Bandai Pro Bowler

Summary

Like many video games of this time, the Pro Bowler is a (leisure) sports simulation. But it’s not a video game, because it lacks a screen display that players can interact with, but nevertheless it reminds of similar, larger bowling arcade equipment in terms of its construction.

The Pro Bowler consists of a bowling figurine, a bowling lane and an indicator located at the end of the track. By means of a switch, the ball is rolled over the track, whereby the character moves mechanically. Based on the numerical display and the ten LED lights, it is possible to understand how many pins were hit. At the same time, the result of the turn is accompanied by electronic noises.

The German version appears under the name Bowling. The German-language sticker on the Japanese packaging of the exhibit indicates that it was an exhibit at a trade fair.