Real Pool

Real Pool
Real Pool
Developer(s)	Astroll
Publisher(s)	JP: Takara; NA: Infogrames; EU: Midas Interactive Entertainment;
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2
Release	JP: September 7, 2000; NA: November 9, 2000; EU: March 1, 2003;
Genre(s)	Sports video game
Mode(s)	Single player, multiplayer

Real Pool, known in Japan as EX Billiards (EXビリヤード, Ekkusu Biriyādo), and in Europe as International Cue Club, is a video game developed by Astroll for the PlayStation 2. This is a retooling of a Microsoft Windows and Mac OS game, also called Real Pool, which was published by WizardWorks in August 1998.^[2]

A sequel to the game, called Real Pool 2, was released for Windows in 2002.

Reception

Aggregate score
Aggregator	Score
Metacritic	54/100^[3]

Review scores
Publication	Score
AllGame	^[4]
Electronic Gaming Monthly	8/10^[5]
EP Daily	7/10^[6]
Famitsu	26/40^[7]
Game Informer	5.25/10^[8]
GameSpot	5.4/10^[9]
GameZone	8.6/10^[10]
IGN	4.5/10^[11]
Next Generation	^[12]
Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine	^[13]
PC Accelerator	(PC) 4/10^[14]

The game received "mixed" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.^[3] Mike Wolf of NextGen said of the game, "The uninspired play control and average game modes make this one pool game to avoid."^[12] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 26 out of 40.^[7] GamePro said earlier that the PC version "offers games of 8-Ball, 9-Ball, Straight Pool, Rotation, Carom Billiards, and Bumper Pool, and at first glance, it looks hot. Too bad it feels about three years out of date."^[15]^[a]

The game sold 200,000 units in the UK in 2005.^[16]

Notes

^ GamePro gave the PC version 3.5/5 for graphics, 3/5 for sound, and two 2.5/5 scores for control and fun factor.

References

^ IGN staff (November 9, 2000). "Rack 'Em Up With Real Pool". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 8, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
^ Ocampo, Jason (July 30, 1998). "Real Pool Announced". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived from the original on May 23, 2003. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
^ ^a ^b "Real Pool (PS2)". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on January 6, 2024. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
^ Thompson, Jon. "Real Pool (PS2) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
^ Dudlak, Jonathan (January 2001). "Real Pool". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 138. Ziff Davis. p. 212. Archived from the original on January 26, 2001. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
^ Hudak, Chris (March 23, 2001). "Real Pool (PS2)". The Electric Playground. Greedy Productions Ltd. Archived from the original on June 22, 2002. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "EXビリヤード [PS2]". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. Archived from the original on July 23, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
^ Brogger, Kristian (December 2000). "Real Pool". Game Informer. No. 92. FuncoLand. p. 97. Archived from the original on November 26, 2003. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
^ Gerstmann, Jeff (November 28, 2000). "Real Pool Review [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006"]". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on February 9, 2001. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
^ Da bomb mom (February 7, 2001). "Real Pool Review - PlayStation 2". GameZone. Archived from the original on February 10, 2008. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
^ Zdyrko, David (November 14, 2000). "Real Pool". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
^ ^a ^b Wolf, Mike (February 2001). "Real Pool". NextGen. No. 74. Imagine Media. p. 73. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
^ Rybicki, Joe (January 2001). "Real Pool". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. No. 40. Ziff Davis. p. 132. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
^ Delfino, Sammy (May 1999). "Real Pool". PC Accelerator. No. 9. Imagine Media. p. 100. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
^ Hudak, Chris. "Real Pool Review for PC on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG. Archived from the original on January 13, 2005. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
^ "International Cue Club has golden balls!". Midas Interactive Entertainment. July 11, 2005. Archived from the original on January 16, 2006. Retrieved November 29, 2023.