Bowling Ball (Thing)

“Whether this orb was designed for battle or merely construction, one thing is clear: the engineers who piloted it from the three Toad holes were brave.”

—Sticker Museum plaque, Paper Mario: Sticker Star

The Bowling Ball is a Thing in Paper Mario: Sticker Star. It is first seen on a side path in the The Bafflewood, resting on a stump. It remains in Mario's Album until it is turned into a Sticker at a Sling-a-Thing station. Once it has been used as a sticker and before the player completes Strike Lake's secret exit, it returns to its original position. Once the player uses the Bowling Ball to uncover the secret exit, it returns as a Thing through a tree trunk ball return. This becomes the new position to find the Bowling Ball as after this point, the Trophy takes the original position. It can also be purchased from the Shady Toad for 150 Coins.

As a sticker, the Bowling Ball takes up four squares in Mario's album. If and when it is used in battle, the battlefield darkens as Mario forms a bowling stance. After he thrusts his arm out, the Bowling Ball rolls into any onscreen enemies, possibly defeating them. The player may press as Mario finishes his pose to increase the damage dealt. A banner reading "STRIKE!" appears after the Bowling Ball is used, regardless of how much damage is dealt. It is the second-strongest ball-based Thing in the game.

The Bowling Ball can also be placed into the Sticker Museum as #31, alongside the other ball-based Things. Its description identifies it as an orb of unknown purpose meant to be piloted by three brave Toads.