Hyperbowl

I went to Dave and Busters in Philly over the weekend and ran into this game:
http://hyperbowl.com/about/index.html


Basically, it is a bowling game where you controll your ball with a track ball. The hook is that the trackball is actually a full size bowling ball, and you have full controll over your ball (in a Marble Maddness sort of way) right up until it hits the pins. Hell, you can roll halfway down the lane, put the brakes on, and go back to the start of the lane if you want to. Sounds like it would be way too easy to rack up 300s, but the game throws you some curves. First of all, you have 20 seconds to reach the pins before you lose the frame. Second, 5 of the "alleys" are totally bizarre with traffic, rocking pirate ships, and bumpy forrest terrain to bowl over.

Anyway, it was the only game in the whole arcade that we played multiple times. The control was spot on and it was really a blast. The web page says a PC version is available.
http://www.hyperbowl.com/products/home-game.html
Hmmmm..... I think it's time for me to make a home bowling ball trackball controller. :)

No.

And who says Japan gets all the wacky arcade games? :)

I'd play this in a second if I saw it 'round here.

That sounds really cool. I suck at using TBs though, but I do have one here, so maybe I can give this a shot.

I will have to try this at D&B! Looks like fun but maybe abit shallow for homeplay.

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Originally Posted by Joust Williams

I suck at using TBs though, but I do have one here, so maybe I can give this a shot.

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If you see it in the arcade it shouldn't matter that you suck at trackballs. You basically have a bowling ball mounted at waist level and you're using both hands to hit it like crazy and keep it spinning as fast as possible to climb hills, ramp off of crap, etc. It's actually a bit of a workout. :) I couldn't get over how responsive the control was given the chaotic nature of the game.

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Originally Posted by kingoffighters

I will have to try this at D&B! Looks like fun but maybe abit shallow for homeplay.

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Well....yes, a bit shallow for home, but not nearly as shallow as you might think. Given the animated nature of the "alleys", you really can't fall into the exact same motions for each frame. And yet there is definatly skill involved.

some friends of mine told me this game was pretty fun a few weeks back. Next time I'm at D&B I'll give it a shot...

Yeah, I played this a couple of months ago, it's actually a lot of fun to play. Gives you sore palms after a while though if you try and build up full speed each time.

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Originally Posted by Adman

Gives you sore palms after a while though if you try and build up full speed each time.

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My palms were killing me after 10 frames of the pirate ship. You gotta' really get that ball flying to make it down the lane while fighting the rocking ship. :)

They have one at the Gameworks here but I've never tried it out. It's one of the most expencive games in the place (12+ credits, however much $ that come out to) and it didn't look all that great. Maybe I'll give it a shot on half price night this Friday.