• Platform: PlayStation
• Release Date: 1998
• Similar Games: Virtual Pool [DOS] (IBM PC Compatible), Virtual Pool (IBM PC Compatible), Virtual Pool (Macintosh), Virtual On: Cyber Troopers Netlink Edition (Sega Saturn), Virtual Pool (PlayStation)

Review: Enjoyment

For pool fans, playing in real life is the only thing more fun than this game! ~ Shawn Sackenheim, All Game Guide

Review: Overall

Here's a lovely surprise for billiards fans the world over! Tired of those straightaway pool simulations? Want a little spice to your game? Look no further than Backstreet Billiards. With every popular game of pool on offer as well as an insanely addictive two-player mode, story mode, trick, technical, speed, and practice mode, there's little else one could want in a billiards game.

Most notable is the game's mood and style. Clearly influenced by Japanese animé and manga, the characters in the story mode all sport great design. The tables and environments are also creative and lively. Cues and balls are all accurately detailed as well, though the PlayStation's low resolution sometimes makes it difficult to discern them if you're not an experienced player. Fortunately, the L2 button changes the balls to large black and white numbers to make recognition instantaneous.

The physics, ultimately the most important factor in any pool sim, are well designed, though the low resolution also interferes here, making it harder to line up those tight shots. A little practice and you'll surely have compensated for the graphics, though. Also nice is the ability to make the cue ball jump, sometimes right off the table, a very nice touch that I haven't seen in too many pool simulations.

And to keep you from getting tired of plain old eight ball, Backstreet Billiards offers a ton of games to play including nine ball, eight ball, 14.1 continuous, rotation, basic, bowlliards, cutthroat, 5-9, and one pocket. As if that wasn't enough, there's also a carom table with four ball, three ball, free, one cushion, and three cushion games. Up to four rules settings are also selectable depending on how you want to play. House, regulation, and novice are the typical settings, each with various fouls and rules.

Another new addition to the pool sim is the story mode where you set out through various pool halls in search of your father's cue, which was stolen two years ago. You'll encounter and converse with several characters as you explore and play to advance to the next area. Defeating opponents also lets you upgrade one of three categories of your character. After beating a new opponent, you'll be able to play them in a single game, as well as choose their particular table; while this is a great step toward extending the replay value, you just can't get tired of the multi-player mode!

For pool fanatics or those with only a passing interest in billiards I'd have to recommend Backstreet Billiards above any other pool game out there. The u nique graphics, modes of play, and overall enjoyment simply can't be topped by any other. ~ Shawn Sackenheim, All Game Guide

Review: Graphics

Each table features a unique design and all are diverse and interesting. ~ Shawn Sackenheim, All Game Guide

Review: Sound

Great pool hustlin' tunes with an option to insert your own CDs while you play the game! Effects are superb as well. ~ Shawn Sackenheim, All Game Guide

Review: Replay Value

While the one-player game may be a bit too short, the options, games, and overall enjoyment of this game will keep it spinnin' in your PlayStation for months. ~ Shawn Sackenheim, All Game Guide

Review: Documentation

A thick book that explains each game in depth as well as ball and cue mechanics. ~ Shawn Sackenheim, All Game Guide