Elf Bowling Download (PC, macOS)

Elf bowling screenshot

Remember playing Elf Bowling back in the late nineties? You can play it once again this Christmas season! This is the original version that was shared online, particularly through e-mail chains.

I’ve also made this game available for macOS (via WineSkin). If you’re running Windows, simply choose the “PC” version below. Happy Holidays!

**Last updated 12/5/2023**

Elf Bowling (PC)

Elf Bowling (macOS)

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59 thoughts on “Elf Bowling Download (PC, macOS)

  1. Moriah

    Just got a mac for the first time in my life. I have no idea how to use this thing…..NEED ELF BOWLING FOR MAC! please

  2. Kelley

    THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS!!! I’ve SOOOOO missed this game… and the fact that you’ve made it Mac friendly… WOW!!!! You ROOOOOOOOOCCCCCCCKKKKKKK!! :)

  3. Tracy Simmons

    Thank you for this classic. I’m not a “gamer” but I do love me some elf bowling at Christmas time.

    I was afraid this one had gone the way of 45 rpms.

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  5. PRIZZA Post author

    To extract the game, you’ll need a program like Keka. The game is zipped up with this to help save space. After it’s unzipped, you’ll see the game app file. Double click it to open it and you should be good to go. Have fun!

  6. Joe Gindhart

    I am unable to open Elf Bowling on my Macbook Pro running OSX 10.12.2
    Getting this error message whenever I try and open it-

    “ERROR! cannot write to Info.plist, there are permission problems, or you are on a read-only volume.

    This cannot run from within a read-only dmg file.”

    any idea what I could be doing wrong?

  7. PRIZZA Post author

    I saw an unofficial version floating around the web for Android, but it just bundles a Gameboy Advance emulator. It was a little fishy, so I wouldn’t advise downloading it.

  8. Julie

    A thousand thank yous. I loved this game when it first came out and love to play it every Christmas. Never liked the sequel.

  9. Rosey

    I’m getting error message

    “An error occurred while starting the X11 server: “Failed to activate core devices.”

    Click Quit to quit X11. Click Report to see more details or send a report to Apple.”

    Any ideas? :)

  10. PRIZZA Post author

    I think some newer OS have had trouble with this particular game. I’ll try to set some time aside soon to get it running properly with Sierra. Thanks for the heads up!

  11. PRIZZA Post author

    Maybe there was an error grabbing the correct file or there was an advertisement popup somewhere. I’ve updated the post with new links so please try again. I’m sorry for the issues!

  12. PRIZZA Post author

    Update: I updated the Mac version to try and resolve the newer OS issue. Please try the new version and let me know how it works.

  13. Can

    “ERROR! cannot write to Info.plist, there are permission problems, or you are on a read-only volume.
    This cannot run from within a read-only dmg file”

    any help? I can’t find this original anywhere else.

  14. sherry ramirez

    thanks so much for putting this up. I had a hard copy of that first one and the second one and cannot find them. I love them and was a little sad so thanks for doing that.

  15. DigiEggz Post author

    I’ll try to look into the problem this weekend. In the meantime, have you tried dragging the game from the DMG to your Desktop and then running it from your Desktop?

  16. Molly Bauer

    I’m new to using a mac. I’ve downloaded the file and keka and have extracted the files. When I click on the elf bowling icon nothing happens. Am I missing something?

  17. DigiEggz Post author

    Sorry for the inconveniences! When you double-click the icon, does it show any sort of “expanding” animation? That will let you know that it’s trying to open the application. If the app doesn’t seem to want to open, please let me know what version your Mac is. You can find this by clicking Apple -> About This Mac and looking at the Version number.

  18. Dana

    Can I download this game on my android phone. We played the game years ago and totally love it. Super awesome playing woth my family. At this time our computer is not working. Thanks

  19. Brian

    the link for mac isn’t working. Do you still have the download for mac or did I miss the boat. I loved this game as a kid!!!

  20. Brian

    Thank you for uploading it again, On my Mac I get the “ERROR! cannot write to Info.plist, there are permission problems, or you are on a read-only volume.
    This cannot run from within a read-only dmg file”
    I dusted off my old windows laptop and tried and it worked great, so that’s good enough for me.
    Thank you for the memories relived!!!

  21. Julie

    I know to throw a left gutter ball intentionally to kill the deer, and it takes lucky timing to hit the frog. But I’ve never, ever hit the rabbit. Has anyone else, and if so, are there any tricks to it like the gutter ball for the deer?

  22. Benji

    ERROR! cannot write to Info.plist, there are permission problems, or you are on a read-only volume.

    This cannot run from within a read-only dmg file.
    Mac OS Mojave 10.14.6

  23. Benji

    Was able to download the PC .exe file and get to play it using Wine Bottler. Will see if I can package w/ wineskin and share a link to the file.

  24. Minibooger

    Doesn’t work with Mojave 10.14.6. I hope the developer updates the game – we all have to play Elf Bowling at Christmas!!

  25. Tester Mann

    Hi! Font out of range error with Linux Mint 18.3, running WINE…. Nstorm screen comes up, then an error…. Arrrggghhhh! So close! PLEASE help! :)

  26. DigiEggz Post author

    Hm, a font error? I haven’t heard of this one before. Not sure how much help I can provide at the moment, but I may be able to take a look.

  27. cutter

    Have elfbowl on linux 19.3, running wine. keep getting the fint index out of range error. Did anyone figure a way around this?

  28. james english

    ive been playing elf bowling ever since the creator gave mom a copy when this game was first created and now they have a movie, cant wait to see it, but elf bowling is awesome

  29. George

    It says the Mac version is no longer available whan I try to download. Is this correct or is there an issue with the link? Thanks in advance- miss that Elf Bowling!!

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