Pool Paradise

Last updated

Pool Paradise
Pool Paradise.jpg
Developer(s) Awesome Studios
Publisher(s) Ignition Entertainment
Director(s) Archer Maclean
Programmer(s) Ed Bradley
Fred O'Rourke
Artist(s) Drew Northcott
Composer(s) Tom Davies
Platform(s) Windows, PlayStation 2, GameCube
ReleaseWindows, PlayStation 2
  • EU: 2 April 2004
  • NA: April 2004 (PC)
  • NA: 15 June 2004 (PS2)
  • AU: 2004 (PS2) [1]
GameCube
  • EU: 7 May 2004
  • NA: 28 June 2004
Genre(s) Sports
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Pool Paradise is a 2004 pocket billiards video game, developed by Awesome Studios, and published by Ignition Entertainment, released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, and GameCube. The game is the fourth game to be endorsed by professional snooker and pool player Jimmy White.

Contents

Gameplay

Players control a virtual pool player at a beach resort, with pool tables inside different huts. Players have to work their way up the tournament ladder in order to unlock features and complete the game.

The game's features, according to Booners Interactive, [2] include 30 unique computer characters, with highly detailed hands, on an animated island with day and night cycles, and 8 virtual camera modes; 11 different game types and 5 modes of play, with 10 different tournament ladders, and 10 table sizes and shapes; and analog cueing, using a gamepad or a mouse. "Hidden features" throughout the game were also alluded to. [3] As well as various pool and snooker games, beach darts, a coconut shy, skee-ball ramp, and the original Dropzone arcade game are all unlockable. [4] Unlike previous games endorsed by Jimmy White, in Pool Paradise, White is a playable character, and is the best player in game. [5]

International edition

The game was re-released in 2006 under the new title Pool Paradise: International Edition, only in Europe for the PlayStation 2.[ citation needed ]

Reception

The game received "generally favourable reviews" on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. [3] [6] [7] Alex Trickett of BBC Sport called the game "crisp, clean fun at a budget price"; however, he did call the game's soundtrack "uninspired". Alex Navarro of GameSpot enjoyed the European GameCube version months before it was released, stating in an early review, "Pool Paradise features a great gameplay design, as well as a ton of available pool games and side ventures." [11] He also suggested the game was very strong on its own merits commenting "even if Pool Paradise weren't the only available pool game for the GameCube, it would still be a strong choice for any billiards fan." [11] GameSpot later named it the best GameCube game of April 2004, [22] and nominated it for the year-end "Best Alternative Sports Game" award. [23] GameSpy and Game Informer gave the same European GameCube version a mixed review, two months before it was released in Europe, and nearly three months before it was released Stateside. [10] [13]

Related Research Articles

<i>All-Star Baseball 2003</i> Baseball video game

All Star Baseball 2003 is a baseball video game published by Acclaim Entertainment in 2002. The game features Derek Jeter on the cover.

<i>BloodRayne</i> (video game) 2002 video game

BloodRayne is an action-adventure hack and slash video game developed by Terminal Reality and released on October 31, 2002. The game has since spawned a franchise with the addition of sequels, films, and self-contained comic books.

<i>18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker</i> 2000 video game

18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker, known in Japan as 18 Wheeler, is an arcade game developed by Sega AM2 and distributed by Sega. The game was released in arcades in 2000 and ported to the Dreamcast in 2001. It was released for the PlayStation 2 in 2001 and GameCube in 2002 by Acclaim Entertainment. Sega followed up on the success of 18 Wheeler with a sequel, The King of Route 66, which was released in the arcades in 2002 and ported to the PlayStation 2. This was one of the final arcade games to be ported to the Dreamcast after its discontinuation, before Sega became a third-party developer.

<i>Madden NFL 2003</i> 2002 video game

Madden NFL 2003 is an American football simulation video game based on the NFL that was developed by EA Tiburon and Budcat Creations and published by EA Sports. The 14th installment of the Madden NFL series, the game features former St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk on the cover. This edition of Madden was the first to have EA Trax, the Mini Camp mode, and to feature Al Michaels as play-by-play announcer, who took over for Pat Summerall. Although it featured the expansion Houston Texans and the relocation of the Seattle Seahawks to the NFC, it was actually the second to do so. The game was released on August 12, 2002 for the Game Boy Advance, GameCube, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, PlayStation 2 and Xbox. The PlayStation version also includes the Sega Genesis version of John Madden Football 93.

<i>All-Star Baseball 2004</i> 2003 baseball video game

All Star Baseball 2004 is a baseball video game developed by Acclaim Studios Austin and Acclaim Studios Manchester and published by Acclaim Entertainment in 2003. It features Derek Jeter on the cover.

<i>All-Star Baseball 2002</i> 2001 video game

All-Star Baseball 2002 is a baseball sports game released for PlayStation 2 and GameCube in 2001.

<i>XGRA: Extreme-G Racing Association</i> 2003 video game

XGRA: Extreme-G Racing Association is a futuristic racing video game, the fourth and final installment in the Extreme-G series, following Extreme-G 3. This game features more tracks as well as a brand new weapon system.

<i>NFL 2K3</i> 2002 video game

NFL 2K3 is an American football video game released in 2002 for PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube. It was developed by Visual Concepts and published by Sega. It is the only NFL 2K game for the GameCube. The cover athlete features Brian Urlacher of the Chicago Bears, becoming the first cover athlete in the NFL 2K series besides Randy Moss.

<i>Freaky Flyers</i> 2003 video game

Freaky Flyers is an air racing video game developed internally by Midway San Diego for the Xbox and PlayStation 2, while the version for the GameCube was developed by Point of View, Inc. and published by Midway Games.

<i>Driven</i> (video game) 2001 video game

Driven is a racing game released in 2001 by BAM! Entertainment for PlayStation 2 and Game Boy Advance. A GameCube version followed in 2002. It is based on the film Driven.

<i>Freekstyle</i> 2002 video game

Freekstyle is a 2002 motocross racing video game for the PlayStation 2, GameCube and Game Boy Advance. There are four levels of gameplay: the circuit, a quick race, freestyle, and free run.

<i>Grooverider: Slot Car Thunder</i> 2003 video game

Grooverider: Slot Car Thunder is a racing video game released in 2003, developed by British studio King of the Jungle. It features a selection of over 40 fictional slot cars and 5 locations set in a virtual house. The gameplay features changing lanes to avoid obstacles or overtake, 3 performance levels of cars and power-ups.

<i>King Arthur</i> (video game) 2004 video game

King Arthur is an action-adventure game based on the 2004 film of the same title.

<i>MLB Slugfest 2003</i> 2002 video game

MLB Slugfest 2003 is a baseball video game published by Midway Home Entertainment in 2002. It is the first game in the MLB Slugfest series. Alex Rodriguez from the Texas Rangers is the cover athlete.

<i>NCAA College Football 2K3</i> 2002 video game

NCAA College Football 2K3 is a 2002 American football video game published by Sega. The cover athlete is former Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Eric Crouch. It is the second college football game by Visual Concepts.

<i>NFL QB Club 2002</i> 2001 video game

NFL Quarterback Club 2002, also known as NFL QB Club 2002, is a football video game developed by Acclaim Studios Austin and published by Acclaim Entertainment under their Acclaim Sports banner. It is the final game in Acclaim's NFL Quarterback Club series.

<i>World Series of Poker</i> (video game) 2005 video game

World Series of Poker is a video game based on the popular gambling tournament World Series of Poker. It is succeeded by World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions and World Series of Poker 2008: Battle for the Bracelets. It was released for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, PlayStation Portable, and Windows.

<i>MX Superfly</i> 2002 video game

MX Superfly featuring Ricky Carmichael, released as MX Super Fly in PAL regions, is a motorcross racing game developed by Pacific Coast Power & Light and published by THQ for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, and GameCube. It is the second installment of THQ's MX trilogy and a sequel to MX 2002 featuring Ricky Carmichael, garnering professional motorcross racer Ricky Carmichael's endorsement like its predecessor.

<i>NFL Blitz 2003</i> 2002 video game

NFL Blitz 2003 is a video game published by Midway Home Entertainment for Game Boy Advance, GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox in 2002.

<i>NFL Blitz Pro</i> 2003 video game

NFL Blitz Pro is a video game developed by Midway Games for GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox in 2003.

References

  1. ↑ "Pool Paradise". Australian Classification Board . 31 August 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  2. ↑ "Pool Paradise Company Line". GameSpot . CBS Interactive. 26 April 2004. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 "Pool Paradise for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  4. ↑ Calvert, Justin (15 March 2004). "Pool Paradise dated for UK". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  5. ↑ evilmonkeyz (11 July 2005). "Pool Paradise Review for PS2". GameFAQs . CBS Interactive. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  6. 1 2 "Pool Paradise for GameCube Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive.
  7. 1 2 "Pool Paradise for PC Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  8. ↑ Edge staff (May 2004). "Pool Paradise (PS2)". Edge . No. 136. Future plc. p. 109.
  9. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (5 May 2004). "Pool Paradise (PlayStation 2)". Eurogamer . Gamer Network.
  10. 1 2 "Pool Paradise (GC)". Game Informer . No. 133. GameStop. May 2004. p. 101.
  11. 1 2 3 Navarro, Alex (12 April 2004). "Pool Paradise Review (GC) [date mislabeled as "July 2, 2004"" . Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  12. ↑ Navarro, Alex (2 July 2004). "Pool Paradise Review (PS2)". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  13. 1 2 Hodgson, David (2 April 2004). "GameSpy: Pool Paradise (GCN)". GameSpy . IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on 18 December 2005. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  14. ↑ Bedigian, Louis (29 July 2004). "Pool Paradise - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 9 March 2008. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  15. ↑ Casamassina, Matt (6 July 2004). "Pool Paradise (GCN)". IGN . Ziff Davis . Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  16. ↑ Casamassina, Matt (6 July 2004). "Pool Paradise (PS2)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  17. ↑ "Pool Paradise". Nintendo Power . Vol. 180. Nintendo of America. June 2004. p. 121.
  18. ↑ "Pool Paradise". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine . No. 83. Ziff Davis. August 2004. p. 93.
  19. ↑ "Pool Paradise". PC Gamer UK . Future plc. May 2004.
  20. 1 2 3 Trickett, Alex (27 May 2004). "Let's Play: Paradise Pool". BBC Sport . BBC . Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  21. ↑ Hill, Jason (7 August 2004). "'Pool Paradise' (PS2)". The Sydney Morning Herald . Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 22 August 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  22. ↑ Staff (3 May 2004). "GameSpot's Month in Review for April 2004". GameSpot . Archived from the original on 14 September 2004.
  23. ↑ The GameSpot Editors (5 January 2005). "Best and Worst of 2004". GameSpot . Archived from the original on 7 March 2005.{{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.