*************************************************************************** Nester's Funky Bowling for Virtual Boy FAQ by BHodges Version 1.0 Created 11/06/02 This document Copyright 2002 by Brian Hodges. This FAQ is not to be posted without explicit permission by me. *************************************************************************** Table of Contents I. Introduction II. Adjusting the Virtual Boy III. Automatic Pause IV. Background Story and Useless Trivia V. Starting the Game VI. Controls VII. Mode Descriptions VIII. Bowling Basics IX. General Strategies X. My Best Scores XI. Game Review XII. Version History XIII. Contact Information *************************************************************************** I. Introduction This is a FAQ for the Virtual Boy game Nester's Funky Bowling. It contains a list of controls, some game strategies, and a mini-review. *************************************************************************** II. Adjusting the Virtual Boy If you have never used a Virtual Boy before, here is how to adjust the screen. On the screen that says 'Virtual Boy' and has squares in the corners, turn the dial on top until you can see all four squares. Then use the sliding bar until the screen is in focus. *************************************************************************** III. Automatic Pause If you turn this on, the game will automatically pause after 20 minutes and remind you to take a break. *************************************************************************** IV. Background Story and Useless Trivia --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Introducion from instruction book A long time ago, a spunky little boy named Nester ruled the pages of Nintendo Power magazine's comic section. Conceited as ever, Nester is breaking into the new genre of video games with the first 3D bowling game. Shine your shoes and buff your ball--you're going bowling! Nester and his twin sister, Hester, treat you to a fantastic game of knock-the-pins-down. This 3D bowling experience is fast paced and red hot. Both bowlers are competitive and very involved in their games. You'll agree as you witness some of their Funky expressions. Are you up to the challenge? --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nester & Hester Nester Nester is a conceited video game player and a notorious smart aleck. Years ago, he finagle his way to comic stardom in the pages of Nintendo Power magazine. After a glorious run of forty-something issues, Nester called it quits. He wanted to prove that he wasn't just another comic hero. He spent the last couple of years as a struggling actor before coming back to his bread and butter, VIDEO GAMES. Hester You thought Nester was bad? You should get a load of his over-confident twin sister, Hester. A whopping three minutes older than Nester, Hester is sure that she is superior to her little brother in every way. Deep down, Hester has always believed that she could have been a bigger star than Nester. Well, she finally has a chance to prove herself. Will you help Hester, or will you help Nester? --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Some Useless Trivia - The name Nester is derived from "NES Master". - This game is the only place that Hester is ever mentioned. - This is Nester's first video game. His only other video game appearance is as the pilot "Lark" in Pilotwings 64. - Nester's Funky Bowling is one of only two Virtual Boy games that were released in the US in 1996 ( the "2nd generation" of VB games). - The instruction book claims this is the first 3D bowling game, but Virtual Bowling (NOT a Japanese version of NFB) was released for the VB in 1995. *************************************************************************** V. Starting the Game At the title screen press start. You will be taken to the Options Screen. Here you can select the number of players, the type of game you want to play, and the music. You choose these with the left control pad. Press start when are done. You will then be taken to the Configure Screen. Here you will enter your name, select which character you want to play as, the weight of the ball, and which hand to use. Use the left control pad to enter your name. Press select to move down to character selection. Use the left control pad to highlight the character you want to use. Then press select again. Use up and down on the control pad to choose the weight and left and right to choose the hand. Press start when you are done. *************************************************************************** VI. Controls Left control pad Move your bowler A button Stop bowling meter Start Pause Select Bring up adjustment screen To roll the ball press A to stop the spin meter. This meter determines how much the ball will curve to the left or the right. The next meter is the power meter. Press A to stop it. The fuller the meter, the more powerful the throw. *************************************************************************** VII. Mode Descriptions --------------------------------------------------------------------------- One or Two Players All three game modes can be played by one or two players. In two player mode you can each be a different character or the same one. Players will alternate turns. Be sure to press select and re-adjust the Virtual Boy after switching. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bowl Regular bowling. You play a standard game of ten frames. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Practice You can set up the pins any way you like. You will have three rolls, then you can set them up again. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Challenge The pins are set up in increasingly difficult positions. You get one chance to knock down all the pins. You only get points for knocking down all the pins. The more difficult the shot, the more points it is worth. The pin placements are randomly generated, but the last shot will always be a 7-10 split. Here are point values for each shot. Shot 1: 10 points Shot 2: 10 points Shot 3: 20 points Shot 4: 20 points Shot 5: 20 points Shot 6: 30 points Shot 7: 30 points Shot 8: 50 points Shot 9: 50 points Shot 10: 60 points *************************************************************************** VIII. Bowling Basics A game of bowling is made up of 10 frames. For each frame there will be 10 pins. You get two rolls each frame to knock down as many pins as possible. Knocking down all ten pins on your first throw is called a strike. Knocking down all ten pins in two throws is called a spare. Each pin is worth one point. If you roll a spare your score for that frame will be 10 plus the number of pins you knock down on your next roll. If you roll a strike, your score for that frame will be 10 plus the number of pins you knock down on your next two rolls. In the tenth frame you will get an extra throw and pins if you roll a strike or a spare. *************************************************************************** IX. General Strategies --------------------------------------------------------------------------- As far as I can tell, there is no difference between Nester and Hester's bowling abilities. The weight of the ball effects the power and curve of the roll. A heavier ball will hit the pins harder, but will curve less. The hand you use is a matter of personal preference. A right-handed bowler's roll will curve easier to the left and a lefty's will curve easier to the right. Switching hands will change gameplay and adds variety. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- My Recommendation Here is what works best for me: Choose a right-handed bowler and a 10 pound ball. Position Nester so that his left elbow is directly over the small dot on the right of the big one. Then press A when the spin meter is in between the third and second diamond from the left. Then try to stop the power meter as close to the top as possible. For me, this will usually result in a strike. *************************************************************************** X. My Best Scores BOWL: 230 CHALLENGE: 190 *************************************************************************** XI. Game Review This is an average game, it doesn't have any real good or bad points that make it stand out. If you don't like bowling you should probably avoid this game. If you are a bowling fan and can find a copy for under $20, you should give it a try. Pros - The game has a two player mode. - This is a good game to play if you want to play a short game. - The more you play it, the more you'll like it. Cons - Playing with two people on the same Virtual Boy can be awkward. - No tournament mode or computer controlled opponents of any kind. - The game doesn't save your high scores. *************************************************************************** XII. Version History 1.0 11/06/02 Created FAQ *************************************************************************** XIII. Contact Information You can contact me at Bhodges080@aol.com I would appreciate hearing what you thought of this guide and any thoughts you have for improving it. Be sure to let me know if I have missed anything. *************************************************************************** End