Nester's Funky Bowling
Encyclopedia
Nester's Funky Bowling is a bowling
video game developed by Saffire Corporation and published by Nintendo
for the Virtual Boy
handheld game console
. It was only released in North America on February 26, 1996. Players control Nester, a character from the Nintendo Power
comics, or his twin sister Hester, as they compete to see who is superior. It features standard bowling mechanics and rules, encouraging players to get 300 pins. It has three modes of play - Bowling, Challenge, and Practice, all three supporting one or two players.
It has received generally mixed reception; while some found it to be a poor or average game, such as IGN
and GamePro
, others were more forgiving, toting it as a quality game compared to other titles in the Virtual Boy library, such as Nintendo Power
and Allgame
. Its graphics received some recognition, though it was faulted for its lack of a save function and lack of game modes. Tips & Tricks
gave it a five out of 10 in terms of rarity.
Nester's Funky Bowling was developed by Saffire Corporation and published by Nintendo
for the Virtual Boy
handheld game console
. It was released exclusively in North America on February 26, 1996. Players control Nester, a character from the Nintendo Power
magazine's comic section, or his twin sister Hester, as they attempt to prove their superiority over one another. It features red and black visuals, as well as stereoscopic 3D, both trademarks of the Virtual Boy. There are four ranks that are achieved based on their score, which is based on normal bowling rules - the ranks are Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Pro. Players may adjust their character in order to hit it how they like, such as using pins ricocheting or bouncing in order to knock more down.
There are three modes of play, all of which can be played by one or two players. These include Bowling, Challenge, and Practice. In Bowling, players play a standard game of bowling. In Challenge, players must knock down all of the pins that appear with only once chance to do so as the pin set-ups become increasingly difficult. Players are given more points for knocking all of the pins down depending on the difficulty of the shot. In Practice, players may choose from 28 different pin variations. When playing with another player, players pass the Virtual Boy back and forth in between turns.
. Nintendo Life's Dave Frear called it a decent game due in part to the two player mode; however, he criticized its lack of a save function or additional game modes. IGN
's Craig Harris noted it as a 3D game that Nintendo hoped gamers would purchase, but ultimately didn't. Fellow IGN writer Lucas M. Thomas called it a "stinker". GameSpy
's Luke McKinney commented that the Virtual Boy's library consisting of "almost five percent" bowling games was a poor decision. Allgame
's Scott Alan Marriott called it a fun game for the Virtual Boy, praising the graphics but bemoaning the lack of replay value due to few modes of play and no save function. The Daily Gazettes Tony Brusgul suggested players looking for a bowling game play it on a different system, citing the eye pain incurred from playing.
GamePro
called it "challenging and fun at first", but found that it wore off over time. They felt that the graphics improved the game, though adding that it became repetitive over time. In their preview, Nintendo Power
commented that while it may seem like it would take liberties with the game, it stays true to the gameplay. Their review praised it for its gameplay, calling it "solid", as well as its modes of play; however, they criticized the two player mechanic, calling the method awkward. It was an editor's pick for Nintendo Power editors Scott, Dan, and Henry. They named it one of the top games released for the platform. Joystiq
's Eric Caoili bemoaned that Nester's Funky Bowling was only released on the Virtual Boy. Wired
's Chris Kohler commented that Nester's Funky Bowling had become more valuable over time. Tips & Tricks
ranked it a five out of 10 in terms of rarity. Official Nintendo Magazine called it an average bowling game.
Bowling
Bowling Bowling Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule...
video game developed by Saffire Corporation and published by Nintendo
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
for the Virtual Boy
Virtual Boy
The was a video game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was the first video game console that was supposed to be capable of displaying "true 3D graphics" out of the box. Whereas most video games use monocular cues to achieve the illusion of three dimensions on a two-dimensional...
handheld game console
Handheld game console
A handheld game console is a lightweight, portable electronic device with a built-in screen, game controls and speakers. Handheld game consoles are run on machines of small size allowing people to carry them and play them at any time or place...
. It was only released in North America on February 26, 1996. Players control Nester, a character from the Nintendo Power
Nintendo Power
Nintendo Power magazine is a monthly news and strategy magazine formerly published in-house by Nintendo of America, but now run independently. As of issue #222 , Nintendo contracted publishing duties to Future US, the U.S. subsidiary of British publisher Future.The first issue published was...
comics, or his twin sister Hester, as they compete to see who is superior. It features standard bowling mechanics and rules, encouraging players to get 300 pins. It has three modes of play - Bowling, Challenge, and Practice, all three supporting one or two players.
It has received generally mixed reception; while some found it to be a poor or average game, such as IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
and GamePro
GamePro
GamePro Media was a United States gaming media company publishing online and print content on the video game industry, video game hardware, and video game software developed for a video game console , a computer, and/or a mobile device . GamePro Media properties include GamePro magazine and...
, others were more forgiving, toting it as a quality game compared to other titles in the Virtual Boy library, such as Nintendo Power
Nintendo Power
Nintendo Power magazine is a monthly news and strategy magazine formerly published in-house by Nintendo of America, but now run independently. As of issue #222 , Nintendo contracted publishing duties to Future US, the U.S. subsidiary of British publisher Future.The first issue published was...
and Allgame
Allgame
Allgame is a commercial database of information about arcade games, video games and console manufacturers.Allgame is owned by All Media Guide, along with Allmusic and Allmovie....
. Its graphics received some recognition, though it was faulted for its lack of a save function and lack of game modes. Tips & Tricks
Tips & Tricks
Tips & Tricks is an American video game magazine published by Larry Flynt Publications . For most of its existence, the publication was devoted almost exclusively to strategies and codes for popular video games...
gave it a five out of 10 in terms of rarity.
Overview
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
for the Virtual Boy
Virtual Boy
The was a video game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was the first video game console that was supposed to be capable of displaying "true 3D graphics" out of the box. Whereas most video games use monocular cues to achieve the illusion of three dimensions on a two-dimensional...
handheld game console
Handheld game console
A handheld game console is a lightweight, portable electronic device with a built-in screen, game controls and speakers. Handheld game consoles are run on machines of small size allowing people to carry them and play them at any time or place...
. It was released exclusively in North America on February 26, 1996. Players control Nester, a character from the Nintendo Power
Nintendo Power
Nintendo Power magazine is a monthly news and strategy magazine formerly published in-house by Nintendo of America, but now run independently. As of issue #222 , Nintendo contracted publishing duties to Future US, the U.S. subsidiary of British publisher Future.The first issue published was...
magazine's comic section, or his twin sister Hester, as they attempt to prove their superiority over one another. It features red and black visuals, as well as stereoscopic 3D, both trademarks of the Virtual Boy. There are four ranks that are achieved based on their score, which is based on normal bowling rules - the ranks are Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Pro. Players may adjust their character in order to hit it how they like, such as using pins ricocheting or bouncing in order to knock more down.
There are three modes of play, all of which can be played by one or two players. These include Bowling, Challenge, and Practice. In Bowling, players play a standard game of bowling. In Challenge, players must knock down all of the pins that appear with only once chance to do so as the pin set-ups become increasingly difficult. Players are given more points for knocking all of the pins down depending on the difficulty of the shot. In Practice, players may choose from 28 different pin variations. When playing with another player, players pass the Virtual Boy back and forth in between turns.
Reception
It has received generally mixed reception. Author Andy Slaven noted it as the quintessential bowling game for the Virtual BoyVirtual Boy
The was a video game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was the first video game console that was supposed to be capable of displaying "true 3D graphics" out of the box. Whereas most video games use monocular cues to achieve the illusion of three dimensions on a two-dimensional...
. Nintendo Life's Dave Frear called it a decent game due in part to the two player mode; however, he criticized its lack of a save function or additional game modes. IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
's Craig Harris noted it as a 3D game that Nintendo hoped gamers would purchase, but ultimately didn't. Fellow IGN writer Lucas M. Thomas called it a "stinker". GameSpy
GameSpy
GameSpy Industries, Inc., known simply as GameSpy, is a division of IGN Entertainment, which operates a network of game websites and provides online video game-related services and software. GameSpy dates back to the 1996 release of an internet Quake server search program named QSpy. The current...
's Luke McKinney commented that the Virtual Boy's library consisting of "almost five percent" bowling games was a poor decision. Allgame
Allgame
Allgame is a commercial database of information about arcade games, video games and console manufacturers.Allgame is owned by All Media Guide, along with Allmusic and Allmovie....
's Scott Alan Marriott called it a fun game for the Virtual Boy, praising the graphics but bemoaning the lack of replay value due to few modes of play and no save function. The Daily Gazettes Tony Brusgul suggested players looking for a bowling game play it on a different system, citing the eye pain incurred from playing.
GamePro
GamePro
GamePro Media was a United States gaming media company publishing online and print content on the video game industry, video game hardware, and video game software developed for a video game console , a computer, and/or a mobile device . GamePro Media properties include GamePro magazine and...
called it "challenging and fun at first", but found that it wore off over time. They felt that the graphics improved the game, though adding that it became repetitive over time. In their preview, Nintendo Power
Nintendo Power
Nintendo Power magazine is a monthly news and strategy magazine formerly published in-house by Nintendo of America, but now run independently. As of issue #222 , Nintendo contracted publishing duties to Future US, the U.S. subsidiary of British publisher Future.The first issue published was...
commented that while it may seem like it would take liberties with the game, it stays true to the gameplay. Their review praised it for its gameplay, calling it "solid", as well as its modes of play; however, they criticized the two player mechanic, calling the method awkward. It was an editor's pick for Nintendo Power editors Scott, Dan, and Henry. They named it one of the top games released for the platform. Joystiq
Joystiq
Joystiq is a video gaming blog founded in June 2004 that has since become one of the most successful sites within the Weblogs, Inc. family of weblogs. It is the centerpiece of WIN's own network of video gaming blogs, which also includes a blog dealing specifically with the popular MMORPG World of...
's Eric Caoili bemoaned that Nester's Funky Bowling was only released on the Virtual Boy. Wired
Wired (magazine)
Wired is a full-color monthly American magazine and on-line periodical, published since January 1993, that reports on how new and developing technology affects culture, the economy, and politics...
's Chris Kohler commented that Nester's Funky Bowling had become more valuable over time. Tips & Tricks
Tips & Tricks
Tips & Tricks is an American video game magazine published by Larry Flynt Publications . For most of its existence, the publication was devoted almost exclusively to strategies and codes for popular video games...
ranked it a five out of 10 in terms of rarity. Official Nintendo Magazine called it an average bowling game.