:''This game is not to be confused with the similarly titled Animaniacs: Ten Pin Alley, which was developed by Saffire.'' ''Ten Pin Alley'' is a ten-pin bowling simulation game released by ASC Games in 1996 and developed internally at Adrenalin Entertainment. The game was released on November 28, 1996 in North America, and eventually released in February 1998 in the United Kingdom. Just before its North American release, Sony selected the game's demo to be included on its PlayStation sampler disc. A sequel to the game entitled ''

Ten Pin Alley 2 ''Ten Pin Alley 2'' is a ten-pin bowling simulation video game by American studio Pronto Games, published by XS Games and released on the Game Boy Advance platform and later for the Wii. It is the sequel to the game ''Ten Pin Alley'', but was not ...

'', by an unknown developer, was mooted for a release on the

PlayStation 2 The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is a home video game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on 4 March 2000, in North America on 26 October 2000, in Europe on 24 November 2000, and in Australia on 3 ...

, but for unknown reasons was shelved. The sequel, developed by Pronto Games and published by XS Games, was released on the Game Boy Advance to dismal reviews. ''Ten Pin Alley'' should not be confused with an

audio game An audio game is an electronic game played on a device such as a personal computer. It is similar to a video game save that there is audible and tactile feedback but not visual. Audio games originally started out as 'blind accessible'-games a ...

with the same title made by PCS Games.

Gameplay

Players choose from a set of characters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. The game play modes are single player, multiplayer, tournament and practice. Each shot is controlled in a similar fashion to many of the golf games of the era: with an accuracy based pendulum system. With this the player decides the power, accuracy and hook for each shot.

Critical response

Response to the game was favorable. Critics applauded the accurate and realistic physics, the mechanics for controlling the ball's release, and the humorous behavior of the bowlers. Some critics remarked that the multiplayer capabilities, in combination with its other positive aspects, make ''Ten Pin Alley'' an ideal party video game. ''

Next Generation Next Generation or Next-Generation may refer to: Publications and literature * ''Next Generation'' (magazine), video game magazine that was made by the now defunct Imagine Media publishing company * Next Generation poets (2004), list of young ...

'', for example, called it "the perfect party game, with multiplayer capabilities, wacky characters, and solid game mechanics." ''

GamePro Gamepro.com is an international multiplatform video game magazine media company that covers the video game industry, video game hardware and video game software in countries such as Germany and France. The publication, GamePro, was originally la ...

'' summarized, "Striking sparks into the world of bowling, ''Ten Pin Alley'' delivers enough fun per frame to be recognized as the kingpin of its sport." Dean Hager of '' Electronic Gaming Monthly'' commented, "Despite its cheesy atmosphere and goof-ball characters, this sleeper-hit delivers an accurate and entertaining bowling game to the 32-bit platform." '' GameSpot'' deemed it "more fun than real bowling." ''GamePro'' assessed the Saturn version as inferior to the PlayStation version, elaborating that "Although the aturn versioncontains new camera angles, the alleys and bowlers don't look as cleanly animated as they do in the PlayStation version." However, they considered it a recommended title for Saturn owners due to its strong gameplay. ''Ten Pin Alley'' was inducted into the International Bowling Hall of Fame in 1997, with an exhibit including an interactive kiosk.

References

External links

* (archived) *{{moby game, id=/ten-pin-alley, name=''Ten Pin Alley'' 1996 video games Adrenalin Entertainment games ASC Games games Bowling video games Multiplayer and single-player video games PlayStation (console) games PlayStation Network games Sega Saturn games Video games developed in the United States Windows games