WSC Real 09: World Championship Snooker (Wii)
POT the red and screw back, for the yellow, green, brown, blue, pink and black - we'll show you what we can do with a load of balls and a snooker cue.
Or in this case a mini cue-shaped Wii controller.
If you have played the snooker games on the market in recent years then you know what to expect. The game is packed with features, game modes and career options. The graphics are good, if somewhat unspectacular.
The soundtrack is pure John Virgo dry wit, bad-timing and general annoyance but to be honest that's pretty much snooker commentary in real life too.
Dripping with authenticity, the game has all the top players and brandings and has a real feeling of endorsement throughout.
This aspect of the game makes it a must for fans. All of the tournaments are in place and playing a career through them - and competing for the kudos and prize money - is good fun.
Gameplay is a mixed bag, movement around the table and around the ball is spot-on and indeed the control of the ball itself is spot-on, too.
My main beef with the controls are the game's niche area - the cueing action. The Wii needs to offer that option now - the pressure is intense to give gamers that bit extra.
First and foremost it does work, and it feels rewarding to feel you have 'potted the ball'.
Sometimes, though, it seems a bit sporadic in its success rate, and judging the power was a bit awkward. I have to stress this was probably down to me being rubbish.
Cueing and striking the ball is great fun, it's a nice touch and a bold effort to give snooker fans the game they have been craving. I can see no reason why a fan of the sport would dislike this.
I am a fan and was once a snooker league player, and this game replicates the sport brilliantly in my opinion.
Older/Newer
Authors
Steve Wollaston - Sunday Mercury games reviewer Steve has been writing about video games for donkey's years. In fact he is probably far too old for it now which is why you will see a lot of reviews been done by kids... He has been nominated three times for Regional Games Journalist Of The Year at the Games Media Awards, but never wins. His major love is sports games and rates Sensible World of Soccer circa 90's as the greatest game ever made - closely followed by Championship Manager 2. Skyrim has currently taken over his life.
