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The advent of a new snooker game is hardly a rarity, so it was with little more than a yawn that I dutifully loaded up Codemaster's latest addition to the genre, entitled Professional Snooker Simulator. But it just shows how wrong you can be, because Professional Snooker Simulator is, quite frankly, superb.

The game is designed for two players, although handling both players' shots yourself can be equally enjoyable. All the main rules of snooker are catered for including touching ball and asking your opponent to play again.

By clever use of the Amstrad's higher resolution four-colour mode, programmer Godwin Graham has been able to give us perfectly round balls rolling smoothly over the green baize. The four colours used by the program are green, red, black and white, and with these all eight differently coloured balls are clearly discernable.

The screen is dominated by the plan view of the table. Above this are a message window and a magnified view of the cue ball. The window provides a commentary on the game telling the player such things as when a foul has occurred or when there's a touching ball. The window will also prompt the player to make specific decisions, such as nominating a colour after a red has been potted.

The graphic of the cue ball is used to set any spin you want to put on any particular shot. This is done by moving a black spot around the cue ball graphic. Thus, for example, if you wanted to put a deep screw on the cue ball (so that it comes back towards you after the shot) you would position the spot towards the bottom of the ball.

Below the table are displayed both players' scores and the current break value. To the right are repeat graphics of some of the coloured balls, each labelled to avoid any confusion when nominating a colour during the game.

As each player comes to the table they can move their imaginary cue around the white ball until happy with their aim. To help get the direction right, a silhouette of any ball being aimed at (the obejct ball), will appear behind the cue ball graphic at the top of the screen. So, for example, if the silhouette is directly behind the cue ball then you are aiming straight at the object ball. The further to the right the silhouette appears, the sharper would be the vector of the obejct ball after being hit.

When you're happy with your aim, press the space bar twice. The time between the two presses sets the power of the shot. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to put the power you want on a shot because it's too easy to leave too short or long a gap before hitting space a second time. Although you gradually get used to this method of play, there have been far more friendly methods of setting power in other games.

Apart from normal play the program also offers a comprehensive practice mode to help you get your eye in. There is also an excellent demo game which starts automatically after thirty seconds of inactivity. The demo has everything from touching balls to snookers.

Two niggles make Professional Snooker Simulator a masterpiece of the flawed variety rather than the pure variety. Firstly, the left and right hand side spin that you can put on the cue ball is a little over the top. Secondly, and more importantly, the method of setting shot strength is not in keeping with what is otherwise a genuine and successful attempt at a snooker game.

That said, Professional Snooker Simulator is still perhaps the most playable and engrossing snooker game this reviewer has had the pleasure of playing and at a budget price! If you're a follower of the green baize, and you don't yet have a snooker program, then give yourself a break and pocket a copy immediately.