Let's play: World Championship Snooker

David Gibbon dusts down his cue and goes potty for the latest snooker game to hit the market.

If there's one sport with real high pressure, where everyone is looking at the player and watching their every move, it's snooker.

You could visibly see the tension when Alex Higgins was playing and although cooler customers like Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry rarely show nerves, you can bet they are trembling inside.

Video game versions of the sport have never really managed to capture the essence of the sport and its tense atmosphere - until now.

  World Ch'ship Snooker

Format: PC-CD Rom

Price: £29.99

Publisher: Codemasters

Genre: Snooker

Also available: Playstation

Codemasters, who are responsible for the likes of Prince Naseem Boxing and Colin McCrae Rally, have put in some superbly fine tuned detail.

Stand out features include the chance to play at world-renowned venues such as the Crucible, play as a top player like Stephen Hendry and even listen to first-rate commentary from the lovely Mr Dennis Taylor.

You can play as yourself or choose from one of 20 stars, including Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Williams.

And if you've ever wondered what it would be like to work your way to the top, World Snooker Championship lets you do just that.

Start off your career in a local club environment, play through the qualifying leagues and take on lower ranking players before moving onto the professional circuit.

You can choose which player you want to be

You can play one-on-one and there's also a multi-player mode, including a tournament option allowing up to 16 players.

The visuals are far superior to the PlayStation version - especially if you've got top-notch hardware and can move everything to a higher resolution.

The table looks crisp and clean in all its 3D glory - and it moves with great fluidity.

But, better still - and again unusually for a snooker game - you also get 3D players strolling up to the table to take a shot.

Great crowds

Even the referees are on hand when it's time to call a foul or re-spot a colour.

Plenty of attention has also been given to the environments, with top venues like the Crucible looking highly authentic.

There are also great crowds at each location and when the action hots up they become more rowdy.

Playing the game is a doddle after a while, but for those who need some help there's a host of excellent tutorials to watch which talk you through everything from potting to more advanced techniques like getting back spin.

The control method for setting up a shot is clean and methodical - if a little mechanical. It lets you line it up and set strength and spin before hitting the cueball.

  Gibbon's verdict

Graphics: 88%

Playability: 73%

Sound: 57%

Reality: 90%

Overall: 86%

Endorsed by the Snooker Association, this game even allows you to take part in a World Championship - and it plays just as it would in real life.

If you want the most realistic and playable snooker game currently available on PC, there's no alternative.

Codemasters World Championship Snooker has arrived in a baize of glory.