RocketBowl

This finely tuned program puts a number of cool spins on traditional bowling, making for an addictive and highly enjoyable experience. RocketBowl strikes us as bowling meets The Jetsons, as it mixes elements of the space age with those of the 1950s. You bowl not on a traditional course but on a 3D landscape filled with hills, water, and other obstacles. RocketBowl is scored like traditional bowling, although you get three balls to knock over all the pins. Toppling a green pin will net you cash, which you then use to purchase the rocket-fueled balls from which the game takes its name. Once you have a fat wallet, you also can enter tournaments or bet against computer opponents to earn more money.

We have no complaints with this program's polished graphics, and the upbeat jazz-tinged soundtrack fits the mood perfectly. RocketBowl lets you play in window mode, adjust the volume, and optimize the game for better graphics or increased performance. Our main complaints have to do with game-load times, which can be a bit long due to the high-quality graphics. Also, since we had such a ball with this prgram, we'd like the option to roll for more than an hour before having to register the game. Still, we think this game will be loads of fun for folks of all ages.