Midnight Bowling 3
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| Midnight Bowling 3

In my experience, bowling isn't cool, hip, or sexy, but if Midnight Bowling 3 is to be believed the act of rolling a ball at some pins is all three of those things and much more besides. Perhaps I've just been going to the wrong bowling alleys.

Still, while the stylish veneer of drinks and pretty young things might be there to entice you in, the core bowling mechanics offer enough challenge that even the most ardently square ten pin expert will find a lot to enjoy here.

Bowling time

The controls are simple and effective. An arrow swings around in front of your ball, and you tap five to stop it in the direction you want to bowl. A power meter appears and you need to tap '5' again to set the strength of your throw.

As your ball rolls down the lane you can add aftertouch to it, tapping '4' or '6' to wobble and spin it into a more advantageous position. Once it hits the pins your score is added up and it's someone else's turn.

If you like your bowling old-fashioned, there's a Quick Play mode that lets you face off against different opponents, while Career mode offers a series of different challenges for you to overcome.

These range from short bowling bouts to obstacle-dodging trials that test your ability to weave the ball around pints of beer and under points-scoring tables before it smashes into the pins and you receive your final tally.

Pin pals

There's a lot to like about Midnight Bowling 3, and plenty of content too. There are extra balls and other accessories to unlock, and enough levels in the campaign mode to waste a good few hours on.

It's not perfect, and the timing on the controls is ever so slightly out, but if you like bowling while surrounded by hipsters dressed in tutus, then you're going to find yourself right at home here.

If you like your bowling a little more old-fashioned you'll still find a pretty solid simulation under the neon lights and pouting protagonists, but that aura of forced cool will likely grate after a while.

Midnight Bowling 3

Fun and simple, Midnight Bowling 3 offers something for anyone with a penchant for the sport to enjoy
Score
Harry Slater
Harry Slater
Harry used to be really good at Snake on the Nokia 5110. Apparently though, digital snake wrangling isn't a proper job, so now he writes words about games instead.