What are the best bowling games? From Homer Simpson to the Big Lebowski, we all love bowling games. With our picks for the best bowling games, there's something for everyone to land a strike. Whether you want to take it to the big leagues or if you'd prefer to try out some crazy lanes in monkey ball, we've included games to suit all playstyles and ages, so all you need to do is work on your technique.
If you enjoy your ball sports, be sure to check out our picks for the best tennis games and football games you can play on handheld devices like the Switch and mobile.
Here's our list of the best bowling games:
My Bowling 3D
If you're looking for a satisfying bowling game that feels as close to the real thing as you can get on mobile, My Bowling 3D is a strike. Developed by iWare Designs, it offers an impressively realistic experience with fully textured environments and proper 3D physics, so every curve, spin, and collision has real weight behind it.
If you just want to mess around and have fun, the drag-and-swipe controls make it super easy to jump in and roll a few frames. But if you're a bit of a perfectionist (like me), the game gives you loads of control: you can tweak your stance, aim with precision, and shape each shot by adjusting spin and direction. It's surprisingly meditative!
Whether you're after a chill, low-stakes way to wind down or a deeper, more strategic simulation of ten-pin bowling, this game delivers. And it doesn't hurt that the visuals and ball physics are some of the best I've seen on mobile.
Nintendo Switch Sports
Bowling is back in Nintendo Switch Sports, and better than ever. With online tournaments, a host of different challenge modes, plus the classic local multiplayer mode for handing out some whoopings to your friends and family, there's more than enough here to keep you on the ball.
Just watch out for grandma- they've still got Wii Sports at the old people's homes, you know. To learn more about the game, go read our Nintendo Switch Sports review.
Desktop Bowling
Another title out of the Desktop sports series, as seen in our lists of volleyball games and rugby games, Desktop Bowling is the sport most suited to a bite-sized version.
With themed lanes that range from prehistoric, through feudal Japan, and into the modern-day, a slew of thrilling minigames, plus a range of kooky customization options, it's definitely one of the more odd-ball bowling games, but it's also one of the most fun.
Date Night Bowling
If you're having more problems romancing a lover to take down the lanes than you are searching for a strike, then Date Night Bowling might be right up your alley.
As you can probably guess from the title, Date Night Bowling mixes a nostalgia-laden bowling sim with a dating game, putting not only your throwing skills to the test but your flirting skills too. So pick a lane, pick a partner, and prepare your best pickup line, because nobody wants to make it to 300 alone.
Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics
Clubhouse Games promises classics and delivers, with a bowling sim fit for any party night. While there's not quite the level of customization options as found in some other titles from this list, you'll be hard-pushed to find a bowling game with tighter controls, allowing for some real skill when aiming for a strike or a spare.
It's also the only game on this list with another 50 minigames included, so you can't say much about that kind of value.
Bowling Ballers
If you like bowling but want something a little different, and doesn't involve swiping your finger constantly, we recommend Bowling Ballers. It's available on Netflix Games on iOS and Android.
It's an endless runner game, but this time, you want to smash into objects and break them down instead of avoiding them. You can also fly and skateboard, too.
Bowling King
For competitive bowling on the go, there's no better title than Bowling King. With a ranked online mode putting you against the best ball handlers in your bracket, intuitive controls that account for skill and strategy, plus a heap of balls, each with their own abilities and strengths, there's a surprising amount of depth and playability for a free-to-play title.
It's one of the most played bowling games on mobile too, so you'll have no problem finding some challengers to face on the lanes.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania
While the adventure mode doesn't quite match up to the GameCube glory years, Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania still delivers with its minigames, and bowling is no different.
Whether you want to play a classic game with your primate pals or mix things up with some customization options like crazy lanes and 100-pin bowling, it's one of the best ways to spend a night bowling with friends without heading down to the alley. Read our Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania review.