I wanted to say that Ten pin alley is the best game so far for any 
game system or computer. However there are several concepts missing
which make bowling in real life different from the computer game. (Note
that there hasent been a computer or console game that actually captured
these vital components of bowling, and sad to say, includes this game.)

Some of my credentials are as follows. I've been bowling for 20 years. I
have bowled in leagues in 4 different bowling associations, at least 20
different centers in those associations. I have been PBA Eastern regional 
member for 7 years, and have claimed 1 regional title. I have bowled with 
the best bowlers in the country such as Bob Learn Jr, Pete Weber, Bob 
Spalding, and the rest of the Eastern Regional bowlers (yes, I think the 
Eastern region is the best). My highest series is 847 and have bowled a 
few 800 series and 300 games. My highest ABC sanctioned averages in a 
season are as follows: with plastic balls was 226, Urethane 228 and 
resin 233. I am proud to say on Feb 23, 1994 I anchored the 
Hurst Bowling team which shot the 3 man team world series record of
3868, beating the 1958 Budwiser team record score of 3858. (We still 
currently hold that record)

The Good:

Very good graphics, the best of any bowling game to date (consoles),
realistic pin action (very well done, most realistic i've seen), 
realistic ball movement between the different kinds of balls (plastic 
skids further than Urethane or Resin, also done well). Realistic sounds 
just about cover everything that goes on in a bowling  (except cursing). 
The only thing missing is pot games and beer.

The Bad:

About the game, the key ingredient to bowling which all programer's cant
seem to simulate is lane conditions and ball reaction to those conditions.
(Scratch level bowlers will agree with me). This is the largest part of 
bowling and the ability to adapts to these conditions is what seperates 
a pro from an amature. Every bowling center in the country conditions 
(oils) its lanes, each center is different because of different lane 
surfaces, lane oils, and the way the oil is placed onto the lanes.
Once the conditioning is done, it remains on the lanes till bowling
starts, depending  how much oil, where its placed, and the type of bowlers 
bowling, equipment (balls), determines how the oils are either absorbed or 
moved around the lane surface. This is where Ten Pin Alley lacks. There is 
usually some area on a lane where you can throw your ball to give you 
higher scoring than in other parts of the lane (creating an area for 
higher scoring and more forgiving on you as accuracy is concerned).

The controls in Ten Pin kill the game. Sorry, real bowling is not this
touchy. The controls are too touchy which cause you to be inconsistant 
enough that it makes you want to give up playing. In the real sport of 
bowling, you can have minor differences in arm swing, ball speed, and 
spin and still give you a respectable result on the lane, in Ten Pin
Alley, if you are off a little, you can release the ball in the air, in
the gutter, or so far off your target giving you a couple pins. 

Another concept missing is in tournament or league play, lanes are
conditioned to hook more towards the outside part of the lane than the 
inside part. In real life, depending on the amount of hook you want, 
you take a resin or urethane ball and throw it to the outside part of 
lane to get it to react (hook), if you want to throw less hook, you
would release the ball towards the inside part of the lane. Of course
this is house dependant, but generally most tornaments or leagues are 
conditioned this way.

In Ten Pin alley, you can score better if you throw a straight ball, in
real life, its the total opposite. You need a good amount of spin (roll 
or hook) on the ball to be effective and  score higher. Sorry, straight 
balls dont outscore hook players, if this was true, the PBA tour would 
consist of all straightballers.

The End:

Overall, I would like Ten Pin alley programers to talk to PBA tour
members and league bowlers for their input. They need alot of improvement 
in the game play of bowling. Even though Ten Pin Alley fails to capture 
the sport of bowling, its still alot of fun to play, especially with 2 
or more people. I give it 3 stars out of 5

-Brian Snear-
Biggun@prolog.net