Bowling/Micro Match is a video game in the puzzle genre and published by APF Electronics, Inc. originally released in 1978. It is currently playable on APF Imagination Machine.
Bowling on the APF Imagination Machine places the player on a straight, television-style alley with a rack of pins at the far end. The action is controlled turn by turn: the player selects a throw direction and timing, then releases the ball to roll along the lane toward the pin formation. The game returns immediate results as the ball travels, showing which pins are struck and knocked down. Remaining pins are marked and the score for the frame is updated automatically, with the on-screen scoring display tracking strikes, spares, and regular knockdowns as play continues through the full match sequence.
The bowler’s challenge lies in controlling the ball’s line. Aiming is presented as a directional guide across the lane, while the release determines where the ball lands relative to the pin rack. Timing affects whether the ball carries enough energy to spread and topple pins, or glances off into partial clears. Between throws, the game briefly resets the lane view so the next attempt begins with the correct remaining-pin status. Fast, repeatable rounds encourage trying different approaches—center hits for solid clears and angled shots to target stubborn pins at the edges of the rack.
Micro Match offers a different sort of test, using short rounds built around quick observation and memory. The screen presents a field of concealed icons or symbols arranged in a grid. The player selects one position to reveal its image, then selects a second position. If the two revealed symbols match, the pair remains visible and the score increases; mismatches are concealed again, and the player must try again. Rounds typically run until a set number of matches is made or the time window ends, emphasizing rapid decisions rather than long deliberation.
Visually, both games use the APF’s clear, high-contrast graphics—simple lane shapes, bright pin indicators, and blocky symbol tiles against a dark background. Bowling focuses on straightforward motion: a moving ball graphic and pin-state changes that are easy to read at a glance. Micro Match uses a clean grid layout with crisp icon silhouettes, making differences between symbols apparent during brief reveals.
Audio accompanies events with short tones and chimes tied to successful throws, pin impacts, matches found, and round transitions. The combination of simple visual feedback and audible cues keeps the pace brisk, letting players stay engaged between frames in Bowling and between reveals in Micro Match. With the two modes running in a single offering, the cartridge provides either a steady sports contest or an attention-and-memory challenge, offering quick sessions suited to hands-on play with the system’s controller.
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