Big break

A load of coloured balls are on offer from Interplay in the form ofVirtual Snooker. Marc Ambasna Jones takes a look at what the reviewersthink of this and the rest of the latest batch of games on the market.

Snooker is not exactly the ideal subject for anyone wanting some fast action computer game. Seemingly endless TV coverage of the sport has, however, given the green baize and coloured balls game something of a boost in the eyes of the buying public. Interplay's response has been Virtual Snooker, the sequel to Virtual Pool.

Thanks to the rock 'n' roll, bad boy image of star player Ronnie O'Sullivan, snooker is also, for some odd reason, gaining credibility. Like its predecessor, Virtual Snooker has been generally well received by the reviewers. Top marks come from PC Review which says that it is better than the pool version and well worth the money. It cites simple controls and smooth movement of balls and cue as major reasons, while tactically, the gameplay is almost as difficult as the real thing. In fact, as with Virtual Pool, Virtual Snooker also brags that it will improve your game on the big table.

Gamepro also likes the simulation but suggests that it is merely Virtual Pool with some video footage, which incidentally, is