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Steve Davis Snooker was originally released on the Commodore 64 about six months ago. It was, and probably still is the best snooker game for the C64. Sadly, the only similarity between that and this C16 version is the picture of Steve on the inlay.

The first mega-disappointment is that you can't play the computer. As playing yourself at snooker must rate as one of the most boring pastimes in the history of the world, you'll have to find an opponent.

As anyone who has watched snooker on a black and white TV will tell you, it's not always easy to follow what's going on. Because of the C16's colour limitations the same problem arises. The brown and pink are easily confused with the reds and I kept losing the cueball altogether. CRL have, at least, recognised the problem and have recorded two versions on the tape, one with a green table and the other black. I found the green clearer, but it may depend on your TV.

Apart from that, you have a pretty faithful rendition of the game. Each player takes it in turn to cue up with the cursor. Spin can be put on the ball, but unlike the C64 version you can't decide on how much, you've either got it or you ain't. Finally, you have to decide whether to smack it one or go for a gentle pot using the power meter at the bottom of the screen. The scoring is updated automatically and foul strokes are penalised according to the rules.

If you're a dedicated aficionado then Steve Davis will no doubt appeal to you. But I think that CRL have been too ambitious this time. In the transition to the smaller machine all the best bits of the game have had to be dropped.