[{"TitleName":"Pool","Publisher":"Abrasco","Author":"K. Eaves","YearOfRelease":"1983","ZxDbId":"0003821","Reviews":[{"Issue":{"Name":"Crash Issue 1, Feb 1984","Price":"£0.75","ReleaseDate":"1984-01-19","Editor":"Roger Kean","TotalPages":112,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Roger Kean\r\nDesigner: Oliver Frey\r\nConsultant Editor: Franco Frey\r\nStaff Writers: Lloyd Mangram, Rod Bellamy\r\nAdvertisement Manager: John Edwards\r\nProduction Designer: Michael Arienti\r\n\r\n©1984 Newsfield Ltd.\r\n\r\nCrash Micro is published monthly by Newsfield Ltd. [redacted]\r\n\r\nNo material may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent from the copyright holders.\r\n\r\nMono printing, typesetting & finishing by Feb Edge Litho Ltd. [redacted]\r\nColour printing by Allan-Denver Web Offset Ltd. [redacted].\r\nColour origination by Scan Studios, [redacted]\r\nDistributed by Wells Gardner, Darton & Co. [redacted]\r\n\r\nSubscriptions: 12 issues £9.00 UK Mainland (post included)\r\nEurope: 12 issues £15 (post included).\r\nSingle copy: 75p\r\n\r\nIf you would like to contribute to CRASH please send articles or ideas for projects to the above address. Articles should be typed. We cannot undertake to return them unless accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope\r\n\r\nCover Illustration:Oliver Frey"},"MainText":"Producer: Abrasco, 48K\r\n£6.95\r\nAuthor: K Eaves\r\n\r\nA sudden flurry of interest in Pool makes for some interesting comparisons. One of the newer ones is this version from Abrasco for two to eight players, with the option of playing a league. As usual, the cue ball is controlled by a small cursor dot - in this case the cue ball travels towards the cursor, which is controlled by use of the cursor keys (slow and fine tuning) or the zero key for fast positioning. A very clear strength bar indicator is used to determine the distance the cue ball will travel, and is positioned with keys 5 or 8 (min/max). Considering the limitations of the Spectrum and TV screens generally, the graphics are quite good and the movement of the balls is convincingly accurate though terribly busy. Game rules are a close copy of the real game, the bills are marked as spots or stripes and you loses turn for a foul shot. Good.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"60","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":null,"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Crash Issue 2, Mar 1984","Price":"£0.75","ReleaseDate":"1984-02-23","Editor":"Roger Kean","TotalPages":112,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Roger Kean\r\nDesigner: Oliver Frey\r\nConsultant Editor: Franco Frey\r\nStaff Writers: Lloyd Mangram, Rod Bellamy\r\nAdvertisement Manager: John Edwards\r\nProduction Designer: Michael Arienti\r\n\r\n©1984 Newsfield Ltd.\r\n\r\nCrash Micro is published monthly by Newsfield Ltd. [redacted]\r\n\r\nNo material may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent from the copyright holders.\r\n\r\nMono printing, typesetting & finishing by Feb Edge Litho Ltd. [redacted]\r\nColour printing by Allan-Denver Web Offset Ltd. [redacted].\r\nColour origination by Scan Studios, [redacted]\r\nDistributed by Wells Gardner, Darton & Co. [redacted]\r\n\r\nSubscriptions: 12 issues £9.00 UK Mainland (post included)\r\nEurope: 12 issues £15 (post included).\r\nSingle copy: 75p\r\n\r\nIf you would like to contribute to CRASH please send articles or ideas for projects to the above address. Articles should be typed. We cannot undertake to return them unless accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope\r\n\r\nCover Illustration:Oliver Frey"},"MainText":"Producer: Abrasco, 48K\r\n£6.95\r\nAuthor: K Eaves\r\n\r\nA sudden flurry of interest in Pool makes for some interesting comparisons. One of the newer ones is this version from Abrasco for two to eight players, with the option of playing a league. As usual, the cue ball is controlled by a small cursor dot - in this case the cue ball travels towards the cursor, which is controlled by use of the cursor keys (slow and fine tuning) or the zero key for fast positioning. A very clear strength bar indicator is used to determine the distance the cue ball will travel, and is positioned with keys 5 or 8 (min/max). Considering the limitations of the Spectrum and TV screens generally, the graphics are quite good and the movement of the balls is convincingly accurate though terribly busy. Game rules are a close copy of the real game, the bills are marked as spots or stripes and you loses turn for a foul shot. Good.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"62","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":null,"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Crash Issue 4, May 1984","Price":"£0.75","ReleaseDate":"1984-04-19","Editor":"Roger Kean","TotalPages":128,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Roger Kean\r\nConsultant Editor: Franco Frey\r\nProduction Designer: David Western\r\nArt Editor: Oliver Frey\r\nClient Liaison: John Edwards\r\nStaff Writer: Lloyd Mangram\r\nContributing Writers: Matthew Uffindel, Chris Passey\r\nSubscription Manager: Denise Roberts\r\n\r\n©1984 Newsfield Ltd.\r\nCrash Micro is published monthly by Newsfield Ltd. [redacted]\r\n\r\nTelephone numbers\r\nEditorial [redacted]\r\nSubscriptions [redacted]\r\nAdvertising [redacted]\r\nHot Line [redacted]\r\nNo material may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent from the copyright holders.\r\n\r\nColour origination by Scan Studio, [redacted]\r\nPrinted in England by Plymouth Web Offset Ltd, [redacted].\r\nDistribution by Comag, [redacted]\r\nAdditional setting and process work by The Tortoise Shell Press, [redacted].\r\n\r\nSubscriptions: 12 issues £9.00 UK Mainland (post free)\r\nEurope: 12 issues £15 (post free).\r\n\r\nWe cannot undertake to return any written or photographic material sent to CRASH MICRO unless accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope.\r\n\r\nCover by Oliver Frey"},"MainText":"Producer: Abrasco, 48K\r\n£6.95\r\nAuthor: K Eaves\r\n\r\nA sudden flurry of interest in Pool makes for some interesting comparisons. One of the newer ones is this version from Abrasco for two to eight players, with the option of playing a league. As usual, the cue ball is controlled by a small cursor dot - in this case the cue ball travels towards the cursor, which is controlled by use of the cursor keys (slow and fine tuning) or the zero key for fast positioning. A very clear strength bar indicator is used to determine the distance the cue ball will travel, and is positioned with keys 5 or 8 (min/max). Considering the limitations of the Spectrum and TV screens generally, the graphics are quite good and the movement of the balls is convincingly accurate though terribly busy. Game rules are a close copy of the real game, the bills are marked as spots or stripes and you loses turn for a foul shot. Good.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"65","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":null,"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Personal Computer Games Issue 6, May 1984","Price":"£0.75","ReleaseDate":"1984-04-19","Editor":"Chris Anderson","TotalPages":168,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Chris Anderson\r\nProduction Editor: Roderick George\r\nArt Editor: Ian Findlay\r\nTechnical Editor: Stuart Cooke\r\nStaff Writers: Steve Cooke, Peter Connor\r\nEditorial Assistant: Samantha Hemens\r\nSoftware Consultant: Tony Takoushi\r\nCartoons: Kipper Williams\r\nProgram Control Guardians: Jeff Riddle\r\nScreenshots: Chris Bell\r\nCover Illustration: Pat Weedon\r\nGroup Editor: Cyndy Miles\r\nArt Director: Jim Dansie\r\nGroup Publisher: John Cade\r\nPublisher: Mark Eisen\r\nAssistant Publishing Manager: Sue Clements\r\nPublishing Secretary: Jenny Dunne\r\nAdvertising Manager: Herbert Wright\r\nAssistant Advertisement Manager: Jan Martin\r\nGroup Advertisement Manager: Mike Caroll\r\nAdvertisement Production: Simon Carter\r\nAdvertisement Assistant: Coraline Turner\r\nSales Executives: Joey Davies, Marion O'Neill\r\n\r\nPublished by VNU Business Publications, [redacted]. Typesetting by Spectrum Typesetting, [redacted] Origination by Fourmost Colour [redacted]. Printed and bound by Chase Web Offset [redacted]. © VNU Business Publications 1984."},"MainText":"THE VIDEO SPORTSMAN\r\n\r\nWant to be a demon driver? Or a golfing wizard? Or a master of the big break? We load up the motor race, golf and pool simulations.\r\n\r\nMOTOR RACING\r\n\r\nThe family will gasp in awe as you hurtle round the track, defying death at every bend and only occasionally have to be scraped off a billboard. Peter Connor enjoys the best of micro motor racing.\r\n\r\nThe trouble with motor racing is that it's far too dangerous, it's all very well driving round Silverstone at 200 mph looking forward to a bottle of champagne and a kiss from a beautiful blonde, but what happens if you crash? Most likely third-degree burns and three months in traction. And that's if you're lucky.\r\n\r\nSuch risks can be avoided, without losing too much of the excitement, by the simple trick of putting a racing simulation on your home computer. And there's no need to buy expensive cars or get oil all over your hands.\r\n\r\nBut which team do you want to drive for? On the Spectrum, racing correspondents think that Psion's Chequered Flag is the one to watch.\r\n\r\nPOWERFUL\r\n\r\nThis is a powerful program for the 48K model with many excellent features.\r\n\r\nYou're given a choice of ten tracks, some real and some imaginary. Three cars are available, two with manual gears and one, the McFaster Special, automatic.\r\n\r\nIt is advisable for the novice to use the McFaster, since one of the difficulties with this program is the number of keys you have to manipulate.\r\n\r\nChequered Flag's graphics are quite superb. The screen displays the dashboard and bonnet of the car. Ahead of you stretches the road, jet black against the rich green of the fields.\r\n\r\nSteering around the dog-legs of Brands Hatch or the tight bends of Monaco takes time to master, especially if the road is covered with oil, water, glass or even rocks. Once you get up some speed you must keep a close eye on the instruments or you could be forced to pull into the pits because of over-heating.\r\n\r\nEven the sound is almost convincing in this enthralling Spectrum game.\r\n\r\nENTERTAINING\r\n\r\nIn Chequered Flag it's just you and the car against the track and the clock. Road Racer, from Thom-EMI, is the other kind of motor racing program, in which you have to overtake other cars.\r\n\r\nThis is only a 16K program, so it's not surprising that it isn't quite as impressive as Psion's. But it's still good value and an entertaining game. The graphics are good with a blue mountain range forming a backdrop to the black track. The cars themselves come in a variety of primary colours.\r\n\r\nThe object is simply to pass as many cars as possible. Here too you must watch the instruments [or imminent over-heating. Although the game is fun, there is not really enough variety in the track to hold the players attention for very long.\r\n\r\nSalamander's Grand Prix for the Dragon is unlikely to have you trembling with excitement. In fact. there's a good chance you'll fall asleep at the wheel. In this game for one or two players the 'cars' are merely minute black dots. It's more like racing fleas than motor-cars.\r\n\r\nThere's a choice of tracks, but it doesn't do any good. The two-player game is only marginally less tedious.\r\n\r\nMicrodeal's Morocco Grand Prix is a better bet for the car crazy Dragon owner. Here you view the track from above. You bring you own car on to it from the side and try to overtake as many rival cars as possible. The screen scrolls down, unfortunately giving you the impression that all the other cars are going backwards. But the graphics are otherwise quite good and the sound gives a tolerable imitation of a crashing noise. It's by no means a great program, but when you compare it with the opposition...\r\n\r\nEXCITING\r\n\r\nLe Mans, on the Commodore 64, takes its name from the famous 24-hour race in France. On the computer game you also have to drive by night as well as by day.\r\n\r\nThe track is seen from above and, as usual, you must pass as many cars as possible. Although there are no bends on this track there are plenty of chicanes and obstacles. Night driving is exciting; the screen goes dark and you see only the tail lights of cars in front.\r\n\r\nLe Mans' graphics are strong and the sound features excellent acceleration and overtaking noises.\r\n\r\nUNRIVALLED\r\n\r\nPole Position, for Atari computers, is unrivaled in micro motor racing, both in quality and price. It has essentially the same graphics as the arcade game, which means that they are superb: blue skies, snow-capped mountains and excellent cars with spinning wheels. The sound is a deafening roar of engines as you hurtle around your choice of the four tracks.\r\n\r\nIn almost every respect Pole Position is superior to other micro racing games. But when you pause to consider the price - £29.95 you realise that it ought to be the best. If it weren't, you might justifiably ask for your money back.\r\n\r\nOf the other programs considered both Chequered Flag and Le Mans stand out for the quality of their graphics and their lasting interest.\r\n\r\nGame: Road Racer (Thorn-EMI)\r\nMachine: Spectrum 16/48K\r\nJoystick: Optional\r\nPrice: £6.95\r\nOverall Rating: 5/10\r\n\r\nGame: Grand Prix (Salamander)\r\nMachine: Dragon\r\nJoystick: Necessary\r\nPrice: £7.95\r\nOverall Rating: 2/10\r\n\r\nGame: Morocco Grand Prix\r\nMachine: Dragon 32 (Microdeal)\r\nJoystick: Necessary\r\nPrice: £8.00\r\nOverall Rating: 5/10\r\n\r\nGame: Le Mans (Commodore)\r\nMachine: Commodore 64\r\nJoystick: Paddle Only\r\nPrice: £9.99\r\nOverall Rating: 7/10\r\n\r\nGame: Chequered Flag (Psion)\r\nMachine: Spectrum 48K\r\nJoystick: No\r\nPrice: £6.95\r\nOverall Rating: 8/10\r\n\r\nGame: Pole Position (Atari)\r\nMachine: Atari 400, 600, XL\r\nJoystick: Necessary\r\nPrice: £29.95\r\nOverall Rating: 9/10\r\n\r\nGOLF\r\n\r\nDrive, chip and putt - without so much as a practice swing. Steve Cooke says which golf games are up to par.\r\n\r\nGolf isn't exactly the most strenuous of sports, but if you're too lazy to venture out into the great outdoors, you can now play a brisk 18 holes from the comfort of your armchair as you gaze into your micro's monitor. In a recent series of tournaments, held in the PCG offices, the results were as follows. First, the Spectrum Open, played in fine weather with challenging performances from six contenders. First prize in this competition went to Abrasco for their well-presented game Golf played in gusting winds over nine holes. They even managed to cram their performance into 16K, giving them an edge over CRL, who were narrowly beaten into second place.\r\n\r\nAbrasco's Golf has bold, clear graphics and a good choice of clubs. Information concerning your score and par is clearly displayed on the screen at all times. This program is also available on the Commodore 64.\r\n\r\nLEISURELY\r\n\r\nCRL's Handicap Golf boasted animated 3D graphics, which do add some interest to the presentation of the game, but not to the actual playing. A nice choice of clubs were available to sec you through 18 holes, but the action was perhaps slightly too leisurely, and the ball occasionally difficult to see.\r\n\r\nDK'tronics struggled into third place with acceptable graphics, a reasonable choice of clubs, and up to 18 holes. Honourable mention must also be given to R&R for a very simple 16K game that changes hands for only £3.75. However this program doesn't offer you a choice of clubs.\r\n\r\nOther contenders in the Spectrum Open included Virgin and Lyversoft. Virgin do versions for both 16K and 48K machines, but the graphics are poor and the presentation unimpressive. Lyversoft's was much more credible, though it was impossible to see the ball in flight - it just appeared somewhere as if by magic. This would be the equivalent of a real golfer teeing off with eyes shut, and trying to spot the ball after it had come to rest!\r\n\r\nOric owners can also potter round either a nine- or 18-hole course with a version of R&R's game converted for their machine. Unfortunately they'll have to pay rather more for it. No choice of clubs severely limits the interest of this game.\r\n\r\nTeams competing in the BBC Masters included Birdie Barrage from Computasolve and Supergolf from Squirrel Software.\r\n\r\nSupergolf departs from the usual format by displaying the course from a different angle (see screen shot). Instead of choosing the direction of your shot, you have to choose your clubs carefully to put the ball on the right trajectory.\r\n\r\nThe graphics on Supergolf were simple but very well done. Getting out of the bunker involves chucking a lot of sand about, and there are some nice splashes in the water hazards. The game is also available on the Electron.\r\n\r\nCHUNKY\r\n\r\nBirdie Barrage took second place with the usual display format, rather chunky graphics, and garish colours. It doesn't tell you how many shots you've had on a particular hole until you've finished but putting is given an added twist by varying conditions of the green.\r\n\r\nIf you're a Dragon owner, then Tee-Off from Dragon Data tries to capture the realism of the game with a small animated figure. He walks slowly and jerkily about the screen, poking his (unidentifiable) club at the ball. You need a joystick to play, and pressing the button makes the player swing his club and, you hope, hit the ball in the right direction.\r\n\r\nTee-Off is a brave attempt but you can't choose clubs, and after the novelty has worn off the limitations of the game cause one to lose interest. For a more conventional (and more interesting) game on the Dragon try Salamander's Golf, which uses the Stableford scoring system and accepts 2-4 players.\r\n\r\nHOW GOLF GAMES WORK\r\n\r\nMost golf games give the player an aerial view of each hole, with a close-up shot of the green to help accurate putting. First you select your club and then you input the direction of your shot using either a clock-face (or in some programs the points of the compass) as a reference. You then choose how hard you want to hit the ball.\r\n\r\nChoice of clubs usually includes one or two woods, up to nine irons, and in some games a wedge or sand-iron. The distance the ball travels depends on the strength (usually input on a scale 0-100) and of course your choice of club.\r\n\r\nSupergolf from Squirrel Software, has a different angle of view (see screen shot). You don't input a direction (which is chosen automatically) but you have to be very careful in your choice of clubs if you are going to clear the obstacles.\r\n\r\nGame: Oric Golf (R&R)\r\nMachine: Oric 48K\r\nPrice: £5.95\r\nOverall Rating: 4/10\r\n\r\nGame: Golf (Salamander)\r\nMachine: Dragon\r\nPrice: £7.95\r\nOverall Rating: 5/10\r\n\r\nGame: Golf (Lyversoft)\r\nMachine: Spectrum 48K\r\nPrice: £5.95\r\nOverall Rating: 5/10\r\n\r\nGame: Birdie Barrage\r\nMachine: BBC (Computasolve)\r\nPrice: £7.95\r\nOverall Rating: 4/10\r\n\r\nGame: SuperGolf (Squirrel)\r\nMachine: BBC or Electron\r\nPrice: £7.50\r\nOverall Rating: 6/10\r\n\r\nGame: Golf (R&R)\r\nMachine: Spectrum 16/48K\r\nPrice: £3.75\r\nOverall Rating: 4/10\r\n\r\nGame: Golf (DK'Tronics)\r\nMachine: Spectrum 48K\r\nPrice: £4.95\r\nOverall Rating: 5/10\r\n\r\nGame: Tee-Off (Dragon Data)\r\nMachine: Dragon\r\nPrice: £7.95\r\nOverall Rating: 4/10\r\n\r\nGame: Golf (Virgin)\r\nMachine: Spectrum 48K\r\nPrice: £7.95\r\nOverall Rating: 4/10\r\n\r\nGame: Handicap Golf (CRL)\r\nMachine: Spectrum 48K\r\nPrice: £5.95\r\nOverall Rating: 6/10\r\n\r\nGame: Golf (Abrasco)\r\nMachine: Spectrum 16/48K\r\nPrice: £6.95\r\nOverall Rating: 7/10\r\n\r\nPOOL\r\n\r\nMove over Steve Davis. Peter 'Hurricane' Connor gives a break-down of the green baize micro games.\r\n\r\nIf you sincerely want to misspend your youth, snooker is still the best way to do it. But you no longer need to spend endless days in smoke-filled halls where the only sounds are of cues being chalked and criminal acts being planned. The miracle of modern technology means that now you can break the pack, sink a red, screw back for a colour, come off the cushion for another red and go on to make a 147 break - all in the comfort of that well-used armchair in front of your computer.\r\n\r\nVisions produce Snooker for five different micros: BBC, Electron, Spectrum, Commodore 64 and Vic 20.\r\n\r\nOn the BBC the game is one of the best versions available. The graphics are superb, with a brilliant green table and blue cushions. All the colours are clearly distinguishable, from yellow through to pink - the only version I've seen where this is so.\r\n\r\nREALISTIC\r\n\r\nYour shot is controlled by moving a cross to the point on the object ball you want to hit, thus giving a high degree of accuracy. Strength of shot is easy to change and it's also possible to put spin on the ball. The behaviour of the balls is most realistic and the sound nicely mimics the familiar click of ivory on ivory.\r\n\r\nYou can't expect the same quality on the Vic 20, which is a good thing, because you don't get it. Visions' Snooker, for 3K expansion, bears little resemblance to the BBC version. It has nearly all the same features, but is not as sophisticated.\r\n\r\nRather than a cross you have a tiny black dot to position the cue. This is sometimes lost either against the table or one of the balls. The graphics are slightly unclear and the green of the baize is too vibrant.\r\n\r\nNot everyone, though, wants to play snooker. Some people find the large table intimidating. Those with poor eyesight can't see the balls, let alone hit them. Pool, played on a smaller table with fewer balls, is a more suitable game.\r\n\r\nSince pool, like snooker, is played on a table covered with green baize it seems to be exactly the right kind of game for the Dragon, whose screen display is greener than the grass on the proverbial other side.\r\n\r\nCLEAR\r\n\r\nMicrodeal's Eight Ball, for the Dragon, is one of the better pool games around. The Dragon's green is just the job here, The display is very clear, with red striped balls and blue solids.\r\n\r\nSighting before you make your shot is particularly good in this version: a solid line from the ball indicates your cue position while a flashing line shows the path the cue-ball will take. This makes it easier to hit the object than in the real thing.\r\n\r\nAnother excellent feature is that the player can put spin on the cue-ball. This is done by positioning a spot on a ball displayed above the table, The computer then simulates the cue-ball striking the target ball with whatever spin - top, back or side - you've selected.\r\n\r\nThis means that you have a high degree of control over your game. The balls move very realistically when struck and the sound is almost the same as the real thing.\r\n\r\nAbrasco's Pool, for the 48K Spectrum, is not really in the same class. Although the graphics are reasonable the balls have a jerky, creeping motion reminiscent of ants on the move.\r\n\r\nAiming, too, is strange. You move a circle round the cushion using the cursor keys but must place it 'in the direction from which you want to hit the ball'. Admittedly, this is the way you do it in the real game, but on the screen it can make things very awkward.\r\n\r\nThe program doesn't allow you to apply spin, but it does register fouls. Also included is a facility for up to eight people to play in a league.\r\n\r\nThe ragtime theme music from the film 'The Sting' introduces CDS's Pool for the 16 or 48K Spectrum. In this version there are only seven balls on the table, the cue-ball, three red and three blue. The graphics are clear and colourful and again your shot is aimed by moving the cursor round the cushion. Unfortunately there is no spin facility and the program does not register fouls. But for those with only 16K machines it's not a bad buy.\r\n\r\nZANY\r\n\r\nBilliards is traditionally thought of as a more gentlemanly game than snooker or pool. You play it after a superb dinner to the accompaniment of brandy and cigars. Dinner jackets are worn.\r\n\r\nRomik's Pottit, for the Commodore 64, is a zany and aggressive version, for two players, of this formerly peaceful game. If you can imagine two people trying to play billiards at the same time you will get something of the flavour of the game.\r\n\r\nOn the table there are three balls: black, white and red. Using joysticks the players control a ball each and try to pot the white. It's great fun as the players jockey for position and frantically try to manoeuvre their balls. Romik wisely advise players that 'bending the joysticks will not make the balls go any faster,'\r\n\r\nINNOVATIONS\r\n\r\nSo whither snooker simulations? How will this game develop in future micro incarnations? A way forward is pointed out by a feature of Microdeal's Eight Ball. The ball is sometimes struck before you've released the fire-button on your stick. 'This', says the blurb, 'is a random selection designed to simulate the player mis-hitting the cue-ball.'\r\n\r\nThere's clearly great potential here: beer spilled on the table, fights over whose turn it is or even 'game over due to cue ripping the cloth.' Fortunately we'll have to wait some time for these innovations to be programmed into commercially available software!\r\n\r\nGame: Eight Ball (Microdeal)\r\nPrice: £8.00\r\nMachine: Dragon 32\r\nJoystick: Necessary\r\nOverall Rating: 8/10\r\n\r\nGame: Pool (Abrasco)\r\nPrice: £6.95\r\nMachine: Spectrum 48K\r\nJoystick: No\r\nOverall Rating: 4/10\r\n\r\nGame: Pool (CDS)\r\nPrice: £5.95\r\nMachine: Spectrum 16/48K\r\nJoystick: No\r\nOverall Rating: 6/10\r\n\r\nGame: Pottit (Romik)\r\nPrice: £6.99\r\nMachine: Commodore 64\r\nJoystick: Necessary\r\nOverall Rating: 6/10\r\n\r\nGame: Snooker (Visions)\r\nPrice: £8.95\r\nMachine: BBC\r\nJoystick: Optional\r\nOverall Rating: 7/10\r\n\r\nGame: Snooker (Visions)\r\nPrice: £8.95\r\nMachine: Vic 20 + 3K\r\nJoystick: Optional\r\nOverall Rating: 5/10","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"40,41,42,43","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Peter Connor","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Steve Cooke","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"Clockwise: Psion's Chequered Flag, Commodore's Le Mans and Atari's Pole Position"},{"Text":"Top to bottom: Squirrel's Supergolf, CRL's Handicap Golf and Abrasco's Golf"},{"Text":"Top to bottom: Microdeal's Eight Ball, CDS's Pool, Romik's Pottit and Vision's BBC Snooker."}],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall Rating","Score":"4/10","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]}]}]