Ramstein Bowling Center (Kat Nickola)
I recently got to test-drive the new “HyperBowling” program at Ramstein Bowling Center, and I can say with enthusiasm that it totally changes bowling. The purpose here is not just to hit the pins, but to also snag some multiplier points by bouncing your ball off the bumpers (I learned that they are really called rails). Yes, everyone has the rails up. Gutter balls are a thing of the past.
To be clear, though, traditional bowling is still available.
But I was there to try HyperBowling, and like the bowling alley’s recreational aid Joanne Coley told me, “Just try it. I like to tell people it’s great to just try [HyperBowling] when you only have 10 minutes left in your hour. It’s fun.”
Bowling at the center is charged per lane, per hour, with up to five bowlers included on the lane. Shoe rentals are extra, but balls are included.
The new addition of an incredible “Neoverse” backboard screen above the pin setters makes it easy to display your game play, or they can be used for special event displays, movies or advertising space. As part of the facility’s recent upgrade, certified league play equipment was installed for the local bowling league competitions. In addition, the Roll & Dine café has a new expanded menu.
Ramstein Bowling Center (Kat Nickola)
Roll & Dine at Ramstein Bowling Center (Kat Nickola)
New Neoverse screen at Ramstein Bowling Center (Kat Nickola)
The new HyperBowling program has four gameplay options, all involving the purposeful use of the new, colorfully lit bumpers, er, rails. The first thing to know is that each pin is worth 100 points, so scoring is way higher (I instantly beat my bowling record on my first roll).
I started with the standard “HyperBowl” option. Bowling center manager Robert Slover explained that each color that lights up on the rails is equivalent to a multiplier. “You don’t have to hit the bumpers [rails], but if you do it’s a multiplier.” I lucked out by hitting the rail on a yellow color (x5) and knocking over nine pins (900), so my score was an exciting 4500 points.
““This is pure fun” ”
— Robert Slover
Next up was the “HyperBowl Pro” option. With this choice you MUST hit the rails to establish a multiplier for pins you knock down or you’ll score nothing. I feel like this game is perfect for that family member who always used to get gutter balls; now their off-target rolls will be rewarded.
To add to the fun, the higher levels you achieve, the higher the multipliers but also the lit spaces for them on the rails will become smaller. You can also save your progress at the bowling alley, keeping your level status and points for the next visit.
““The kids love it.” ”
— Coley
Ramstein Bowling Center (Kat Nickola)
New HyperBowling rails at Ramstein Bowling Center (Kat Nickola)
“HyperActive” was the third gameplay option. Much like the old game show “Press Your Luck,” the rail colors correspond to an on-screen gameboard with a red bad guy called Buster. As with the other games, you roll the ball and hit the rails to snag a multiplier, hit the pins and score, but if you hit Buster’s red color on the rails, you’ll lose all of your points. Lucky for me, Buster stayed away on my turn.
The final gameplay option, “HyperSquad” is designed for groups. Bowlers in this game work as a team to claim territory on the rails with their own color light.
Competitions and teams can be saved in the bowling center’s system, so you can extend that co-worker challenge across multiple visits or a whole season. In addition, the system tracks and displays monthly high scores.
You can try the new HyperBowling for free at the Ramstein Bowling Center after the Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 1 p.m. on March 6, 2025.
