Snooker Video Games

Snooker, the “gentleman’s” game of finesse and skill, has evolved from the green baizes in smokey halls to the digital realm with a click and a flick.

The transition to pixels and virtual physics has been as thrilling as a 147 break. Video games have brought the game to the masses, offering a pocket-sized world of snooker accessible from the comfort of one’s couch.

We rack up with the Commodore 64’s 1984 snooker offering, where the physics were as laughable as the notion of playing without a cue in hand. But, from these humble pixels, an industry grew. The journey saw a cavalcade of titles like ‘Jimmy White’s ‘Whirlwind’ Snooker,’ a game that introduced many to the digital snooker hall during the 90s.

The evolution continued, and today we have titles that are a far cry from their blocky ancestors. On mobile platforms, ‘Snooker Stars’ offers a realistic simulation, with physics and graphics so polished you’d swear you could smell the chalk. For the Windows PC purists, ‘ShootersPool’ delivers a snooker experience that’s as close to the real thing as you can get without a table.

Then there’s ‘Snooker 19,’ the officially licensed snooker virtuoso’s dream, featuring real players, venues, and that sweet sound of ball meeting pocket. It’s available across platforms, including a pocket version for your smartphone. For those who want the virtual felt under their fingers, ‘Pure Pool – Snooker Pack’ on consoles and PC offers an immersive snooker experience with bar-like ambiance and HD graphics.

And let’s not forget ‘Pro Snooker,’ a game that has made its mark on mobile devices with its stunning 3D graphics and a physics engine that beckons you to perfect that top spin on the blue to the middle pocket.

The digital snooker scene is rich and varied, with titles offering everything from a nostalgic nod to the past to a hyper-realistic plunge into the future. The smoky snooker halls may be fading into the mists of time, but on the silicon chip, the game lives on, timeless and ready for the next break-off.

Now, if you want to chalk up your cue and get down to the nitty-gritty of digital snooker, these websites are your portals to the virtual green baize:

For ‘Snooker Stars’: available on Android and iPhone.
‘ShootersPool’ can be downloaded from its official website.
‘Snooker 19’ can be found on Steam and also as ‘WST Snooker’ for Android and iPhone.
‘Pure Pool – Snooker Pack’ is also available on Steam.
And ‘Pro Snooker’ can be pocketed from Android and iPhone.

Each of these games offers a unique angle on the sport, from the physics of the ball to the sheen on the table, providing both casual and hardcore fans with a digital substitute for the real-world game. Whether you’re looking to play a few frames on the go or host an international championship from your living room, there’s a snooker video game waiting for you to take the shot.

Peter tesh – Senior Writer • Snooker News