Elf Bowling: "Bigger Than Quake or Doom!"

Somehow, Elf Bowling was once one of the most-played games around! As far as mainstream media was concerned, the big three in PC gaming were Doom, Quake... and Elf Bowling.
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● Download the original Elf Bowling here:
bit.ly/2gHwwHy
● Source for that news interview footage:
• Elf Bowling Fox News...
● Music used in order of appearance:
"Bloxonius," "Christmas Time 16"
• Jazz Jackrabbit: Holid...
www.epidemicsound.com

[@kizmetmars]

Did you know you can kill the reindeer with a gutter ball? Blew my mind when I first did it.

[@LGR]

I remember being able to do that in one version, but somehow couldn't make it happen with the original executable. EDIT: the CTRL+D cheat worked! Thanks!

[@kizmetmars]

Mmm, maybe it was a later version? I can't remember exactly how it was done. I think it had to be close to the edge, but not too close. I'm going to look it up. Edit: There's some information about it, no videos. One says it has to be the last arrow. Another source says you can cheat it out with ctrl + D.

[@matani2001]

Tried it with both versions, in the one that was added to the Super Elf Bowling collection (Which removed refrences to Nvision), and the original executable. It worked in both. You just need to press space when the last arrow is lit, and it will hit the reindeer. Ctrl+D seems to activate a mode where you get a gutterball no matter where you press...

[@kizmetmars]

***** Awesome, thanks!

[@NemtYT]

I remember doing this with a special key combo. I don't remember being able to hit the reindeer with a normal shot, no matter where it's aimed.

[@K12machinima]

Nearly a decade later, I still wonder... I still question... I still writhe in my sleep... I wake up in cold sweats, and from seamless dreams, sometimes screaming... all from ONE question, that' I've yet to fully grasp in my adult years: "Is that all the balls you've got, Santa?"

[@YoManRuLz1]

Elf Bowling is probably the first PC game I've ever seen. I must have been 4 years old visiting my aunt for christmas and someone was playing this on their mysterious computer thingy.

[@JaKeW138]

+Jeff J literally the story with me

[@benjaminpryse3802]

Yup

[@manadrivexl]

What happens to your Christmas clones when the month is over? Do they return to the Christmasphere? Shrivel up and turn into ash like a vampire in sunlight?

[@LGR]

One of the great mysteries of our time.

[@MaskedGEEK]

Lazy Game Reviews I think in Clint's younger days he had more clones and were even more annoying. And as he said in the video that Nvision bought anything they could, they bought most of Clint's clones (obviously being younger they were smaller back then) from him. They were annoying in their office as well, so someone likely threw something heavy at them and someone else thought it was funny, and after 30 minutes of silly laughter made it into a game and lo, Elf Bowling was born. Unfortunately not all Clint Clones were bought so they still roam the earth stalking Clint every Christmas.

[@Stonehopper1067HMG]

I think they go back to there space ship that looks similar to a CompUSA store.

[@adiveler]

So this is the Angry Birds of last generation?

[@Greyspecies9999]

kind of.

[@voidofspaceandtime4684]

It's the dark souls of the angry bird world

[@indeimaus]

When is Christmas LGR getting his own channel?

[@rip_city_and_ptfc_fan]

Never lol

[@TheOnlyToblin]

INDEI? What the heck man? Been subbed to forever, but had no clue you're an LGR bro.

[@ThoroughlyBaked]

Hey! The old intro.... with the Dr. Pepper. Nice!!

[@FooPanda]

DankTendencies Refreshing even!

[@Vojingamer]

*badum tss*

[@28Pluto]

I believe this is actually a newer intro that he made a few months back. It's like a remaster version of the old classic intro.

[@Vojingamer]

Well, it is

[@StimpyThe1]

Your christmas clone is ADORABLE! :D

[@The8BitGuy]

Wow, I've surprisingly never heard of this game. But this review was one of my favorite LGRs.. it was very entertaining an educational!

[@LGR]

Glad to hear it, sir?

[@Andrew982_]

The 8-Bit Guy I have elf bowling

[@bunnyboyking5215]

The 8-Bit Guy 8 didn't hear about it until I saw Elf Bowling 1 & 2 on GamesRadar's worst games of all time list. But after that I forgot about it until I saw MrEnter's review of Elf Bowling The Movie.

[@tristanmcfrosty2588]

1:58 "Summary: Elf Bowling 1 and 2 lets you bowl with elves. Twice." Lmao that's gold

[@Yolligraphone]

LGR, I appreciate your impeccable grammar.

[@LGR]

thanx u 2

[@NerfPlayeR135]

I was born too late to experience the Elf Bowling craze, but I did end up playing a 1 hour timebomb version (remember when those were a thing?) of the seventh game when I was young.

[@UltraThunderSurge]

Very few things capture the Christmas spirit as well as LGR's Christmas specials, you know as far as video game reviews go. Look forward to this every year, the perfect thing to sit down and enjoy for a few minutes on a December afternoon.

[@AlphaStarDX]

I gotta say I look forward to seeing the Clone every December, just to see how he finds and haunts you next. XD And always love seeing a childhood favorite any time of year. Thanks Clint! :D

[@LGR]

Haha, glad to hear it!

[@schadenfreudebuddha]

I like xmas clone better than real clint. so festive and enthusiastic in a not-at-all-creepy way. he's almost as great as duke clint. I wish I could be my own friends.

[@Yusuke_Denton]

The clone keeps getting dumber every year though. Must be genetic damage from over-cloning.

[@JackTheHatGuy]

I always love the intro skits you do this time of year. Looking forward to this year's Christmas reviews!

[@19simplyme93]

I love your reviews, even if I have never played the game. They're just entertaining.

[@LGR]

Thanks!

[@sethfinley8378]

I just love your way of reviewing things.You just sound so professional. I remember putting KZbin up on my televison with one of your videos and my parents thought you were a legit televison show. I must agree, you do have that tone that all good televison reviewers have.

[@digitaltos2696]

Oh my, the LGR christmas videos is my favourite tradition. Keep it up, you are as awesome as ever.

[@HattmannenNilsson]

I always forget about your Christmas specials and they always make me laugh. Big, fat double-like just for that intro. Add another one for the review and a game I obviously missed, way back when. Perhaps it didn't catch (as much) on over on my side of the pond. Thanks, Clint! I am now sufficiently full of nostalgia and holiday cheer to last me all year. ^^

[@RosePhoto1]

Yay, It's Christmas time at LGR!! A very enjoyable annual tradition. Thanks for all the great content.

[@EngineeringVignettes]

Elf elf baby.... aaaaaa! The good ol days... kept the mother in law quiet for _hours_.

[@GTB-yu2be]

I loved the beginning! I would like to see you on camera more often doing skits. I can imagine the amount of work it can take though. Either way, I absolutely love your videos. Please keep it up:)

[@DukeNukem2417]

Christmas Clint is hilarious as usual. Nice to see that he can follow you even if you move to another house....hell, a Christmas Clint game might be something worth playing, if anyone ever made it!

[@evanpeters87]

Love me some Christmas LGR, congrats on the new place as well!

[@SabrinasLaptop]

I keep rewatching this just for the intro!

[@nicorkydude]

I literally clicked on this video in the hope that my Christmas cheer would be met with similar enthusiasm. I was not disappointed. Thank you also for the nugget of knowledge from the decade I was born in!

[@MillieBoBilly]

man I loved this game as a child. my mom and I would laugh so hard when they would fart, taunt and when I'd hit the deer in the head with the ball.. the big Oof! sound was priceless

[@Xpancakes11X]

I love that you bring out Christmas clone every December. I remember a couple weeks ago I was re-watching previous years and wondered if Christmas clone was going to make an appearance this year ^__^

[@kohowch]

Wow, going from your older videos to this surprised me. You've really improved your production values! And I thought your older videos were great already! Keep up the awesome vids :)

[@LGR]

Thank you!

[@Astech31]

God I need this today, that intro was a unexpected surprise.. thanks for making me day better.

[@messngretz]

Elf Bowling made its way around the web back in the late '90s...I remember sitting in my company's office and you'd hear "elf elf baby" and the elves laughing all throughout the office. It was a huge web game hit, right up there with Snowball Fight.

[@katyfaise]

This was one of my dad's favorite games ever. I remember sitting on his lap and playing with him when I was maybe 8 or 9. This vid brought back a lot of good memories of him, thanks for this.

[@WayOutGaming]

Yay! I've been waiting since October for LGR Christmas reviews!

[@xBeyondBeliefx]

I can't believe i saw this on your channel. This game was my life around Christmas time when I was a kid.

[@delta7890]

Good God I had this and distinctly remember it. Thank you for bringing us the backstory I never knew I wanted to a game I'd almost completely forgotten about! (And holy crap HOW did this get so many sequels?! AND A MOVIE?!?!)

[@Clamurtits]

NOW it feels like December with an LGR Christmas video :)

[@okayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy]

so its like.... late 90s flash Angry Birds?

[@JS-gd1ko]

I've absolutely loved watching your channel, thanks for posting!

[@manoflego123]

Really digging the animated laser projector in the background, very cool.

[@finnishgamer92]

"Is that all the balls you got santa"😂😂

[@kirilichushanka1357]

The old intro's back, HUGE thank you!!!

[@nicolasievich7864]

Nice editing today mate! I like it :)

[@peehead8751]

you have such a nice voice my dude its very soothing to listen to your videos

[@Drew1749]

Man I remember playing this! Great nostalga as usual LGR.

[@Melipeli]

The beginning was so incredibly awkward but hilarious. I laughed the whole time. Thank you so much for that.

[@GentlemanBentley]

You know the Christmas season truly begins when LGR releases a series of Christmas related game reviews!

[@FlyingSQUIRRILLLS]

So glad you made this video, I was wondering what this childhood game was called

[@McDumDum]

Don't talk to me unless you got 100% on Elf Bowling 2

[@deniromorales312]

haha! I love Christmas clone you! I love the old school intro! And I love Christmas on LGR!!!

[@bluedragon9925]

One game I would *love* to see you review during the month of December is "3D Ultra Lionel Train Town." A puzzle game made by the same people behind the "3D Ultra Pinball" series based on Lionel's electric toy trains. It's not exactly a "Christmas" game per-say but to me it kind of counts as one since *many* of the game's levels (or "jobs" as the game calls them) explicitly take place at the north pole, with the goal of nearly every single one those "jobs" being to "save Christmas" in one way or another.

[@paulnash9851]

Xmas LGR, yay !!! I wish you a happy one Clint (and everyone else). Long may LGR keep going for many more. You are one groovy/entertaining/informative guy. Merry Xmas/DOSmas...

[@paulnash9851]

Also, don't know if you are aware, but here in the UK, the salvation army have released a new "official" Father Christmas game, you can even get it on cd if you donate money/goods at some of their shelters, don't know if its online, but I guess it must be somewhere.

[@StarSeerPony]

Oh geez... I remember this as a kid. You should totally do an LGR Plays of the various games on that collection.

[@HetaliaStuff]

I had completely forgotten about frogapult until I saw it on here! I must have been 6 or 7, going back to the computer in the back room of my grandmothers house to play elf bowling and frogapult. I looked up a gameplay video of frogapult, and the sound effects brought back so much nostalgia! also, GUTTERBAAAAAAALL!

[@youboob1996]

This video was super interesting. I'm 31 and I never heard of elf bowling. Thank you for unearthing these weird bits of history.

[@greenmonalisa]

Thanks for the reminder! I have fond memory of playing this game back around 1999. :)

[@kismetcho]

THANK YOU for doing this review. I remember being part of a huge crowd of children around a single computer where we were (covertly, of course) downloading and playing this game. It was so amazing to us then and I couldn't remember what the game was, but thought that you've probably reviewed it haha. Glad I was right; this takes me back :) I still feel just as rebellious as I did back in the day seeing those elven derriers wiggling in the air

[@itsGeorgeAgain]

Man that clone's laugh cracks me up. Really nice splicing effect btw. Not just in the implementation, but also in the way the ... two of them interact and timing.

[@iandavidwolfe]

Freaking hilarious vid Clint! I played a ton of Elf Bowling back in the day. I was 15 or 16 at the time. Like many guys around that age, I loved that kind of dumb humor and whatnot... until I got my drivers license, played in a band, played sports, and started dating lol. At that time my Elf Bowling days were over lol! Now I'm in my 30's, so it's probably about time to bust out the Elf Bowling again ;) Great video man!

[@warhawk638]

Your acting with the christmas clone is amazing

[@foxman105]

Did you loose some weight? You look good mate!

[@LGR]

Working on it! Thanks!

[@fatboymachinegun]

Lazy Game Reviews good work, sir

[@Hellwyck]

You lose weight, the weight gets loose.

[@DanPantzig]

THE CLASSIC INTRO! Just what I wanted for Xmas!

[@Tricob1974]

Excellent upload! And I was in the Christmas spirit *before* I watched the video. Guess I should watch an old Xmas movie or something ... maybe the original Miracle On 34th Street. :-)

[@AidGum]

I will always love Christmas Clint. ;)

[@amm2media472]

The two times of the year I look forward to on LGR! Christmas Games and Edutainment Month! Nice house by the way!

[@helldog3105]

How do you not have a million subs? Your videos are so great!

[@fizalex6612]

I love the clone skits so much, I always giggle when I see LGR in a Santa hat.

[@-DeScruff]

I had forgotten about this game, and didn't even recognize it. But then the "Ahhhhh" scream gave me a violent flashback of playing it and other flash/java games in late 90s and early 2000s.

[@timmer919hep]

I remember hearing about Elf Bowling on the school bus. I think Elf Bowling 2 was out at the time.

[@sharkfinbite]

I had a professor who told me during the "Dot com boom" there were a lot of businessmen/suits and entrepreneurs scrambling to find any creative individual to help them be part of the big economic craze going on to a point some companies directly hired graphic designing students still studying their majors, anyone still studying anything related to computers straight out of the college classes before they graduated, or anyone that understood and could do impressive stuff with computers and software without any formal training (self taught mavericks). This is some of the many reasons (there were many factors besides this) to cause the crash. Out of this scouring of recruits of various people came individuals like the three founders of KZbin itself, Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim. Though it's been a while since I heard this and deserves fact checking but when I looked at Jawed Karim's wiki it mentioned he left campus for early employment before graduation, so I believe there is truth to what my professor said.

[@DvdXploitr]

My History teacher in high school had this on the computer. He allowed students to play it after we finished our work. Was so much fun. For a few years, I would put this on my computer around Christmas time. I even got my mom playing it

[@matthewrice4419]

I kind of miss the older style video intros actually, so it's nice seeing it on the Christmas videos.

[@Todimortal]

Do the whole collection! I love Elf Bowling tbh

[@kasarific5]

One of my Favorite Christmas games I loved Elf bowling as a kid.

[@KyosBlog]

This reminds me that there was a time here in Germany where everyone went crazy about Moorhuhn, an ad game from Johnnie Walker where your only goal was to shoot cartoonish grouses. It even included a Boss-key to hide the fact you were just wasting time at the office. After the success of the first two games they kept making spin-offs with the mascot like platformers or cart-racers with now over 20 entries in the series. That was also around the time where people played a black, male sheep called Sven Bømwøllen (which would translate to Sven Cøttøn in English) that tried to satisfy as many white, female sheep as possible until he got caught by the farmer. I guess like Elfs' Bowling, it those games that use the lowest form of entertainment to go viral.

[@scottaw1981]

yay, the sip, I kind of missed that intro bit

[@arigato7788]

OMG the memories are rushing back! I played the hell out of this back in the day!

[@knaksi]

Perfect and great new/old intro!

[@AmericanChronicles360]

I WILL NEVER FORGET THIS GAME!!! My grandparents had it on their computer and I would play whenever I went over there as a kid.

[@BurgerBroeders]

I want one of them Christmas clones! Awesome vid :)

[@lorthor500]

YES CHRISTMAS REVIEWS!!!

[@JonnyInfinite]

3:23 - so is that what you could call....'viral marketing'? I'll get my coat

[@sergeantpanther678]

Your house looks really good, I like the wall colour and the thingies on the lower parts of the walls.

[@LGR]

Thank you! And yeah, that's beadboard wainscoting :)

[@sergeantpanther678]

Lazy Game Reviews Well, that's a new word to me... Are you planing to redecorate?

[@KarlBaron]

This video reminds me that I haven't used one of those "christmas lights around your desktop" apps on my Mac for... over 15 years now. Time to find one...

[@brainpills13]

Oh man, I loved the "Not viruses' folder at 4:11

[@Jinxtah123]

Christmas clone Clint is awesome. I can't believe I laughed so much over that intro skit. Hilarious.

[@64jimboy]

I do love the over complicated bass line on the intro tune. Rup-a-pum--pummm... Thanks.

[@TGAProMKM]

man these game i still remember when i played it on my childhood days.....nice review as always.......

[@fartcat8569]

Thx Clint for the vids every week that way I can watch at least one KZbin video without wanting to fight someone because I'm drunk an belligerent.

[@Panthersfan2]

I remember playing this on my Dad's work computer all the time way back when. Cool to find my memories weren't imagined.

[@koopakape]

Ahhh, LGR + the holiday season = a recipe for pure comfiness. Yeah, not 'comfort', comfiness. And now it's starting to become a tradition, too. You the man, Kinda Creepy Chritmas Clone Clint!

[@jefferywren5822]

You just gave me flashbacks to my childhood, thank you

[@sonicpelaaja]

I remember playing elf bowling 2 when I was still a child. It was on a disc that came with a computer magazine. Cool to see what the 1st one looked like.

[@genericgreensquid6669]

Very enjoyable review Clint!

[@og3171995]

I LOVE early Internet history, it's so fascinating to me.

[@kbwaterbug29]

I remember my grandparents had it on their computer and I played it all the time when I was a kid

[@yngv1]

Oh, that LGR Christmas theme song... Nice!

[@JessicaKMcIntosh]

That intro is amazing! 😸

[@pouringblood]

You should do I video on the "game"/program that, I believe was called something along the lines of "Desktop Destruction". Or something like that. You would run the program and it would then give you a variety of options to destroy your desktop (a hammer, ants, a gun, a chainsaw, etc.) I believe it was for Windows 95 or 98

[@pouringblood]

I found the game I was referring to. gaming.wikia.com/wiki/Desktop_Destroyer_Game I really feel that it would make for an interesting video. I've been trying to find more about the history of the game but am not finding much. All I know is it seems everyone and there uncle played it or knew someone who had it.

[@cheaptricked3148]

That Jazz Jackrabbit-style music always brings me back