Genre: Sports – Pool / Snooker
Developer: Jeremy C. Smith
Publisher: Thorn EMI (UK)
Year: 1981
System: Atari 8-bit
Snooker & Billiards is a cue sports simulation developed by Jeremy C. Smith and released by Thorn EMI for the Atari 8‑bit family in 1981. It includes two games—snooker and billiards—played from a top-down perspective with direct control over shot direction and strength.
Players use a crosshair to aim the cue ball and adjust power via an on-screen meter. The title offers single-player practice mode and two-player alternating matches, with scores and elapsed time tracked. Game statistics and ratings reflect its moderate reception, with a 60 % critic score and average user ratings on retro gaming sites.
The game is programmed in machine language and supports joystick controls. Distribution was via cassette tape, and it was also included in a compilation release alongside other cue sports titles.
Despite limited visuals and simple audio, Snooker & Billiards was noted for accurate physics and intuitive gameplay. It represents an early example of realistic cue sports simulation on home computers and showcases Thorn EMI’s interest in casual and sports titles for the Atari platform.
