PSP Game – World Snooker Challenge 2005
You may be wondering why I’ve been playing the 2005 version of this game when the latest 2007 version has just come out. The main reason is that with the release of the World Snooker Challenge 2007, the price of the old version has been pushed down (especially second hand copies), making it a pretty good buy for anyone interested in the game of snooker, who didn’t get the game bundled with their PSP when they first bought it, and doesn’t fancy risking splashing out on the latest full price version.
Having spent countless hours playing Archer McLean’s Snooker on the Atari ST, I was keen to get my hands on a copy of World Snooker Challenge to see what it was like. Initial impressions are good, with the game looking nice and the controls not being complex in the slightest.
Aiming, probably the biggest part of a snooker game, is handled with the use of arrows radiating from the first contact point the cue ball will make with either another ball or the cushion. Shot taking is handled with use of the analogue stick. One of the disappointing things about this game is the inability to freely move around the table and view the ball positioning, meaning you have to rely on the overhead view to get an idea of what can (and cannot) be potted.
Aside from the movement restrictions, World Snooker Challenge is enjoyable (and at times quite tough) to play, but requires some perserverance to get the most out of it. Its not a game you can pick up and play for ten minutes, you really need to spend time understanding the dynamics of the game and the best approach to compete against the AI of each computer player.
I’m not sure what the 2007 version can add to the 2005 version, I’d be interested to see if some of the minor niggles that have surfaced over the last week have been eradicated, and if it adds anything to the playing experience.