Bowling 2600 box art

Atari 2600 · Sports

Bowling

Deep cut

SystemAtari 2600
Released1978
GenreSports
DeveloperAtari
PublisherAtari
Players1–2 players
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 1

Released for the Atari 2600 in 1978, Bowling is a sports game developed by Atari.

It came out in the 2600's second year on the market. Other notable 2600 releases from 1978 include Superman, Basketball and Canyon Bomber.

Atari also made E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Combat and Asteroids for the 2600.

Bowling supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.

Pick it if…

  • you want to race and compete
  • you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
  • you have a friend to play against
  • you've played the 2600 hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you need current teams and rosters

What playing Bowling is like

Sports games bring football, baseball, hockey, golf, tennis, wrestling and more to the console, from simulation-style management to over-the-top arcade action.

Tip for newcomers: Arcade-style sports games are the easiest to enjoy today; simulation titles may have outdated rosters but still offer satisfying gameplay.

Bowling gameplay screenshot on 2600
In-game screenshot (2600)

Bowling walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Bowling.

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Playing 2600 games today

Most 2600 games are built for short, score-chasing sessions, which makes them perfect for a quick nostalgia hit. Original hardware is cheap and plentiful, the Atari 2600+ reissue plays original cartridges on modern TVs, and official collections such as Atari 50 bundle many first-party classics.

Bowling FAQ

When did Bowling come out on the 2600?

Bowling was released for the Atari 2600 in 1978.

Who made Bowling?

It was developed by Atari.

Is Bowling multiplayer?

Yes. Bowling supports up to 2 players.

How long does Bowling take to play?

As a sports game, Bowling typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about Bowling on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

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