Software:Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling

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Not to be confused with Brunswick Pro Bowling.
Short description: 1998 video game
Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling
Developer(s)Adrenalin Entertainment (PC, PS), Point of View (N64)
Publisher(s)THQ
Platform(s)Nintendo 64, PlayStation, Microsoft Windows
Release
  • NA: September 29, 1998 (PC, PS)[1]
  • PAL: November 1998 (PS)
Nintendo 64
Genre(s)Ten pin bowling
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer

Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling is a sports video game released for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation in 1998 and the Nintendo 64 in 1999.

Gameplay

These are the following game modes:

  • Exhibition
  • Skins
  • Tournament
  • Career
  • Practice
  • Cosmic

There are different lane conditions and different balls that react differently (the actual bowling balls, however, were all reactive, though several balls in the game are depicted as straight balls) as well as a physics engine that simulates real-life bowling physics.

The game includes a create-your-own-bowler feature.[3] There are also Brunswick Pro Staff members such as:

  • Mike Aulby
  • Chris Barnes
  • Parker Bohn III
  • Steve Jaros
  • Johnny Petraglia
  • Ricky Ward
  • Walter Ray Williams Jr.
  • Mark Roth
  • Randy Pedersen
  • Mike Miller

Development

The N64 version of the game was showcased at E3 1999.[4]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
GameRankingsPC: 66%[5]
PS: 78%[6]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameN64: StarStar[7]
PC: StarStarStarStarHalf star[8]
CGSPPC: StarStarStar[9]
CGWPC: StarStarStarStar[10]
Game InformerN64: 5.25/10[12]
PS: 7.25/10[13]
GameFanN64: 183/200[14]
GameProPS: 4/5[15][lower-alpha 1]
GameSpotPC & PS: 7.4/10[16][17]
HyperPC: 60/100[18]
IGNN64: 7.3/10[19]
PC: 6.8/10[20]
PS: 9/10[21]
Next GenerationPS: StarStarStarStar[22]
Nintendo PowerN64: 7.3/10[23]
OPM (US)PS: StarStarStarHalf star[24]
PC Gamer (US)PC: 89%[25]
PC ZonePC: 58%[26]
PlayPS: 62%[27]
N64 GamerN64: 14%[28]
Playstation PlusPS: 45%[29]

The PlayStation version received favorable reviews, while the PC version received average reviews, according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[5][6] Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling's biggest supporters called the game addictive and the most accurate Bowling simulation ever.[8][14][25] More lukewarm reviewers, written by critics uninterested in bowling, suggested only hardcore fans of the sport may enjoy the game.[18][16][23] Although acknowledging how true the simulation was to Bowling, Play journalist Tom Sargent and Game Informer's Jay Fitzloff found that to be a detriment given how lame the real-life experience is.[12][27]

Jules Grant of The Electric Playground wrote that while there were different difficulty levels, there was no explanation of game rules and ball physics for those new to Bowling.[11] Finding Bowling "one of the least interesting sports in existence", N64 Gamer journalists Arthur Adam and Narayan felt the simulation failed to provide anything worthwhile for even devotees of the sport, suggesting the only thing that "may excite a few nerds" was the incorporation of real-life players.[28]

A common highlight was the game's realistic simulation of the sport, particularly with the physics.[16][22] PC Gamer critic Joel Durham Jr. noted that the complexity of the pin movements led to varying, unexpected results: "Once in a while you’ll get lucky and a downed pin will roll into that last remaining pin for a strike; other times, you'll think you nailed the pocket but wind up with a split."[25]

Positive comments were made on the features, such as the high amount of them.[25][22] Durham Jr. and AllGame's Michael L. House claimed that the different oil patterns and gameplay modes, such as practice, incentivized players to improve their skills.[8][25] Wrote Durham Jr., "you'll be yearning to raise your average just a little bit, or trying to nail those three strikes you need in the tenth to break 200".[25] GameSpot's Jeff Gerstmann praised the video clips about the bowlers, calling them "the most hilarious gaming moments in recent memory", and recommended even non-Bowling fans to buy the game just to see them.[16] Game Informer enjoyed the replay option unusual in other games, and the Cosmic Bowling feature "because it's just too gaudy not to like".[12] IGN's Tal Blevins also loved Cosmic Bowling, calling it one of the game's best modes.[20]

Some reviewers generally found the presentation unspectacular.[22] Reviews of the PC version from Jonah Falcon of Computer Games Strategy Plus and Scott A. May of Computer Gaming World found the graphics to take too little advantage of the 3D acceleration hardware.[9][10] Blevins was repulsed by the still background crowd and little amount of sound effects, suggesting commentary audio should've been incorporated to spice up the experience.[20] Game Informer also disliked the lack of commentary, was annoyed by the repetitive crowd sound effects, found the player character animations limited, and noted there is "little happening onscreen, yet somehow the graphics are still choppy".[12] Adam condemned the graphics as blurry and plain, specifically criticizing the cardboard-cutout audience, the "utter bollocks" design of the bowlers, and puking at the neon-colored Cosmic Bowling alley.[28] Grant and GamePro's Air Hendrix, although just as lukewarm, opined it looked and sounded the best a Bowling simulation could.[11]

Falcon and Grant targeted the player characters. Grant disliked the limited options of bowler customization, particularly when it came to faces, clothing colors, and the absence of female characters.[11] Falcon was outraged by the fact that there were no females, given that "bowling is one sport in which women are truly on par with the men, and have mixed pairs (like tennis and golf)".[9] Additionally, he called out their "creepy" faces as well as the inability to vary body types, thus making the characters too similar to each other.[9]

However, the visuals and sound were not without compliment, the player character animations a common highlight.[18][16][11] Blevins applauded the soundtrack, particularly its variety of styles, which "ranges from funky fuzz guitar jams that remind me of Interstate '76 to AC/DC inspired heavy-metal licks".[20] GameSpot's Jeff Gerstmann praised the use of several camera angles and "surprisingly good" music,[16] and Cam Shea noted the ball and pin reflections and "spot on" sound effects.[18]

Criticism was targeted toward the simple controls and setup. Smith and AllGame critic Anthony Baize argued the gameplay amounted to nothing more than pressing a single button frequently.[7][28] PC Zone's Craig Vaughan criticized the two meters' "sweet spots", which made the challenge less skill-based.[26] Grant, May,Hendrix and Durham Jr., on the other hand, claimed that, despite the simple controls and setup, the experience was made complex and "smooth" by aspects such as realistic and unpredictable pin physics, differing levels of ball responses to the controls, and changing oil patterns between bowling alleys.[10][11][15][25]

Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling 2

A sequel, Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling 2, was only released for the PlayStation. It featured more characters (now including female characters), an easier throw system and many others.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ GamePro gave the PlayStation version 3.5/5 for graphics, 2.5/5 for sound, 4.5/5 for control, and 4/5 for overall fun factor.

References

  1. ↑ Jebens, Harley (September 29, 1998). "Bowler Readied for Retail [date mislabeled as "April 28, 2000""]. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on February 23, 1999. https://web.archive.org/web/19990223185655/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_09/29_probowlpc/index.html. Retrieved February 23, 2021. 
  2. ↑ IGN staff (December 22, 1999). "The Biggest Thing Since 'Kingpin'". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/12/23/the-biggest-thing-since-kingpin. Retrieved February 23, 2021. 
  3. ↑ "NG Alphas: Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (40): 81. April 1998. 
  4. ↑ Sullivan, Ben (May 14, 1999). "THQ, NOVALOGIC MAKE STRONG SHOWING". Archived from the original on March 22, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160322081203/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/THQ%2c+NOVALOGIC+MAKE+STRONG+SHOWING.-a083611458. Retrieved August 11, 2021. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling for PC". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190521203146/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/196827-brunswick-circuit-pro-bowling/index.html. Retrieved February 23, 2021. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling for PlayStation". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190521203531/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196828-brunswick-circuit-pro-bowling/index.html. Retrieved February 23, 2021. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Baise, Anthony. "Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling (N64) - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141115021527/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=19916&tab=review. Retrieved February 23, 2021. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 House, Michael L.. "Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling (PC) - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141115161910/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=13259&tab=review. Retrieved February 23, 2021. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Falcon, Jonah (November 23, 1998). "Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling". Strategy Plus, Inc.. Archived from the original on June 27, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20030627155624/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/015/146/brunswick_bowling_review.html. Retrieved February 23, 2021. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 May, Scott A. (April 1999). "It's a Strike!". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (177): 206. http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_177.pdf. Retrieved February 23, 2021. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 Grant, Jules (June 24, 1998). "Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling (PS)". Greedy Productions. Archived from the original on November 14, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20031114014306/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=25&full=1#mr_toppy. Retrieved February 23, 2021. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Fitzloff, Jay (January 2000). "Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling (N64)". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (81). Archived from the original on May 31, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000531151953/http://gameinformer.com/reviews/review_detail.cfm?ITEM_ID=4808. Retrieved February 23, 2021. 
  13. ↑ "Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling (PS)". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (67): 82. November 1998. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Higgins, Geoff "El Nino"; Rodriguez, Tyrone "Cerberus" (February 2000). "Brunswick [Circuit Pro Bowling (N64)"]. GameFan (Shinno Media) 8 (2): 68. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_8_Issue_02/page/n69/mode/2up. Retrieved February 23, 2021. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Air Hendrix (November 1998). "Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling Review for PlayStation on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG Entertainment) (122). Archived from the original on July 2, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040702093043/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/294.shtml. Retrieved February 23, 2021. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 Gerstmann, Jeff (November 2, 1998). "Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling Review (PC)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/brunswick-circuit-pro-bowling-review/1900-2538233/. Retrieved February 23, 2021. 
  17. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (October 8, 1998). "Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling Review (PS)". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/brunswick-circuit-pro-bowling-review/1900-2546884/. Retrieved February 23, 2021. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 Shea, Cam (January 1999). "Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling". Hyper (63). https://archive.org/details/hyper-063/page/88/mode/2up?q=%22Brunswick+Circuit+Pro+Bowling%22. Retrieved July 30, 2021. 
  19. ↑ Boulding, Aaron (January 21, 2000). "Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling (N64)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/01/22/brunswick-circuit-pro-bowling-3. Retrieved February 23, 2021. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 Blevins, Tal (October 13, 1998). "Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling (PC)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/10/14/brunswick-circuit-pro-bowling-4. Retrieved February 23, 2021. 
  21. ↑ Harris, Craig (October 2, 1998). "Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling (PS)". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/10/03/brunswick-circuit-pro-bowling-5. Retrieved February 23, 2021. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 "Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling (PS)". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (48): 128. December 1998. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_48/page/n129/mode/2up. Retrieved February 23, 2021. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling". Nintendo Power 130. March 2000. https://archive.org/details/nintendo-power-issue-130-march-2000/page/n131/mode/2up?q=%22Brunswick+Circuit+Pro+Bowling%22. Retrieved July 30, 2021. 
  24. ↑ "Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) 2 (2). November 1998. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 25.5 25.6 Durham Jr., Joel (January 1999). "Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling". PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 6 (1). Archived from the original on March 3, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000303025937/http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/24.html. Retrieved February 23, 2021. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Vaughan, Craig (February 1999). "Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling". PC Zone (73). https://archive.org/details/PC_Zone_Issue_073_1999-02_Dennis_Publishing_GB/page/n89/mode/2up?q=%22Brunswick+Circuit+Pro+Bowling%22. Retrieved July 30, 2021. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Sargent, Tom (February 1999). "Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling". Play (45). https://archive.org/details/play-045/page/n61/mode/2up?q=%22Brunswick+Circuit+Pro+Bowling%22. Retrieved August 3, 2021. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 Adam, Arthur; Narayan (April 2000). "Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling". N64 Gamer (26). https://archive.org/details/N64_Gamer_Issue_26_2000_04_Next_Publishing_AU_a/page/n41/mode/2up?q=%22Brunswick+Circuit+Pro+Bowling%22. Retrieved July 30, 2021. 
  29. ↑ Rich (March 1999). "Brunswick Pro Bowling". Playstation Plus (42). https://archive.org/details/playstation-plus-42/page/88/mode/2up?q=. Retrieved 5 August 2021. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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