Actua Pool
Actua Pool is a PlayStation sports game released in 1999 developed by Gremlin Interactive. It centers on sport controls, shifts between attack and defense, and score or tournament goals, with controls and information arranged around the directional pad, shoulder and face buttons, plus DualShock twin analog sticks and vibration where supported.
- AI score · out of 10
- 6.9 / 10
About this game
Actua Pool is a PlayStation sports game centered on sport controls, shifts between attack and defense, and score or tournament goals. Matches, challenges, and tournament goals give sessions clear boundaries, with progress divided into stages, tasks, matches, or growth milestones that make immediate goals understandable. Its value depends on whether these rules continue to create judgment and room for mastery rather than on length, sales, or series recognition. Short campaigns are judged by repeat-challenge value, while longer ones are judged by variety, pacing, and recovery after failure. Players, venues, animation, and score feedback establish the match atmosphere, while early 3D graphics, pre-rendered backgrounds, CD audio, and full-motion video need to preserve targets and interface readability on a television. The genre-specific limitation is that opponent ai, control precision, multiplayer accessories, and period-specific rosters can affect consistency. Platform conditions also include disc loading, Memory Card saves, regional video standards, digital or analog control support, vibration, and dedicated peripherals affect original-hardware use. This description covers only this platform release and does not import features or conveniences from remasters, emulators, or other console editions.
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PlayStationAI review
AI reviews are subjective assessments, not player ratings. See each review for its evidence and limitations.Published date:
Pool lessons and unusual tables offer substance, while fine aiming divides firsthand players.
Actua Pool starts with a pool school that explains basic strokes, spin, rebounds and trick shots before asking players to apply them in matches. Different rules, opponents and venues provide variety, and diamond or other unusual table shapes change the angles available for bank shots. A contemporary PlayStation reviewer liked the tables, venue sound and accessible controls after training, and noted substantial turn-taking multiplayer. A later firsthand PS1 player had a harder time: the default view lacked a projected trajectory, tiny aim adjustments felt difficult and the 3D cue arm sometimes obstructed the shot. Those accounts should not be flattened into a claim that aiming is either universally easy or broken. The instructions appear useful, but accurate placement can demand patience and may depend on the settings and player. Pool enthusiasts who like learning spin have material to explore; newcomers who need a clear aiming guide should try it first. The contemporary test used an English copy and reported French localization only as a promise.
Strengths
- Useful lessons and trick shots.
- Varied rules, tables and venues.
Weaknesses
- Fine aiming can be difficult.
- Cue-arm presentation may obscure play.
Who it is for: Pool players willing to practise precise strokes.
Play notes: Original PS1 release; aiming reports conflict, and French localization was unverified.
View scoring basis
| Dimension | Review state | Score | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimension Modes and opponents vary, but precise aiming takes patience. | Reviewed | 7.0 / 10 | Not provided |
| Dimension Lessons and unusual tables make angles and rebounds meaningful. | Reviewed | 7.1 / 10 | Not provided |
| Dimension Tables and venue audio help, while the cue arm can intrude. | Reviewed | 7.0 / 10 | Not provided |
| Dimension PS1 aiming is disputed: training helped one reviewer, another struggled with fine adjustment. | Reviewed | 6.2 / 10 | Not provided |
Review sources
Not provided
Core information
- Developer
- Gremlin
- Publisher
- Gremlin
- Release date
- 1999
- Platforms
- PlayStation
- Content kind
- Game
- Release state
- Released
- Region
- Worldwide
- Official website
- Not provided
- Offline minimum players
- Not provided
- Offline maximum players
- Not provided
- Online minimum players
- Not provided
- Online maximum players
- Not provided
- Categories
- Sports · Primary genre
- Tags
- Solo-friendlySports-based PlayPick-up and PlayMain Story Under 10 HoursLow Entry Barrier3D GraphicsShort SessionsReplayablePlayer versus PlayerFast-paced
- Supported game languages
- Not provided
- Requires base game
- Not provided
- Standalone
- Not provided
- Age ratings
- Not provided
- Play modes
- Not provided
- Perspectives
- Not provided
Release editions
- PlayStationWorldwide1999
Game gallery
Sources
Not provided