Trickshot Hustler

Back in the day, the pool shark was a favourite movie anti-hero. Blessed with dark, brooding Mediterranean looks, a dangerously-greased bouffant hairdo and a devilish sideways glance, he'd have the girls swooning after him. That is until the foppish lead smothered his smoulder with some depressing good naturedness luck on the final pocket.

Pool game Trickshot Hustler's title screen features a blonde-quiffed chap in an oversized suit who looks like he could take on one of these '80s throwback roles. He's one of your in-game challengers and demonstrates the game will be providing you with a range of opponents as colourful and varied as the balls themselves.

Trickshot Hustler's main feature is its fluid, full-3D engine. As you aim your way into some ill-gained riches, the pool table scrolls around with pleasing grace. In truth though, it's the alternate top-down 2D view you're likely to use most.

It's less impressive to look at, but you get a far clearer view of the table. Unlike some of the other more sim-style pool and snooker games, Trickshot Hustler only shows tracking lines for the results of your first ball collision, so any more complicated chain reaction moves are generally tricky to pull off, meaning you'll need all the visibility you can get.

This isn't helped by the fact that the aiming doesn't feel too precise, with a lack of the minute angle changes you'll sometimes need. Sure, the balls seem to go where they should go, but even after extensive play you feel more like a hustler than a pro - but maybe that sort of arcade looseness is the general idea. Certainly this is no pool sim. Considering the game's title though, perhaps we should ease off before we get a cue round the back of the head.

When it comes to the game's modes, there are two single player on offer, Single Play and Tournament.

Single Play offers is relatively straightforward, offering up to 'best of seven' matches as well as trick shot challenges. The main point of the game however is gaining cash for your victories, so there's always money at stake. In Single Play, you simply choose how much you want to bet on each game, but in Tournament, things are more structured and there are additional cash prizes for each stage.

And although it's not very different from Single Play in terms of gameplay, Tournament is the main offer for pool fans. As you accumulate your stash by working your way through the various opponents, you can also save your progress for another time.

Trickshot Hustler is a less than perfect game then when it comes to the verisimilitude of table arts, but like its archetypal anti-hero it's a looker, and fun to be with too. The variety of pool types, with US and UK 8 ball and 9 ball, complemented by those obligatory trick shots, means it should outlast your cue cravings. There are even two multiplayer types on offer, allowing play on a single handset or via WAP.

So, if the thought of playing pool against a cast of big-suited, big-haired yuppies appeals, then Trickshot Hustler is for you. If not, get out of the bar, put on your penguin suit and go and find one of the many decent snooker sims available.