The latest edition in the PBA Pro Bowling series (PBA Pro Bowling 2026) quietly released on Xbox last week, and it just so happens that it's been getting excellent reviews - "Very Positive" on Steam based on almost 100 reviews (97% of which are positive) and a 4.6/5 rating on the Xbox Store based on 37 reviews (78% of which are five stars).

That kind of bowled us over (thank you), so we had to figure out what all the praise was about. It turns out that PBA Pro Bowling 2026 features realistic physics, a simplistic but enjoyable career mode, plenty of room for strategising and even a decent character creator.

Here are just a few example reviews we've come across on Steam and Xbox:

TarzanTheGreat on Steam: "As someone who has bowled on these PBA patterns often and an aspiring PBA Regional bowler, these are the best bowling physics in a video game. And the selection of pros who did their own motion capturing adds a nice touch to the game, especially those who had not appeared in previous PBA Pro Bowling games."

ChiChi301 on Steam: "As a district bowler, transitioning from real life to the game feels surprisingly good. The mechanics capture a lot of what makes bowling enjoyable, and once you understand how the system works, shots begin to feel rewarding and skill based rather than random. There is definitely a learning curve, especially when it comes to the controls."

FIGJAM 300 on Xbox: "This game is about as close as you can get to realistic PBA gameplay. The amount of equipment choices is amazing. They even threw in duckpin and candlepin bowling, which is a fun little change from just doing regular tenpin. Having to figure out the right ball for the oil pattern is a great challenge. Very impressed so far."

Snorlaxative741 on Xbox: "As a high-level sight-impaired UK bowler, this game meets every expectation. From ball reaction and roll, to lane transition and competitive AI; if you love bowling, you're going to love this game! I can translate my real bowling style to the game and get the same reaction and ball motion; and it's fantastic!"

It's not all positive, of course - some have pointed out that the graphics look dodgy, the multiplayer component is a bit underbaked, the learning curve is very steep, and that the price of £33.49 / $39.99 is perhaps a bit too high.

The folks at Eurogamer also mentioned how it feels "cheap", and yet they're still impressed by it:

"Being honest, it does all feel quite cheap and of a bygone era. But it's also earnest and lovely. One also has to be realistic - this is a video game simulation of a sport that is in and of itself struggling, with leagues shrinking and centres forgoing regular custom to chase once-a-year visitors who buy a lot of drinks. Thereby this game's audience is limited, and so its budget must also be limited. I think what has been accomplished with that budget is quite impressive - and certainly full of a glowing love for this unique little sport."

We don't know about you, but we're intrigued by this one! We might have to polish up our bowling shoes and hit the lanes to see what it's all about — credit to FarSight Studios for delivering a game that people are clearly enjoying on Xbox and beyond.

Rise from amateur to PBA legend in the most realistic bowling simulation ever made, featuring advanced physics, realistic oil pattern transition, licensed PBA pros, deep career progression, and multiple competitive game modes.egend in the most realistic bowling simulation ever made, featuring advanced physics, realistic oil pattern transition, licensed PBA pros, deep career progression, and multiple competitive game modes.

Any interest in PBA Bowling 2026 on Xbox? Tell us down in the comments section below.

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