10th Frame

{{Short description|1986 video game}}

{{refimprove|date=October 2017}}

{{Infobox video game

|title = 10th Frame

| image = 10th frame Cover.jpg

| image_size = 256

|caption =

|developer = Access Software

|publisher = U.S. Gold

|released = {{Video game release|NA|1986}}

|genre = Sports

|modes = Single-player

|platforms = Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, MSX, ZX Spectrum

}}

10th Frame is a ten-pin bowling simulation game published by Access Software in 1986. Up to eight players can take part in open bowling or a tournament. It was released for the Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, IBM PC compatibles, MSX, and ZX Spectrum.

Gameplay

File:10th_Frame_Atari_ST_screenshot.png

The lane is viewed from behind the bowler, with the pins towards the top of the screen in a 3D perspective.{{Cite web|title = Test: Tenth Frame|url = http://www.zzap64.co.uk/cgi-bin/displaypage.pl?issue=022&page=130&thumbstart=0&magazine=zzap|website = ZZap! 64|access-date = February 21, 2016|date = February 1987|page = 130|series = Issue 22}}

The scorecard for the current player is displayed above the lane. The player can move left or right on the lane before starting the run-up by holding fire. A target cursor can be moved by pushing up and then moving it left or right (pressing down returned control to moving the onscreen player's position).

Once the fire button is held, a power meter similar to Leader Board{{'}}s is used. The speed of the shot is determined by how long the button is held down. A small zone at the top determines if the player makes an error, exaggerating any spin.

When the meter starts to descend on the right, it is stopped in the hook zone to determine how much hook/spin is applied—from straight at the top of the zone to full hook at the bottom. Play is completed after the usual ten frames and any bonus balls.

Players can print out a scorecard at the end of a match.

There is a choice of three difficulty levels: Kids (in which the ball always goes straight), Amateur, and Professional.

Reception

{{Video game reviews

| rev1 = C&VG

| rev1Score = 9/10{{Cite web|title = C+VG Reviews: 10th Frame|url = https://archive.org/stream/computer-video-games-magazine-065/CVG065_Mar_1987#page/n13/mode/2up|website = Computer and Video Games Magazine|access-date = February 21, 2016|series = Issue 65|pages = 14–15|date = March 1987}}

| rev2 = Zzap!64

| rev2Score = 85%

| rev3 = Your Sinclair

| rev3Score = 7/10{{Cite web|title = 10th Frame|url = http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/10thframe.htm|website = Your Sinclair|access-date = February 21, 2016|last = Robson|first = Rick|date = April 1987|series = Issue 16|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160301131730/http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/10thframe.htm|archive-date = 2016-03-01|url-status = dead}}

}}

Computer and Video Games reviewed the Commodore 64 version in issue 65 and called it a Game of the Month with a 9/10 score. Zzap!64 awarded the game 85% in issue 22, calling it "another slick and extremely well programmed Access sport simulation". Your Sinclair gave the ZX Spectrum conversion 7 out of 10, stating that "10th Frame requires a lot of skill and is a pretty good simulation".

Rick Teverbaugh reviewed the game for Computer Gaming World, and stated that "Tenth Frame is on my top 10 sports games list of all-time and I think it will be on yours also."{{cite magazine |last=Teverbaugh |first=Rick |title=Sports Scoreboard |magazine=Computer Gaming World |date=December 1986 |volume=1 |issue=33 |pages=52}}

References

{{Reflist}}