Pocket Bowling brings bowling to the Game Boy Color, offering single games for one or two players, a tournament mode consisting of four rounds, and a practice option. Players can set up any pin combination to knock down using this feature.
Before a game, players can select from five different characters, each with unique statistics, and choose whether they are right- or left-handed. After aligning the ball on the alley, throwing is done in four consecutive button presses. The first press starts the curve meter, while the second stops it to select the ball curve. The third determines the power of the throw on the power meter, and the final one must be matched to a goal spot for best accuracy.