Virtual Pool 64

"Graphics can't hide everything..."

This game has some of the best graphics and physics engines in any pool game I've ever played, although I haven't actually played that many. But they can't save this unorganized game for long. If only the company had decided to go with a sub-menu based system instead of the hold-a-button-press-another system, this game could have been much more popular.

Graphics: 9/10 It would have recieved a perfect 10 if the backrounds looked better. All the balls and cues and tables look great, and the lighting effects are pretty good for a pre-Expansion Pak game. Target lines are easy to see too.

Sound: 7/10 Effects sound great, but music gets real monotonous real fast. It fits the game perfectly, but still gets annoying quite fast. Thankfully, it plays very quietly during the match.

Play Control: 2/10 This is the problem with this game. The button combinations were not at all thought out very nicely, and are way too complicated to make you want to learn them. I just got so frustrated I forgot all about trick shots and camera angles and just aimed and shot. There isn't even a real need for the rest of the stuff they have hidden away in there, you can make do with the simple controls. I didn't have the games manual though, and unfortunately, this game is NOT user friendly.

Longevity: 8/10 A decent set of modes, but again, it gets too frustrating to provide long lasting fun. All the modes, while numerous, have only slight rule changes, but still are fun enough to last if you can handle the control scheme.

Replay: 10/10 Its pool, so its always different. Lots of modes also adds to the game. Matches, tournys, skins, and more. Plus, theres 8 ball, 9 ball, 10 ball, 3 ball, and many more I can't even remember. There are also many computer players with different levels of ability to challenge yourself with, ranging from hopelessly pitiful to inhumanly perfect.

Buy or Rent: Definitely rent at least once. Its great fun to have around for a few days. This is supposed to be a game you can invite the guys over for, but since it takes so long to get used to the controls, you should really consider something else. So unless you are really impressed, or a pool nut, just hope that something better will come out someday. Or spend some money and buy a real pool table, you'll probably enjoy it longer.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 09/23/01, Updated 09/23/01