Virtual Pool
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Interplay: 15th Anniversary
(1999)
Description official descriptions
Virtual Pool is the definitive pool simulation game that actually teaches novice players how to play and even promises to improve the game of the pool shark. Developed by a team of physicists and professional pool players, Virtual Pool brings the game to life with the highest degree of accuracy. Balls roll, skid, collide and move on a fully rendered 3D controlled pool table that mirrors reality.
Virtual Pool has revolutionary features that allow players to actually 'walk' around the table to check out their next shot, take a closer look, back away, look left or right and then line-up the shot like they would in a real game with a real table. This title also allows players to take an overhead view from above, something unavailable in a real pool game!
Taking game tips from World Champion pool player "Machine Gun" Lou Butera is guaranteed to improve the player's game. "Machine Gun" Lou will teach players over 30 famous trick shots the player can practice on their computer screen and then implement on a real table.
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Credits (DOS version)
54 People (49 developers, 5 thanks) · View all
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| Multimedia Production Manager | |
| Tutorial and Game Intro Script | |
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| Video Compression and Playback Technology | |
| 3D Background Graphics | |
| Opening Animation Sequence | |
| Manual Writer | |
| Manual Design & Layout |
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| [ full credits ] | |
Reviews
Critics
Average score: 79% (based on 28 ratings)
Players
Average score: 3.4 out of 5 (based on 34 ratings with 1 reviews)
The Good
I love playing pool. Don't ask me why, but the menial task of knocking pool balls into holes on a grantie slab with felt is just cool.
Virtual Pool is a fantastic pool game that actually feels like your playing pool.
The graphics for its time are great. The balls look real (albeit a bit pixely), and the pool room/locales are tastefully done.
The Sound is great as well. Each ball hit must have been sampled from a real table, because it just sounds too good. Depending on how hard you hit the cue ball (more on that later) will determine how loud the sound of the two balls connecting is. It's pretty cool.
But where the game really shines (but is also a hinderance in some ways) in sthe Control. Instead of a "Power Meter" like in most arcade games, the strength of your shot is determined by how fast you pull back/push forward on your mouse. Similar to TrueSwing in PGA Championship 2000, the mouse is used to gauge how fast your cue stick is moving. You can adjust the angle of the butt, the area where the tip meets the cue ball (to apply english) and the speed of the stick. And it all reacts as if it were real.
The Bad
The Control :)
As much as I love the fact that you use the mouse to determine your cue stick speed, there are TOO many keyboard commands to remember. You almost have to have a command summary to play.
Another thing I can't stand is the fact that you can't play in an overhead view to make your shots. If you go overhead to look at the layout of the table, you can't make your shot. It automatically switches to the "first person" mode.
The Bottom Line
Other than those two things, I enjoy play VP. It's a great pool game for those who don't have the processing power to run the sequels.
Bottom Line: a fantastic pool game worthy of any hard drive.
Windows · by Chris Martin (1155) · 2001
Trivia
Pre-release version
Pre-release versions of the 1995 PC version got leaked. The authorized production version of the game has the code marking ICD-120-0 through ICD-120-5 on each disc. The stolen version CD code is ICD-059-0. According to IPC the stolen version was "being offered for sale at some swap meets, computer fairs and small retail shops" and "contain a defective software program which will not operate properly."
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Contributors to this Entry
Game added by Chris Martin.
DOS added by Trixter. PlayStation added by Adam Baratz. Macintosh added by Jeanne.
Additional contributors: Alaka, skl, Duduzets.
Game added February 15, 2001. Last modified May 29, 2024.