BankShot Billiards has become rather popular for MSN messenger users as well as being available online elsewhere. Currently this Xbox Live Arcade game is the most expensive available to download on the Xbox 360. BankShot Billiards currently costs 1,200 Microsoft points; which works out at about UK £12.50 and US $15.25. Is it any good though?

Gameplay

The game play is basic to say the least; the only time any real skill is required is for the Trick Shots, Golf and Time Trial game modes. The basics of the game play are lining up your shots ready to make a pot, and deciding how much power you want behind it and whether you want any spin on the cue ball. Keep an eye out for where you think the cue ball may be headed before you take the shot, because if it’s anywhere near a pocket 90% of the time it will be sucked in.

Graphics

The reflections and shadows on the balls complement the graphics nicely. On the bottom of the screen is some useful information, which shows your gamertag, what balls you are assigned to and how many pots you have made; also on the bottom part of the screen is a section of all the balls that have been potted. So when you make a pot you will see it roll across the bottom part of your screen, which is a nice touch. Under the options menu you can modify the pool table; you can change what colour you want the tables mat texture to be, you can also alter how bright or how dark the wood is on the table and you can even change the floor, balls and cue. Also another thing worth noting, is the fact that you are unable to change your view; so you are unfortunately forced into an overhead view of the pool table at all times.

Sound

The default in-game music is terrible; it's enough to give anyone a severe headache. Luckily it wasn't too long before I was streaming some music from my computer instead. Aside from the rubbish in-game music, the sound effects are good though, if pretty basic; but it's pool so it's good enough. As long as you can hear "puck" when two balls collide and can hear the sound of a ball hitting the bottom of the pool table as it rolls across your screen, then it's pretty darn good.

Longevity

There's plenty to keep you busy by beating your own time trials and playing against the computer in five different difficulty settings. There are also leader boards as well, so you can try to keep one step a head of your buddies. Unfortunately though, the linear game play becomes very repetitive. Although Xbox Live one-on-one is sure to add some replay value, the online game modes include: 8-Ball, 9-Ball, Cutthroat, 14.1 Continuous, 3-Ball and my favorite Euro 8-Ball.

Overall

Bankshot Billiards can become quite addictive once you get into it, especially when playing online. Game play however starts to become tedious, and the computer is too easy to beat, knock the difficulty level up a few notches and they'll be potting left, right and center. This game shines at its best with the head-to-head online game modes though.

Sure it's an expensive Xbox Live Arcade game but it's worth the cost though, especially when played online with a buddy. If you’re still unsure then there is a demo version of the game available to download for free from the Xbox Live Arcade.

The Pros

The Cons