Producer: M.A.D.
Retail Price: £2.99

Pool can never be the same again after you've taken your cue to a hexagonal table.

As in the standard game, coloured balls have to be hit into six pockets using the white cue ball. A cursor is used to align the cue ball and a coloured object ball with the pocket. By creating the right angle the coloured ball can be hit into a pocket. Six of the coloured balls may be hit into the pockets in any order, but the black must be left till last, or a foul shot is incurred and the game lost.

Different types of spin (top, side and back) can be given to the cue ball, causing it to react after striking the coloured ball. In this way a good position can be achieved for the next shot. A shot's strength is regulated by altering the length of the cue in the box at the bottom right of the screen.

For every ball potted, points are awarded. When all the balls on the table have been potted the frame is over and another one can be played with a different arrangement of balls. (A frame designer allows you to add your own ball arrangements.) If three shots are missed, the game is over and it's time to hang up your cue.

A frame-designer allows you to set up your own starting position.

COMMENTS

Joysticks: Cursor, Kempston, Sinclair
Graphics: simple but clear
Sound: informative bells, whistles
Options: redefinable keys, or two players or one player versus computer, frame designer

A nice variation on snooker, this, though I can't really see people going out in their droves to purchase it. I'd love to play the full-size table version - the computer version seems to have quite a bit of trouble when working out the correct angles from your spin, speed and table position. The one-player game is the most challenging, and though Angleball will be fun for the snooker/pool/eight-ball fanatics, it won't be too attractive to anyone else.
PAUL [51%]

The new-style hexagonal snooker table makes computer snooker easier, bringing the idea of clearing away all the balls within the realms of possibility. It doesn't take as long to get bored with Angleball as it does with every other snooker game (Including the televised, professional type). But perhaps the strength factor needs a bit of tweaking - I find that either you give the shot full power and the cue ball trickles along into the hole, or you fry to kiss the pink and the cue ball trickles along till it comes within close range of a ball. And if you do happen to make a mistake, or find a screen where you can't get a clear break, you'll need more than the stingy three misses you're allowed. BUT, this is the best snooker simulation yet
BYM [60%]

Well, what is Angleball? is it some type of hexagonal snooker? Has Dennis Taylor got to get a pair of even weirder glasses? Well, actually it's quite a good simulation. Do you remember way, way back when a game just called Snooker was released (the days of no loading screens!)? This one's very similar. The balls are all different colours, and as usual in simulations, there's plenty of colour clash. And when you hit a ball with your cue it doesn't roll, it just hovers! But once you've got used to it you can get a lot of fun out of Angleball. It's one to play on a rainy night (probably in where 99.9% of the rain falls!)
NICK [42%]

M.A.D.
£1.99
Reviewer: Lucy Broadbent

When it comes to potting balls, chalking up and leaning over the green baize nothing beats a testing game of Pool. Except perhaps a new computer game from MAD, which will have you glued to your screen, not stuck to the bar waiting for your turn in the pub.

Based on the traditional game of Pool but played on a hexagonal table, it'll sort the Steven Hendry's from the plebs. It needs skill and thought which, whether played against a partner or the computer, make it not only an exciting game, but also good practice for real-life Pool-shooting.

Choosing from a selection of frames, your aim is to clear the table of balls, saving the black until last and accumulating points. But it's taking the shot that requires the accuracy and it's that which makes it exciting. Position the cursor at the aiming point to which the cue ball will move, choosing your angle either next to one of the balls or on the cushion; then set a spin on the cue ball with its separate diagram; and finally decide the speed of the shot and fire. The computer will then take the shot exactly as you have arranged. But take your time, you're only allowed three misses.

It's simple and better than the real game because the smoke won't get in you eyes, and if you're not very good at Pool, you don't have to find yourself an unwilling donkey to suffer your game playing.

Label: M.A.D.
Price: £2.99
Memory: 48K/128K
Joystick: various
Reviewer: Tony Dillon

An old idea with a fresh twist. Well, admit it. Very few of the games released today are purely rehashes of old favs. Everyone likes pool. Let's give the table 6 sides instead of 4. And there you have it, a completely original concept.

Angle Ball has 6 sides, 8 balls and 6 pockets. The idea of the game it to pot the balls in any order, potting the black last. You must position a cursor over the ball of your choice and in whatever direction. Then you must select spin and pull your cue back to as far from the ball as you want to signify power of the shot.

This game is great and its great fun.

Crazy pool from MASTERTRONIC.

PLAYED on a hexagonal table with six pockets, this basic pool game has the player competing against the computer or a friend in an attempt to win 20 different frames.

The computer opponent has three skill levels; on the easiest level he rarely manages to pot a shot but on the third level he rarely misses. When you line up for a shot you get the chance to use a variety of spins on your cue ball in an attempt to line up the next shot.

As a variant on a clapped out theme Angle Ball is not at all bad. It's different enough to keep you playing for a short while at least

Reviewer: Andy Smith

RELEASE BOX
C64/128, £1.99cs, Imminent
Spec, £1.99cs, Reviewed
Ams, £1.99cs, Imminent
MSX, £1.99cs, Imminent

Predicted Interest Curve

1 min: 50/100
1 hour: 60/100
1 day: 50/100
1 week: 30/100
1 month: 20/100
1 year: 0/100