| Pick up any gaming publication at your local | | | | polar bear on ice to crash into pins. Not exactly a |
| bookstore and you'll quickly realize that simulation | | | | true bowling simulation, but this one gets first |
| games for sports such as football, golf and | | | | mention because of its terrific gameplay and |
| hockey are of massive appeal. But there is one | | | | intuitive controls. Too many bowling games these |
| genre of sports that has never managed to | | | | days are overly-difficult to pick up in less than |
| break into the mainstream, and that is the | | | | 10-minutes. Polar Bowler is simple, straight-forward |
| traditional and beloved game of bowling. | | | | and we think it is a great download for older |
| If you search the exhaustive archival database of | | | | adults who feel their a bit less coordinated. |
| published games for titles that have the word | | | | Brunswick Bowling by THQ is a true bowling |
| 'NFL' or 'PGA', hundreds, if not thousands of game | | | | simulation that looks and feels like real-life bowling. |
| titles are returned. Even some of the most | | | | The graphics are very traditional for a bowling |
| obscure or under-the-radar league associations | | | | game, but the real highlight with this game is the |
| have game titles. Did you know there is a World | | | | internal bowling physics engine. This game has |
| Series of Beer Pong association? Even beer pong | | | | been developed to produce realistic results based |
| had a game release for the Wii in 2008, but that | | | | on a number of true-life factors such as lane |
| game was quickly modified after parents were | | | | slickness (lanes are often oiled or are synthetic, |
| upset with the references to alcohol. | | | | not wood), ball weight/size, and ball spin. This is |
| So what about bowling? The Professional Bowlers | | | | not a bowling arcade game like the |
| Association (PBA) is the largest bowling | | | | aforementioned Wii Bowling, but rather a |
| organization in the world, but yet only a handful of | | | | sophisticated simulation. |
| PBA Bowling games exist. Compare that to the | | | | Gutterball 3D by TryMedia is another popular and |
| massive successes of NFL games such as | | | | free bowling game to play. This game is a mix |
| Madden, or NHL Hockey by EA Sports and | | | | between bowling and racing as the purpose is to |
| bowling's market share is diminutive in relation. Put | | | | control a bowling ball in the 3D environment crash |
| simply, people don't want to play bowling | | | | into pins at high speed. If you're looking to bring |
| simulations. | | | | your local alley experience home, this may not be |
| The most notable bowling game success thus far | | | | for you, but don't overlook it entirely because it's |
| would have to be Wii Bowling, which allows the | | | | gotten rave reviews for its addictive gameplay. |
| gamers to physically motion the movements | | | | PBA Bowling by Bethesda Softworks is a free |
| associated with proper bowling ball throwing | | | | bowling game that emphasis real-world bowling |
| technique, including ball spin and follow-through. | | | | physics and league play. Much like Brunswick |
| This physical interaction with the game is why it's | | | | Bowling, PBA Bowling is a true bowling simulation |
| a success. Real-life bowling is extremely fun for | | | | game and offers tournament competition modes |
| even the most disinterested athletes, and Wii | | | | and bracket play. Something many bowling game |
| Bowling is the closest to bringing the true nature | | | | titles fail to incorporate. |
| of bowling into the home. | | | | These free bowling games can be downloaded at |
| Unfortunately for most game manufacturers, | | | | many of the popular gaming websites or direct |
| however, they do not have access to develop | | | | from the publishers. They give you ample |
| games specifically for the Wii. They must focus | | | | opportunity to test the game and make a |
| their development efforts for larger console | | | | decision whether you like it before buying. |
| audiences, most namely the computer and | | | | Multiplayer online bowling games have been all the |
| PlayStation market. | | | | rage in the past couple years, as gamers are |
| If you're an avid gamer that is looking for some | | | | begging for more human opponents. Before |
| new games to play that may have flown outside | | | | purchasing an online bowling game that offers |
| of your radar, hopefully this article will give you | | | | multiplayer functionality, be sure to read some |
| the opportunity to try something new and | | | | reviews to learn about any limitations a particular |
| different. Below you will learn what bowling game | | | | game may have for playing online. Some games |
| titles are available to play instantly and why they | | | | require you to turn on/off certain functionality in |
| are the most interesting free bowling games on | | | | your router or Windows settings, which can open |
| the market. They are all either freeware or | | | | your system up to exploits. While game publishers |
| shareware (meaning some have free-trial demos). | | | | have worked out many of these kinks in the past |
| Polar Bowler by WildTangent is a fun and | | | | year or two, many games are still plagued with |
| graphic-rich free bowling game where you steer a | | | | these problems. |