Virtual Pool

Virtual Pool (retroactively renamed Virtual Pool 1 after the release of sequels) is a 3D, first-person sports simulation video game released by Interplay Entertainment in. It is the first of the "Virtual Pool" franchise of computer simulations of pool (pocket billiards) games developed by Celeris.

Overview
Virtual Pool is an accurate simulation of straight pool, eight-ball, nine-ball, and rotation pool. The game is viewed in first-person 3D perspective, in contrast to most earlier pool games which featured a fixed overhead view.

The game's publishers, Interplay, offered a full refund for buyers of the game who did not see an improvement in their pool abilities within 45 days of purchase and returned the CD-ROM to the company.

Virtual Pool has revolutionary features that allow players to actually 'walk' around the table to check out their next shot, take a closer look, back away, look left or right and then line-up the shot like they would in a real game with a real table. This title also allows players to take an overhead view from above, something unavailable in a real pool game. Taking game tips from World Champion pool player "Machine Gun" Lou Butera is guaranteed to improve the player's game. "Machine Gun" Lou will teach players over 30 famous trick shots the player can practice on their computer screen and then implement on a real table.

Reception

 * Entertainment Weekly: "With its first-person perspective and true-to-life physics, Virtual Pool is one of the rare simulations that may actually improve your real game."

Re-release
Some time after the release of the sequel Virtual Pool 2, both games were re-packaged as a two-in-one CD-ROM jewel case edition (i.e., a bargain bin version without a box), called the Virtual Pool 1 / Virtual Pool 2 Bundle

Trivia

 * Pre-release versions of the 1995 PC version of Virtual Pool got leaked. The authorized production version of the game has the code marking ICD-120-0 through ICD-120-5 on each disc. The stolen version CD code is ICD-059-0. According to IPC the stolen version was "being offered for sale at some swap meets, computer fairs and small retail shops" and "contain a defective software program which will not operate properly."