Jimmy White's Whirlwind Snooker

           Programmed by Archer Maclean, for Virgin games

                      Reviewed by Stephen Corry



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                        CLONES REVISITED

   In the past, there have been many attempts at bringing the brilliant game
  of snooker, to screens of the computer user.

   But every attempt failed, leaving nothing more than the cliche overhead
  view, and a lot of luck, rather than judgement when it came to potting
  anything.

   Steve Davis snooker I feel came pretty close to the mark on ye olde ZX
  Speccy - allowing you to select an array of cue ball spins - but it still
  missed the mark in the reality department.

   ENTER Mr Maclean, and his friend Lord Jimmy - ultimately the greatest
  player in England, with a game of equal power.


                      STIMULATING SIMULATION

   This is no game, but a total simulation - played on a real 12' x 6' table,
  with true samples - adding real authenticity to the whole package.

   But what value for money - 2 manuals (instructions and rules/history
  book), a free bit of chalk (in the ltd edition packages), and a poster of
  the master himself.

   Hey - you even get a little black program disk too (which is a pretty good
  idea, else you wouldn't be able to play the game!!!)


                  INTRODUCING TOM, DICK and HARRY

   Yes, the world famous trio have been snapped up by Virgin, and licensed to
  play in this EXCELLENT simulator!

   These guys, along with the MASTER, are your four opponents.

   You can of course play against a friend - but the computer's better, as it
  can't hit you when you joke about it's last shot.

   So, how do they match up?  Tom is an easy opponent, though when he's on
  form, he's a hard critter to beat.

   Dick and Harry are quite strong, but Mr Jimmy is unbeatable.  Though he
  does indeed make mistakes - it's usually long after he's logged a good
  century break.


                    THE HEAD TO HEAD - BUT NO COMP!

   Sadly the computer lacks an option to start some form of competition, or
  keep track of frames.  This I feel is it's only criticism.

   Instead, you must keep track of championship scores and frames on paper -
  which is no big deal, when you consider what must have gone into the
  creation of this MEGA program.

   But on the plus - if you have a free floppy, whack it in after the
  programs booted up, and you can keep a log of all the highest scores and
  breaks that you make.


                 SO, THE GAMES STARTED - NOW WHAT?

   This sim is 100% mouse driven, and there are endless features to view ANY
  ball on the table, from any view point, at any range.

   This goes for the table too - allowing you to accurately determine just
  how you should play a shot, and where you want the cue ball to go
  afterwards.

   To help you further - you can have access to a long dotted line, which
  aids in lining up shots, and helps to get out of snookers.

   A chalk icon allows you to chalk the cue when placing various spins on the
  cue ball - avoiding nasty miss-cues.

   It was here that I spent hours trying to chalk the cue on the monitor with
  my free bit of chalk, but it was to no avail.  So I tried instead to use
  the chalking option in the game, which worked much better.

   You determine the strength of the cue ball strike, by sliding a little cue
  back and forth - then selecting a cue ball icon, will play your shot.

   Again there are options to view the play from all over the place - and
  even track the cue ball as it speeds across the green baize.


                           THE VERDICT

   Where can you go from here?  The game features the full rules, including
  the often excluded free-ball option.

   The game will require patience, concentration and PEACE - so it's a good
  idea to tie your Sis up for a few hours, take the phone off the hook, and
  lock your bedroom door (provided this is where you keep your computer).

   Don't expect to master this game overnight - Do expect several hammerings
  by Tom.

   I recommend this for all, as even if you can't master the computer
  opponents - you can take on a friend for a more even match.

   With smooth running graphics, endless features, and a nice user friendly
  feel with the program - PLUS it's HUGE documentation - I rate JWWS 9/10.


                            JIMMY TIPS

   Mess about in the TRICK SHOT editor for a while - here you can practise
  your potting skills, and learn how to line up for other balls.

   Rather than whinge about the computer opponents potting weird balls -
  study just what it was they did, then practise similar shots.  This adds to
  a better understanding of the game.

   As an addition to the above, try taking on Jimmy - you won't win - but you
  can study further how shots are played, and see just how REAL this
  simulator really is.

   For extra practise - go into the 2 player mode, and play against yourself.
  BUT DON'T GO SETTING YOURSELF UP FOR EASY SHOTS!!!  Kinda defeats the idea
  of learning and practising else, hey!

   NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP!  Even after being 1-31 down against TOM, I still
  managed to beat him 57-43 - courtesy of a kool 24 break - which my fans
  applauded me for (thank you - I luv you all!!!).

                             ########
                             # NOTE #
                             ########

   Though not documented in the manual - you CAN observe a 147 break, as
  follows:-

    1.  Select TRICK SHOT editor

    2.  Press F7, F4 then F1, and ESCAPE from the editor

    3.  Go into DEMO mode, and you should see an new option
        for a random 147 break.

    4.  Why ya reading #4?  It's pretty obvious that you
        select this option isn't it!!!!


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