Windows Phone Game Review: Finger Bowling

Bowling games on your Windows Phone may not be everyone's cup of tea but I've found them to be fun games to pass the time with. Finger Bowling is a relatively new bowling game for your Windows Phone that has potential but falls a little short of the mark.

Finger Bowling's main menu provides options to play the game, view the online leaderboard and read the instructions page.

The game has two game modes with three styles of games. The Practice Mode is a straight up game of bowling with three choices of styles. There is the normal style where the bowling lane is flat and level and the Tilted and Twisted styles that leans the lane in one direction or the other.

The Challenge Mode is a three part game where you face all three styles. You start out with Part One which is a game under normal conditions and then move to games with tilted and then twisted conditions.

While the different styles or conditions do add a bit of challenge to the game, Finger Bowling does have room for improvement with regards to game play in general. First, there is a slight lag in the graphics. You'll see the ball hit the pins and maybe half a second later, the pins react.  At first I thought it was my HTC Titan but I experienced the same results on the Samsung Focus S as well.

There is also an issue with your initial ball placement. Prior to rolling the ball, which is accomplished by swiping at the ball, most bowling games allow you to move the ball horizontally to better line up your shot. You do not have that ability with Finger Bowling. The game does randomly place your ball at the top of the lane but you lack the ability to adjust things to your liking. This does add an element of challenge to the game but one I think takes away from the game than adds to it.

Again, Finger Bowling has potential but there's still some work to be done. As is, Finger Bowling is alright but nothing to jump up and down about. It is a free, ad supported game so you won't be out anything for giving it a try. Tighten up the graphics and allow for the ball to be positioned for better aim and Finger Bowling will be a nice bowling game for your Windows Phone well worth a try.

You can find Finger Bowling here at the Windows Phone Marketplace.

George Ponder

George is the Reviews Editor at Windows Central, concentrating on Windows 10 PC and Mobile apps. He's been a supporter of the platform since the days of Windows CE and uses his current Windows 10 Mobile phone daily to keep up with life and enjoy a game during down time.