Publisher - Crave Entertainment
Developer - Celeris
Platform - N64
Release Date - October 2 1998
Type - Simulation

Crave Entertainment seems to be intent on creating every single niche title for N64. The latest offering, Virtual Pool 64 gives N64 owners the chance to play ultra-realistic pool, without the risk of getting hustled by some small-town pool demon with a dirty glove.

Up to two players select from four different modes

*Pool Hall
*Billiard Club Tournament
*Regional Tournament
*World Championships

You then choose from nine different types of pool, including Blank Pool, 9-Ball, Straight Pool, 8-Ball (BCA Rule, American Bar or English Pub) and One Pocket. We have yet to see a playable version of the game, but Crave tells us that you can move the cue stick with the analog stick and easily adjust spin, impact point and strength with the help of an innocative one-button control. Crave says that from the initial jolt of the stick impacting the cue ball to the crack of the break, VR Pool 64 is the real deal. Of course, each impact is accompanied by the appropriate rumble from the optional Rumble Pak.

Virtual Pool offers three levels of difficulty: Amateur, Professional and Championship and the ability to adjust the table characteristics for your liking (pocket size, pocket cut, rail cushioning and table speed). Pool afficionados will also be happy to hear that the game features full stats support and tracks how many games you have played, how many you have won, the ball making average, balls made per turn, shots at 9-ball and 9-ball shots made.

Thanks to the N64's floating point capabilities, the game is said to feature a realistic physics model with extremely accurate ball collision trajectories. Although pool games are not known for their graphic prowess, Virtual Pool will feature detailed 3D environments and tables. But Celeris, the developer is working hard on creating specular highlights on all objects, and realtime, beautiful lighting effects on the table, rails and balls.

The game supports memory paks to save games and tournaments as well as player statistics.

We will have more on Virtual Pool 64 soon.