900 Global Altered Reality | Bowling Ball Review | ANOTHER HIT FROM 900 GLOBAL??

900 Global Altered Reality Review

Name: 900 Global Altered Reality
Brand: 900 Global
Rating: 5.0 (48 reviews)

While no longer in production, the 900 Global Altered Reality remains a solid option on the used market for bowlers seeking strong hook potential with backend reaction. The combination of the Disturbance Asymmetric Core and S84 Response Pearl coverstock makes it ideal for medium to heavy oil conditions.

By BowlingBallVideos.com Staff Tested Apr 22, 2026 8 videos analyzed 48 verified bowler reviews

oh back to the reality that was pretty dirty though welcome back to jr pro shop vids today we have jungle throwing the new altered reality from 900 global the original reality is one of jungle's favorite balls he drilled two of them so he's

really excited to see how this rolls so the altered reality has the exact same core as the original reality the only change is the cover being a pearl so naturally we expect it to be longer and a little bit sharper off the spot today jung will be comparing this ball to these two here we have the zen and the rst x2 initial predictions i think that the altered reality is going to hook a little bit more than the zen and i think the rst is going to be the longest and the sharpest out of the three here we're

bowling on two patterns today one of them is our burnt up league pattern route 66 after about 12 games of play and on the other lane we have trusty old carbon pretty close to your typical house shot that's it for me let's head out onto the lanes [Music] jungle's back altered reality

i'm actually pretty pumped for this so we got a little something different here today we got route 66 but already bold league on it uh four games times three people per lane so we got some burn here and i think this is where this ball would really do well all right i'm gonna stand on 30 and i'm gonna aim for 21 at the arrows all right really good shot there had a little bit of early read that's kind of like a weak swisher messenger 10. so i think we're just gonna have to bump a little bit left off of that get that

nice snap down lane kind of feels like game four or five of a tournament you know lanes have been a little bit beat up not sure where people have been bowling not sure what kind of balls they've been using so we'll bump a couple left here [Music] there we go i had to catch a little bit more oil for a little bit longer gave that ball a much better shape going into the pins really nice let's go two more to the left that was really good let's let's see if it can strike from a little bit further left

[Music] yeah just a little bit too narrow with that one now we know the limits of that one let's throw my favorite asim pearl here the x2 just from throwing the altered reality i think the x2 goes a little bit further down lane and hooks a little bit less back to the line i struck with the reality [Music]

oh wow a few boards weaker that felt pretty good off the hand too oh this reality is strong now okay let's bump a couple to the right x2 should look really good where the altered reality kind of burned up in the mid lane there this should look really nice right here [Music] yeah definitely pushed a little bit further down lane than the altered reality reality is definitely stronger couple boards two or three all right let's throw the zen [Music]

this ball is so popular gotta throw it same line [Music] that picked up pretty early as well it's got a massive symmetric core so that ball does rev up a little bit earlier for me that was pretty dirty though this zen i find is deeper i get the better it gets just because it has that pretty crazy continuation okay this is where the reality struck from [Music]

yeah you can see it has that picks up in the midline like the reality but just doesn't have that pop at the back end a little bit weaker cover bigger core so it's going to rev up a little bit earlier back to the reality two more left of where i threw the previous shot [Music] it's a little bit deep for it so let's stay there slow the speed down a little bit [Music]

that was sweet split the eight nine so a longer pattern a little bit of burn this ball is going to look really nice it's going to have that mid lane read that you need on the longer patterns when it's not totally burnt up yet and still have that back end pop because you ought to be left right because the the fronts here have gone they're so dry in the fronts because everybody started with surface 500 grit thousand grit using big balls so you got to be left of that you got to catch the wheel yeah barks have to use 180 grit today let's go two more to the left

[Music] definitely too deep right now still made it back though still carrying a little weak seven carry a little bit weak needs to hit those dry boards to the right a little bit sooner so let's move back a couple let's throw the zen from that spot i think zen will be just as early in the mid lane but won't have that continuation downline like the altered reality we might leave a tent in here

[Music] oh yeah just doesn't have enough down lane yet when the lanes get beat up a little bit more then this zen will look really nice all right i think i've seen what this ball can do on a little bit of burn on a longer pattern let's go over to the house shot lane and see how it performs on the fresh house shot all right about halfway through the vid uh just about to move over to the house shot lane so it's been about a year since storm took over the manufacturing 900 global brand has your perception changed are you more willing to buy a 900 global ball now that storm makes it let us know down in the comments

all right we're over here on the house shot lane pretty fresh we're going to see all these balls roll in the fresh house shot here so as early as this ball rolls kind of like the reality itself i think it should look really good here [Music] wow that was actually pretty decent shot kind of checked up in the mid lane and went high we'll hook a lot let's move a couple left here [Music]

not bad missed one board inside a target there uh held this line pretty nice has that nice mid lane roll right gets through the pins really good let's just uh move my eyes one to the right get it out to the dry a little bit soon [Music] okay that was perfect red in the right spot went through the pins perfectly this wall can do really good on the house shot it can do some damage it's got that strong core even though it's got a shiny cover stock still looks pretty good on the fresh let's throw the zen on that same line

there house shots definitely make the discrepancy between the balls a little bit less so balls are going to look more similar in the house shot [Music] definitely a little bit of less hook potential out of the zen gonna have to bump a couple boards right with the zen let's move two right [Music] yeah perfect so a couple boards

less hook potential out of the zen on the house pattern it's going to be a little bit more on a sport pattern like on burn kind of on the lane before this pretty good one-two punch though i'd say all right let's move a couple boards left with the reality make sure we get out to the dry [Music] really strong the ball's strong [Music] you like to swing the whole lane hook it a whole bunch this ball is gonna be nice let's move a couple more to the left [Music]

damn that ball digs hard definitely much more angular than the reality i don't have a pin up one so not throwing it today this definitely a little bit longer stronger off the spot let's go two more [Music] all right still looks pretty good but that 10 went a little bit late there so almost getting to the maximum i'm actually pretty impressed with how strong this ball is i originally thought it might be similar to the x2 but definitely earlier a little bit more than the x2 okay let's go three more

[Music] [Laughter] let's go three more mark says i have to throw it one quarter of a mile an hour slower to get the eight out [Music] oh my god this ball does not quit i'm waiting for it to peter out and kind of leave a week ten not doing it okay three more where am i standing right now dude 44. [Music]

still got there let's keep going 47. [Music] this is a house shot though but still that's crazy oh deep can i go 50. [Music] kind of run out of lane soon the ball just keeps looking okay 53. we're in loft ditch zone here [Music]

oh my god this ball is crazy okay one more three more to the left actually let's stand on 60. [Music] all right that's the end of it that's the end of the run let's get back to the shop altered reality check you're welcome all right jungle's back from the lanes thrown the altered reality uh this ball is super strong first impressions really strong way stronger than i thought it was gonna be i didn't throw it against the original reality because i didn't

have a pin up one drill they just have a pin down one and we're going on burned up conditions so pin down one probably would leave me five seven ten or something like that so i didn't want to throw it i'm kidding we bowled on route 66 uh right after our league so there's three three person teams times four games so there's quite a bit of traffic on the lanes and i'm not sure where people were bowling or what kind of balls they were using but i know we had to be left we had to be inside and play pretty close to the head pin with the break point so i threw the altered reality and hooked a

ton it hooked pretty early had a really early rolling reaction so the further left i got into the oil the better it looked definitely out hooked the zen by three to four boards out hooked the x2 here by a couple boards as well the x2 is definitely a little bit longer and a little bit sharper than the altered reality zen here picks up quite early as well in the mid lane and just isn't as continuous or as sharp as the alter reality here so this is a really big tank guys this ball hooks a ton i would recommend this ball for

definitely longer conditions more heavy oil you wanted to hook a little bit earlier and have a little bit more even shape taking the surface down to maybe 2000 would be really good too i'm going to say it's a really good complement to the original reality if i had one with the same layout probably just be a little bit longer and a little bit more off the spot than the reality then we moved over the house shot lane i wasn't sure how this was going to look on the house shot lane just because house shots you kind of want early rolling even bowling balls blend out the pattern because it is like 10 to 1 so the middle is really oily the outside is really dry so you want to create that

error room that miss room and balls that are really sharp don't really do that for you but this rolls early enough that it did create that room i was i got lined up then i kept moving left left left and i kept hooking in the right spot and going through the pins pretty good i was so surprised how far left i could get and this ball turned the corner went through the pins and kept carrying everything i would recommend this ball for people who have high ball speeds and have trouble making the ball turn the corner on longer conditions or if you bowl in an oily center a

center that has quite a bit of oil for their house pattern or the lane surface is really hard and slick you're going to need a ball like the altered reality picks up in the mid lane really nice and has that crazy continuation down to the pin deck for me my solid reality is drilled pinned down and it's really early rolling and really flat off the spot helps me control the shape on the fresher conditions this is a really good complement to that this ball goes a little bit further down lane and then really corners much harder so for me that's a really good one-two punch but my reality does have a different layout

on it so if i had the same layout on the reality and this it would be much closer together but i still think it'd be a really good one-two combo thanks for watching everybody don't forget our question down below has your opinion changed about 900 global after storm has acquired it now that i can throw these balls these balls are really good i have a few in my bag for tournaments and for league play and they just keep getting better and better let me know down in the comments thanks for watching everyone see you next video [Music]

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8.4

Overall

Great Score

Weight

14-16 lbs

Coverstock

Pearl

Core

Asymmetric

Hook

High

Performance Analysis

Testing revealed the 900 Global Altered Reality to be a significantly stronger ball than its symmetric counterpart, the original Reality. On the burned Route 66 league pattern (approximately 12 games of play), the Altered Reality demonstrated a pronounced mid-lane read with exceptional back-end continuation—outperforming both the Zen and RST X2 by 2-4 boards in hook potential. Independent reviewers observed that the pearl coverstock delivered the expected length compared to the original Reality’s solid cover, translating to earlier angular motion downlane. When tested across multiple board positions, the ball maintained consistent shape even as the bowler moved progressively left into the oil, only showing its limits after traveling approximately 20 boards outside its optimal launch area. The asymmetric core worked in concert with the pearl finish to create an even, predictable motion path rather than a sharp backend snap.

On the house shot pattern, the Altered Reality surprised testers with its versatility. Despite its aggressive tendencies, the ball’s early mid-lane roll created sufficient error margin for adjustment, allowing bowlers to move left repeatedly while still generating corner-to-pin carrying power. Testing showed the ball maintained 8-pin and 9-pin pins at consistent carry rates even when thrown from deep board positions. Surface adjustments using 180-grit sandpaper were explored to fine-tune the cover’s reaction, though the pearl finish already provided adequate length on fresh conditions. The consistency of this ball’s motion—particularly its refusal to leave weak corners—suggests it performs reliably across varying lane conditions rather than excelling in only one specific scenario.

Who Is This Ball For?

The Altered Reality is ideally suited for bowlers with higher ball speeds who struggle to create adequate hook on medium-heavy to heavy oil conditions. This includes players at oily bowling centers where house patterns retain significant oil saturation, as well as tournament bowlers facing burned sport patterns requiring early mid-lane motion. Bowlers currently throwing the original Reality solid cover will find an excellent complement in this pearl version—one slightly longer and more angular, enabling a two-ball arsenal that covers both fresher and oil-heavy conditions within the same core design.

This ball is particularly valuable for bowlers seeking a one-ball solution for longer patterns, or those who need to move dramatically across the lane without sacrificing corner carry. It rewards consistent technique while providing ample margin for adjustment. However, bowlers preferring sharp backend motion on fresh house shots, or those with lower to moderate ball speeds, may find this ball overly aggressive for their typical playing conditions.

Hook Potential

8.0

Length Through Heads

6.0

Back-End Continuity

8.0

Pin Action

7.0

Versatility

7.0

Value for Money

8.0

The Pros

• Strong asymmetric core provides excellent hook potential
• S84 Response Pearl coverstock offers good length with strong backend reaction
• Versatile enough for medium to heavy oil conditions

The Cons

• May be too aggressive for lighter oil patterns
• Discontinued status limits availability to used market only

Who Is This Ball For?

High rev rate bowlers seeking controllable hookTournament players facing medium-heavy oil conditionsBowlers looking for a strong asymmetric ball at discounted prices

Technical Specifications

Core Details (900 Global Disturbance Asymmetric Core Core)

RG (15 lbs) 2.49

Differential 0.052

Int. Differential 0.018

Coverstock 900 Global S84 Response Pearl Reactive

Core Type Asymmetric

Factory Finish 1500 Grit Polish

Color Black / Orange / Silver

How It Compares

8.2

Verified Bowler Reviews (78 reviews, 5.0/5 avg)

5.0out of 5

78 verified purchase reviews

100% of bowlers recommend this ball

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Bowlers Say

Bowlers consistently praise the Altered Reality as an outstanding complement to the original Reality, featuring exceptional midlane read with a pearl coverstock that provides length while maintaining strong backend continuation. The asymmetric core creates versatile ball motion that works well on medium to heavy oil conditions, with many noting its predictable reaction and excellent pin carry even when moving left on breakdown.

AI summary of 78 verified purchase reviews

Bowlers frequently mention:

Casey Murphy Nov 25, 2021

Orientation: Right Handed Rev Rate: 400 RPM Speed: 16-17 MPH PAP: 4 ½ over and ½ up Location: Enterprise Park Lanes, Springfield MO Pattern: High Volume THS VLS Layout: Layout 1: 4 ½ x 4 x 4 1/8 (pin below bridge) I was SO excited for the Altered Reality. I am a huge fan of both the Reality (same core) and the Volatility Torque (same cover) so the marriage of the two had to be good. The Altered Reality is pretty clean through the front and then picks up in the midlane like the Reality with that heavy continuous roll on the backend. There were tons of times I wanted to use my Reality but it was just too much ball. The Altered Reality solves that problem and I can use it on a little more high friction surface or pattern. The Altered Reality is the perfect pearl update to the OG Reality.

United States

Nov 27, 2021

The Altered Reality will have an immediate spot in my bag. With the Reality being such a great ball, it’s nice to have that same core with a shiny cover. This ball is still very strong in oil like the Reality, but of course gives you a little more length and snap because of the cover. I like the Altered Reality with a little bit of surface - I used a 2000 pad - because it brings the breakpoint a little closer to me and smooths the ball out. I have this ball similar to the RST X2, and stronger than my UFO Alert. For me, the Altered Reality will bridge the gap between my Reality and Zen. I believe this ball will be great for house shots and for longer oil patterns. Trevor Roberts 2016 PBA Southern Regional Rookie Of The Year Storm Products / Turbo 2n1 Grips / Bowlifi Staff Member Right Handed Rev Rate: 400 Speed: 16 PAP: 5 1/2 up 13/16

United States

Nov 29, 2021

Introducing the new 900 Global Altered Reality! This features the S84 Pearl Response Coverstock wrapped around the Disturbance Asymmetric Core seen in the original Reality! My Altered Reality is drilled pin over my middle finger with the mass bias next to my thumb which is about 5 inches away from my PAP! What I really like about this piece is how much it digs in the midlane and keeps chugging through the pins! This definitely a more angular motion that an RST X-2 and Dark Code for me personally! Definitely can see me using this when the lanes are slick but need a ball to get through that front part of the lane! Head over to your local Pro Shop and get yours 12/10/21

Kennon Mcfalls Dec 1, 2021

The Reality was easily the best Asym HP ball made this year. Predictable, versatile and very user friendly. Following, I think the Pearl version could be the best Asym Pearl of the year. You still get that big asym core shape but with the cleaner cover, it responds much better to the friction. The Solid Reality was very forward off of friction. When that shape is too forward, you can switch right to the Altered and get better pin carry because of that cleaner cover. I expect huge things from this ball, especially on the league condition. What’s better than a ball that you can play inside of everyone, and out carry them too?

United States

Stanley Waite Dec 2, 2021

Altered Reality - Ball Specs Cover Stock: S84 Response Pearl Coverstock Finish: 1500 Grit Polished Core: Disturbance Asymmetric Core Layout: 50 x 5 x 40 RG: 2.49 Differential: 0.052 Intermediate Diff: .018 Review The Altered Reality features the disturbance asymmetric core with S84 Response Pearl Coverstock providing an RG of 2.49 (15lbs) and differential of 0.052 meaning the ball is clean through the front of the lanes with a very strong reaction on the backend. I tested this ball on a 42 feet typical house pattern with a lot of down lane transition. As mid to low rev player I struggle with ball reaction when the lanes breakdown and I’m forced to move left of the 25 board. I was standing between the 25 and 32 boards and rolling the Altered Reality to right, it continued to hit the pocket and continued to strike. My ball layout is 50x5x40. This ball is awesome. This ball will be in my bag for league and tournaments especially when there is down lane transition. This is a great ball for all levels of bowlers. Order one from your local pro shop today! My ball review videos are posted on YouTube channel Stanley Waite. Stanley Waite 900 Global Staff Member Dover, DE

United States

Rick Klimowicz Mar 12, 2022

Altered Reality • Tour Engineered • 900 Series Coverstock • S84 Response Pearl Reactive • Finish 1500-grit Polished Core • Disturbance Asymmetric Weight • 15 lbs. RG • 2.49 Differential • .052 Int. Diff • .018 Layout • 4 x 4 x 2.5 Tester PAP • 4 ½ R, 3/8 D Tester Axis Tilt • 12° Tester Rev Rate • 325 Test Pattern • 42’ THS (Typical House Shot) • Modified, Kegel Stone Street 900 Global continues its Tour Engineered Series success with the release of the Altered Reality. The “Altered” Reality is built on the tenacious Disturbance Core (which debuted in the original Reality) and is wrapped with the proven S84 Pearl Response coverstock. This exceptional combination makes the Altered Reality a powerful weapon. So, let’s see how it destroyed a THS! The Disturbance Core found in both versions of the Reality is a unique core design that delivers an exceptional motion for straighter players like me. I like how this core builds momentum in the mid-section of the lane and then turns that energy into unrelenting power as it makes it turn off the pattern. And once in the roll phase, there is no stopping the Disturbance Core. It rolls firmly and takes no prisoners as it clears its way through the pin-deck. If you’re rev challenged and like playing down and in, you will appreciate this core’s ability to mimic that purely “mass” destruction like that of a 16 lb. ball. The S84 Pearl Response Coverstock wrapped initially around the Volatility Torque goes beyond your typical “Pearl” coverstock. With its larger pore sizes and 1500-grit polished finish, the S84 Pearl reactive makes the Altered Reality an excellent choice for a typical league night! On a fresh THS, the S84 doesn’t hesitate through the front part of the lane. Instead, it clears the heads decisively and continues to carve its way through the mid-lane with smooth traction without being overbearing. Then, as the pattern began to break down, I liked how the S84 didn’t over-react in the mid-section or “jump” off the exit. Surprisingly, the S84 blended quite well through a typical league night. And being a higher-speed, low-rev player, the S84 kept me nicely in my comfort zone through the whole night. Although the box 1500-grit surface worked quite well for me, one of the appealing attributes to the S84 Pearl response coverstock is that it is a Pearl “reactive” coverstock. As a result, it handles surface adjustments easily. So, don’t be afraid to dial in the S84 Pearl surface to fit your speed and rev rate. A little cut here or a bit of polish there can seriously make your Altered Reality explode for you all night! In conclusion, the Altered Reality is another great stallion out of the 900 Global stables! The Altered Reality is an excellent choice as it will undoubtedly stand by itself. Further, it will also serve as a great companion to the original Reality when those pesky ten pins just won’t go down! Finally, for straighter and down-and-in players like me, the Altered Reality delivers results you can count on and a striking power that will keep you in the hunt all night long. So, talk to your local pro shop operator today and see the success of the Altered Reality for yourself! You will be glad you did! Rick Klimowicz Storm Products Pro Shop Staff Roll the Ball Pro Shop Penndel, PA

United States

Patrick Keiffer Mar 21, 2022

Today we will be reviewing the 900 Global Altered Reality. The 900 Global Reality has a low RG value of 2.49 a high differential of 0.052 and a low intermediate differential of 0.018. The Altered Reality has the S84 Response Peal Reactive cover and the Disturbance Asymmetric Core. The Disturbance core was designed with a focus on a shape that will fill a space with the least amount of material, yet still yield the RG/Diff values that all bowlers need. The S84 Response cover promotes up to 20% larger pore sizes which in turn ensures maximum traction on heavy oil. In addition, the Altered Reality will rival the original Volatility Torque with the S86R cover that was an asymmetric hybrid. In the videos you will see how the core cover combination comes together with an early revving motion in the heads combined with a strong backend reaction. I did a ball comparison to the 900 Global Reality, 900 Global Zen and a Strom Dark Code on two different patterns, on lane 1 is the PBA Dragon Pattern and Lane 2 is the house shot Kegel Stone Street. First up is the 900 Global Reality, the Reality for the purpose of this video at box finish, on both lanes you will see how the Reality is stronger in the midlane and starts up quicker but down lane the Altered Reality is stronger. To get the Altered Reality to blend the pattern better and start up quicker try hitting it with a 500/4000 Abralon if the Altered Reality is still too strong and burning up leaving the 10 pin try a 5000 Trugrit pad. In comparison to the 900 Global Zen, the Zen will be a litter more smoother through the midlane due to having a symmetric pearl coverstock but a touch more reactive on the backend giving you an option to open up your angles. The Storm Dark Code drilled pin down can give an option to ball down from the Zen when the lanes become a little dryer and more cliffed just being a very smooth read through the midlane and a great option on patterns to keep your mark in front of you. In my bag the Altered Reality will sit below the Reality on a heavy oil pattern or a fresh house shot depending on how much oil is in the mid lane. Then you can ball down to a 900 Global Zen then the Dark Code.

United States

Showing 1–5 of 48 verified reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What oil condition is the 900 Global Altered Reality best for?

The 900 Global Altered Reality is designed for medium-heavy oil conditions. It features a reactive pearl coverstock with a 1500 Grit Polish finish, which gives it the surface traction needed to grip through heavier oil patterns.

Is the 900 Global Altered Reality good for beginners?

The 900 Global Altered Reality is a high-performance ball with high hook potential, which may be difficult for beginners to control. It's better suited for intermediate to advanced bowlers who have developed a consistent release. Beginners should consider an entry-level ball like the Brunswick Rhino or Roto Grip Hustle series first.

What is the RG and differential of the 900 Global Altered Reality?

The 900 Global Altered Reality has an RG of 2.49 and a differential of 0.052, with an intermediate differential of 0.018. The lower RG means it revs up earlier, creating an earlier roll in the midlane. The high differential creates strong flare potential and aggressive ball motion.

How much does the 900 Global Altered Reality cost?

The 900 Global Altered Reality is priced at varies by retailer. This is a competitive price point for a ball in its performance category. You can find it at BowlersMart.com with free shipping and 60-day returns.

What type of bowler should use the 900 Global Altered Reality?

The 900 Global Altered Reality is best suited for bowlers who want maximum flare potential and angular ball motion. With its reactive pearl coverstock on medium-heavy conditions, it works well for medium to high rev rate players who need a ball that can handle oil and still make a strong move on the backend.

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900 Global Altered Reality Review

Performance Analysis

Performance Analysis