To some, it must be unknown information that the Wii comes packed with Wii Sports. Otherwise, games such as AMF Bowling Pinbusters! wouldn’t exist.
Offering zero modes that would provide replay value, AMF tosses the player onto the lane for a quick game or tournament play (which offers little quick play doesn’t already other than a screen between games). The eight available characters are hideous stereotypes, and fling out some of the most repetitive, grating voice samples in recent memory.
Two mini-games - pool and obstacle - are throwaways. Obstacle was handled better in Wii Sports training mode, and pool is baffling melding of two sports that don’t belong together.
Without a career mode, all could be forgiven if the actual bowling was worth something. It’s not. The first penalty is the total lack of available left or right-handed options. Sorry lefties, you’re left out of this one.
Ball physics make it feel as if the game is taking place on a planet with a different gravity standard. The ball will unnaturally hook wildly to one side. Getting the proper hook is difficult due to overly-sensitive controls. Those that wish to toss a straight ball can sit out next to the left handed people.
Animation doesn’t match the throwing motion of the player either, instead running through a canned routine that doesn’t change. This makes it difficult to time the throw for power purposes.
Pins react slightly better, though some rare pin set ups happen with regularity. Taking out the 2 and 3 pins without hitting the 1, 5, or 6 isn’t natural. Audio also doesn’t mesh well, as the pins lack their familiar “ping” when hit.
Eight different lanes all play the same, and there are no options to set oil. The only difference between them is their look and ridiculous background noise… err, music. There is nothing to unlock or play for, and Pinbusters! doesn’t even save high scores.
Wii Sports remains the dominate bowling effort on the Wii, though with competition like this, it’s not surprising. Wii Sports handles all of the basics Pinbusters! skips, including necessities like character customization, which yes, Pinbusters! misses as well. AMF is purely an exploitive piece of software meant to lure in people who want to break free from Wii Sports and simply don’t know any better.
AMF Bowling Pinbusters! is rated E (Everyone) by the ESRB for Mild Suggestive Themes.
Article comments
1 - Orb
Ok, this game was rushed. No options for different balls, ball weights, lane conditions, etc. However, anyone who thinks this game is worse than the pack-in Wii-Sports bowling has been competing against his Grandma too much. After getting a feel for this game and the far more realistic control it provides, Wii Sports bowling, well, just sucks.
This game provides a far more realistic bowling experience for your Wii, and does it at a great price now ($10 at many locations.)
And if you can't throw a straight ball, learn the mechanics of the control. It can be done if you know what you are doing.