release the Neo-Geo Station, which includes the emulation of the game and other Neo-Geo games for the PlayStation 3 and the PSP.
On July 12, 2011, Virtual Console version for the Wii was released in Japan.
Easter Egg
Nadia, from the anime "Nadia - The secret of the blue water" can be seen cheering in the background.