League Bowling is SNK's attempt at making a bowling game for the Neo Geo. Unlike other SNK sports attempts on the console, the basic gameplay of the sport hasn't been altered in favor of more arcade gameplay.
The game is played with 2D graphics, although the behind and above the player viewpoint gives the bowling lane a pseudo 3D look. The screen is divided into two halves down the middle, with a bowling lane on each side. Up to two players can bowl simultaneously on the two lanes, or up to four players can bowl by switching off controls.
When the game begins players are given a choice of three game types: regular, strike 90, and flash. All three games play the same way; the only difference is in the scoring system. After the game type choice players then choose the weight of their bowling ball from between eight and fifteen pounders. Then players choose whether their bowler is right or left handed. After that the bowling action commences.
Bowlers must roll their bowling ball down the lane in an attempt to strike down ten pins arranged in a triangular fasion. Each bowling game has ten frames in which players must strike down the pins. Each frame gives players two chances to knock the pins down. If the bowler can knock all ten pins down in two attempts that's a spare. However, if the bowler manages to knock all ten pins down in one shot that's a strike. On either side of the lane are two gutters; if the ball rolls into the gutter it's a guaranteed miss. Players of League Bowling first choose their release angle for the ball, then the power with which the ball is released. During the course of the ball roll moving the joystick can make very minute course changes.