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Budding Jimmy Whites who lack the necessary dexterity with a cue (or, indeed, the fancy suit) can now take to the baize via their C64 with Codemasters' latest simulation.

All the necessary rudiments of snooker are included, such as spins, fouling rules and ball nominations, together with demo and practice modes. The view is the standard overhead angle usually employed in games of the type. All moves are controlled from the keyboard, commencing with the aiming of the cue: a 'shadow' cueball at the top of the screen shows the 'impact' position of the ball currently in play (i.e. how the cueball will strike the object ball), and any spin that is added after the initial aim. When a red is potted, a colour must be selected by pressing 0 (white) - 7 (black) before shooting.

When I heard about this simulation, I thought, "What else can be done in a snooker game?" Apparently the answer is: "Not much".

It's true that just about all the rules are included, but Codemaster have done something more with the presentation, perhaps a different viewpoint or a more innovative cueing system.

The idea of including a view from the cueball is a new one, but is let down by the awkward cue positioning system, which makes aiming overly difficult.

As it stands, PSS is just another in a line of average snooker games, but if you like the odd frame or two then you could do worse than shell out two quid for this.

There have been several snooker games for the C64, but none as good as Steve Davis' Snooker, with successive games failing to oust it. Now snooker gets the Code Masters Simulator treatment, and develops a very interesting new feature of an object ball in addition to the standard spin on an enlarged cue ball.

This display aids general sighting, then proficiency allows finely tuned shots to be played. Ball inertia is sometimes dodgy and affects play to a limited but niggling degree, but it's little things like that which can spoil games.

Presentation 39%
Demo and practice modes are included, but the cueing system is awkward.

Graphics 30%
Small, indistinct balls move erratically around the table.

Sound 31%
Bouncy, but infuriating title tune and weak spot FX.

Hookability 65%
The strange control method takes time to overcome, but once learnt it's passable.

Lastability 43%
Only diehard snooker fans will keep returning.

Overall 63%
An adequate snooker simulation that doesn't break any new ground.