There are key games built for the Nintendo Wii which should take advantage of the games strengths. These include Golf, Tennis, Boxing and of course Pool Hall games. Playlogic has released the first Pool Hall game I have played on the Wii and in the end there is some fun to be had but how much is determined at your ability to overlook some major design choices and gameplay issues which makes this game feel more like a quick release rather than a serious attempt at creating an authentic pool hall experience.


Gameplay

The gameplay of Pool Hall Pro is hit and miss. It does the actual ball physics very well but everything else from the use of camera angles which “reset” after each shot, the use of the Wii-mote to point on the cue ball to line up your shot might have worked if it was not so inaccurate, the over use of motion controls and well just the use of motion controls make this a forgettable game. The developers should have kept everything simple control wise and not messed around with over using the motion features of the Wii. Just because it has it does not mean you need to use it.

Another thing Pool Hall Pro does well is the sheer amount of features it offers for gameplay such as 8 Ball (US Rules), 9 Ball (US Rules), 9 Ball, 6 Ball, 10 Ball, 15 Ball, Pub Pool, 6 Ball Snooker, 10 Ball Snooker, Snooker and Pocket Billiards. Impressive, since I cannot think of another pool game that offers that many game types. Even the most die-hard pool fan should find something to entertain themselves with here if they like the overall game.


Graphics and Audio

For a Wii game the graphics are average but in a game where you play pool you do not need good graphics. You are just basically knocking balls around a rectangle table with a stick if you want to get to the limited basics of the sport. But even with the lack of next generation graphical processing power of the Wii, the developers should have made a better looking game because this game looks more like it should have been a Wii-Ware title rather than a game you would buy in the stores. Other than the tables and balls the rest of the game just does not look very good.

Audio wise I was shocked at how bad everything was, except for the sound effects which were passable. Not surprising since the sound effects for a game of Billiards would be fairly simple to do. But the music in the game is horrible and while playing it there was comments of it sounding like a bad 70’s porno movie just cheesier. Even in the lowest of budget games we rarely see such bad music.


Value

Even with the large number of options, four player multiplayer and customization features this is one game that just leaves us with a bad taste in our mouth. Some people will find the game fun for a while but in the long run the bad outweighs the good and the fun factor disappears soon after. Though there is much potential in the game if they refined the gameplay controls it would make the game 10x more fun.

Bottom Line

Sadly what little I can say about this game in a good way is so little that I am left with the fact I can only give this a recommendation of “Rent if you are totally bored” because this is one game that should have worked on the Wii but was thrown out the door without any serious work put into the graphics, design, gameplay, audio and controls.