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It's here at last, an excellent version of pool for the Oric. Trick Shot is very similar to the arcade version in many respects. You start with three cue balls or lives, each life is allowed three shots - if after three shots you fail to pot a ball or accidentally pot the cue ball, you lose one life. Obviously, once your three lives have been lost the game is over.

Instead of aimlessly potting six balls, then going onto the next frame and potting six more ad infinitum you must try to accumulate a score. Every ball and pocket has a number - the score for the ball potted is the sum of the number on the ball multiplied by the number on the pocket, multiplied by the number of shots left for the present life. The numbers on the pockets change every shot.

To aim the cue ball, you move a flashing cross around the outside of the table. When it's in the direction you want, you lock it on target and then select the strength needed for the shot. The ball then zooms across the table, hopefully to the selected target. After potting a ball, the number of shots left is restored to three.

Graphically this game isn't very stunning; the blue table with yellow cushions isn't convincing - the blue felt extends around the cushions on the left-hand side and the pockets are decidedly square (although this never proved to be a problem in practice).

The movement of the balls is smooth, if slightly flickery. Ball collisions and rebounds appear realistic. Sound is very good with appropriate clicking noises of colliding balls and two different melodies.

A Hall of Fame is also provided. The playability of this game is incredible - I just couldn't stop. The scoring system undoubtably contributes considerably to this. In all, a sound piece of programming well worth spending time with.

Despite the pool style of the game, the signature tune is from Pot Black, the TV snooker program, and it's off key in places. Not that a few duff notes can spoil this great conversion from the arcades.

The novel scoring system adds the tactical element that is needed to make the game challenging. The movement and ricocheting of the balls is excellent, athough some colour would have been appreciated.

Potting a ball is wonderfully satisfying as it plops into the pocket without even touching the sides.

Movement of the balls is smooth, albeit a little flickery at times, but they don't always bounce in the direction expected. The control of the key is rather awkward as well.

Although Trick Shot is the only snooker/pool game available for the Oric/Atmos, I can't imagine it being loaded more than a few times and the introductory tune, is naff awful!!

"Based on the highly successful arcade game," says the cover. Pity it doesn't live up to it!