Rayman Bowling (Mobile)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 3.5 stars Very good
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 7.6 (3.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Damon Brown
• Reviewed on: 01/01/2004
• Updated on: 04/21/2004
• Originally published on GameSpot: Rayman Bowling (Mobile) Review

Rayman, French console developer Ubisoft's limbless action hero, may not be the first franchise character you'd pick to be a crack bowler--but it turns out that the spunky magical torso has rolled a strike this time around. RB's comical gameplay touches and cartoony graphics put a novel spin on an old genre, offering a good play for fans of the pine alleyway.

All the rules are the same as traditional bowling--10 rounds, splits, spares and strikes--and the 3D-esque viewpoint helps to maintain the real-life look of the game. The chief difference is that to progress to the next alley you have to reach a certain minimum score, like 120 points on the first stage.

Bowling itself is a multistep process. First, you choose where Rayman will be bowling from along the alley using the number keys 4 and 6 to move him left and right. Next, the game cycles through seven possible curves for your ball. Then a line moves back and forth from your position to determine the direction you are rolling. Finally, a power meter goes up and down to select your ball speed. It becomes intuitive rather quickly, especially if you've bowled in real life.

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