AMF Bowling: Pinbusters! review

This belongs in the gutter

GamesRadar+ Verdict

Pros

  • +

    Swinging the Wiimote!

  • +

    "Hilarious" dialogue

  • +

    Not full price

Cons

  • -

    Horrid ball physics

  • -

    Obnoxious characters

  • -

    No replay value

Why you can trust GamesRadar+ Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.

The success of Wii Sports was always likely to spawn imitators but after numerous frames and tournaments with AMF Bowling: Pinbusters! we’re still left scratching our heads as to why this exists. It is, as a whole, considerably worse than what is one fifth of Wii Sports - in look, execution and enjoyment.

You’d think that having a game dedicated to the sport of ten-pin bowling would give plenty of opportunity for a decent career mode, unlockable lanes and characters. At the very least, scores of minigames. No such luck here. That you’re treated to the same ‘Game Over’ screen at the end of a tournament whether you win or lose is evidence enough that this is an epic failure. Start adding the appalling ball physics, offensively generic and stereotypical characters (who come with about three utterly infuriating lines of dialogue), no option for left-handed players and absolutely no content to encourage long-term play and you’re left with an utterly pointless, lazy excuse for a game.

Apr 25, 2008

More info

GenreSports
DescriptionThis game is so exciting it has an exclamation point in the title. Those weak of heart should beware.
PlatformDS, Wii
US censor ratingEveryone
Release date20 November 2007 (US), 1 January 1970 (UK)
More
CATEGORIES
Latest in Sports Games
FC 25
FC 25 Season 6 Ladder Players list and how to unlock them all
WWE 2K25
WWE 2K25 locker codes guide to free MyFaction cards
Skate 4
The Skate reboot isn't even out yet, but it already has an EA specialty: microtransactions
Umaga is a key player in The Bloodline Showcase
How to unlock all wrestlers in WWE 2K25
FC 25
FC 25 FUT Birthday guide and full cards list
WWE 2K25
WWE 2K25 review: "A colossal package even if you never go anywhere near Virtual Currency"
Latest in Reviews
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% gaming keyboard with purple RGB lighting on a desk setup
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% review: "a niche luxury"
A woman chasing a shining butterfly with a leaping cat on her shoulder in InZOI
inZOI review: "Currently feels like a soulless imitation of the worst parts of The Sims"
White Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K gaming mouse standing up against a green-lit setup
Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K review: "hampered by its predecessor"
Alienware AW2725Q gaming monitor sitting on woodgrain desk next to plant with Marvel Rivals on screen and Invisible Woman selected on character screen.
Alienware AW2725Q review: “I dare you to try and spot this QD-OLED 4K monitor’s pixels”
Looking over the countryside in Assassin's Creed Shadows
Assassin's Creed Shadows review: "More confidence, texture, and purpose than we've seen since Assassin's Creed pivoted into RPG territory"
HeroQuest box, models, tokens, board, and cards on a wooden table
HeroQuest review: "The grandaddy of dungeon crawlers"