Virtual Pool 64

by Nintendo

Product Features

• N64

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00002STI0
• Media: Game Cartridge
• Release Date: July 20, 1999
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,592 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

GameSpot Review

While some students major in philosophy, and others in physics, there probably aren't many who go to college to get a degree in pool sharking. Well, if any institute for higher education were crazy enough to start such a program, its professors would do well to invest in Virtual Pool 64 as a multimedia teaching aid. While this game lacks extras found in other titles, it has a solid graphics/gameplay engine as close to the real thing as you'll find anywhere.

This title comes packed with nine game types to choose from: 3-Ball, 6-Ball, 8-Ball, 9-Ball, 10-Ball, Rotation Pool, Straight Pool, Bank Pool, and One Pocket. You can use these games to run tournaments, practice, or play a single match. For those who'd rather make their own rules, there's a free-style mode. In addition, a shark-skins mode requires you to clear a table of three, six, and finally nine balls in the fewest strokes possible. Suffice it to say, there's enough variety to satisfy virtually every player's needs.

In terms of control, all the buttons on the controller are put to use - a surprise for a pool game. The analog control used to measure the power behind a stroke works extremely well, although it's rather easy to put too much juice into a stroke and send a ball flying off the table. Fortunately, all the analog sensitivity and button configurations are fully adjustable, so control is not a concern.

Visually, the presentation of the pool table and balls is excellent. Even at the maximum zoom, the balls don't break up or reveal jaggy edges. Thanks to the N64's processing power, the game's practice mode has an option to "see" the projected paths of every hit ball on the table, which is a great way for learning how to calculate the right angle to sink a ball. On the minus side, the pool hall backgrounds are severely bland and not rendered to the same standard. Also, the less-than-inspiring music sounds straight out of a low-budget skin flick and should be turned off at the first possible moment.

But for all of Virtual Pool 64's realism and features, it still comes up lacking because the game offers no incentive to play other than for love of the game. One can only beat "John Q. Balls" and other faceless cheesy-name opponents so many times before the fun wears thin. This game lacks opponents with personalities and deep pockets for betting (Pool Hustler), as well as an engaging story mode that gives players a "quest" as incentive to keep playing (Backstreet Billiards). It also lacks any dedicated modes to test skills specifically on trick shots, which seems rather odd considering that it's a staple in other pool games.

Virtual Pool comes off as a top-notch simulation but a boring game. It's the video game equivalent of a college textbook: great to learn from but not really exciting to read. For anyone wanting to learn more about pool table physics - ball aiming, angles, and so forth - to help them with their real-life skills, this game is a sure-fire choice. It's also a great choice for anyone looking for a great-looking multiplayer pool game. Still, if this title had a little more personality and "fun" extras, it probably would've gotten a much better score. --Nelson Taruc
--Copyright ©1999 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited. GameSpot and the GameSpot logo are trademarks of GameSpot Inc.

Manufacturer Description

The ultra real physics make Virtual Pool 64 as close to the real thing as it gets. Three difficulty levels nine pool types and amazing trick shots will keep you coming back for more. Designed for control stick analog rumble pak and controller pak.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not as bad as it seems, December 28, 1999

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Virtual Pool 64 (Game Cartridge)

Please do not listen to the review written by amazon. This game is not a real boring game. I think that it is fun and is a good learning device. The only problem is there is not to many people to play, but there is skill levels. It is not as bad as it seems and with all the different game types you can play games in the real pool halls that no one's ever played before.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The best pool simulator since "Lunar Pool" for NES, February 28, 2002

By 

Ben Rowland (Toronto, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Virtual Pool 64 (Game Cartridge)

When video game companies come out with boring games like virtual bass fishing and virtual golf, virtual pool doesn't sound much better. But it exceeds all expectations. It is most fun for people who love to play real pool, but also hours of fun for friends to challenge each other.

The game offers no new innovations in the game. There are still the same rules, the same methods of playing, and same difficulties (sinking the cue ball is a common mistake). While playing, you are well aware of the mathematics involved with the game, and you will be muttering to yourself "If I hit this ball, it will bounce back and sink these two balls". It is very addictive. For 1 player mode, you have a series of opponents with varied skills. Unlike a lot of computer opponents, it gives you a fair chance to win. Unlike "Lunar Pool" for NES (still the best pool game in my opinion), there are no crazy courses, it is your standard pool game.

The graphics are bright and colorful, and the ball movements are smooth and lifelike. The sound compliments the graphics well, making it sound like you are in a real pool hall. Everything is here, the slide of the cuestick, the whacking of the balls as they hit one another. Everything is here. The control is easy to understand and manage, and it is more responsive than most N64 sports games tend to be.

While the concept doesn't sound too exciting, the game itself is good fun all around. It doesn't beat playing the actual game, but it is a great party game for friends and gamblers alike.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Virtual Pool 64 Is Darn Good ..., July 12, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Virtual Pool 64 (Game Cartridge)

Virtual Pool 64 Is for those who want to learn how to play POOL.

And for those who simply love the game.

Listen To What The Man Said.

It's Darn Good...