Pure Pool Reviews

Pure Pool is ranked in the 56th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Jan 8, 2021

When it comes to video games, I have genres that I tend to play more than others, such as platformers and fighting games. However, there is a genre that I don’t advertise that I enjoy equally as much as these. Virtual sports games, with Pool being a very firm favourite. With this small bit of exposition out of the way, I recently had the chance to play Pure Pool on the Nintendo Switch. Did I enjoy my experience with the game? Find out after the “break”.

Read full review

50 / 100
Aug 9, 2014

At this moment Pure Pool’s purchase potential is surrounded by a lot of “Ifs”. It does cost only ten dollars, however, acquiring the title now would only give you half a game. There’s a good foundation, however, the rest of the game is filled with holes.

Read full review

Ken Barnes
Top Critic
5 / 10
Nov 13, 2014

A passable game that can be good for a couple hours of play, sure, but that's about the best of it.

Read full review

5 / 10
Aug 5, 2014

A decent pool model that tends towards natural-style simulation, let down by several minor annoyances and one crippling problem. It's a multiplayer-leaning title, and Pure Pool's PC server troubles mean any online play is currently a non-starter.

Read full review

6 / 10
Jan 12, 2015

It's a pool game. A pure pool game. It works.

Read full review

6 / 10.0
Aug 5, 2014

Pure Pool's minimalist presentation and authentic physics are reflected in its simple, serious title.

Read full review

6 / 10.0
Sep 3, 2014

While Pure Pool is a great pool simulator, the problems I had left me feeling snookered. If those issues could be ironed out, and multiplayer fixed with a proper matchmaking tool, it would honestly be a solid title to spend6.0 some time with. For now though, I've just resorted to keeping it in windowed mode, taking my shots now and then between the other games I play.

Read full review

6.4 / 10.0
Aug 1, 2014

Had Hustle Kings not existed, Pure Pool could've been considered an essential pool product, as it feels great while in practice mode and looks like a winner. Unfortunately, it's a huge step back from VooFoo's previous effort, and the inability to skip your AI's inhuman actions, shift around the jukebox selection or even get an overhead view of what's happening may be too hard for some pool sharks to take. Try it out first, if you can, before you consider buying the table.

Read full review

Cubed3
Top Critic
7 / 10
May 21, 2021

There may not be a lot of choices on Nintendo Switch for those who want to jump into a worthwhile pool experience, however Pure Pool is the one to get for those who are keen. As good as it gets with a pool-based digital experience on the handheld, with plenty of offline and online content to make this easily worth the money.

Read full review

GameGrin
Top Critic
7 / 10.0
Oct 15, 2014

Time trials, speed potting and high score challenges all sit alongside the game's main career mode, and while they're all perfectly serviceable game types, it's Pure Pool's multiplayer that really stops the repetitive nature of the game from sticking its claws in.

Read full review

Aug 1, 2014

If you want a pool title for your PlayStation 4, this is currently the only game in town. It does have some problems and is missing some features, but due to its budget price and solid gameplay, I still recommend Pure Pool to anyone willing to look past its blemishes.

Read full review

7 / 10
Aug 5, 2014

VooFoo can chalk this down as another successful adaptation, as Pure Pool proves to be an enjoyable and astoundingly well presented interpretation of arguably the greatest pub pastime. The tutorials and help sections should get newcomers up to speed, while the 'Pro' difficulty will definitely test veterans. There are a few difficulty issues which prevent it from hitting a perfect break, but the stripped back interface and immersive atmosphere mean that it certainly won't be snookering you tonight.

Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
Feb 19, 2021

You can easily sunk hours into Pure Pool but it's not very suitable for newcomers.

Review in Slovak | Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
Nov 24, 2020

While newer players could be frustrated by camera limits, some gameplay quirks, and overall lack of personality, simulation fans can see minutes turn to hours when playing Pure Pool. It's a highly entertaining game that I've sunk more time into than expected.

Read full review

8 / 10.0
Nov 17, 2020

While I’ve never been super serious about playing pool it is a sport I’ve enjoyed in quite a number of pool halls and friends’ homes over time...

Read full review

8 / 10
Nov 16, 2020

In the absence of the real thing, Pure Pool is the closest you’ll get on your Switch. Career may be a bit lacking, and multiplayer a bit vacant, but when it looks this good you won’t care. There’s enough to keep you racking and chalking up to experience.

Read full review

Nov 20, 2020

There’s not much else that can be said about Pure Pool (also we’ve reviewed it previously, so check that out). VooFoo Studios has successfully made a game that remains relevant and feels current over half a decade after it first released it, and for “sports games”, that’s a rare achievement indeed. You’re not going to find better ball porn anywhere, and so, even though this is a port of a six-year-old game with very little added to it, it’s great that it’s now portable and on the Switch.

Read full review

Gareth Fidler
Top Critic
8 / 10
Aug 22, 2014

The beauty of pool is that there is no story to plough through, no defined ending to strive towards - other than winning the current match - and this very essence is captured perfectly in Pure Pool. It's just the tale of a man with a stick and some balls getting down to business on a table...!

Read full review

8 / 10.0
Aug 6, 2014

The attention to detail and the graphics of the game make it a solid entry in the genre, but the title also suffers from some issues when it comes to the control players have over their shots and the way the PC port works.

Read full review

GameSkinny
pixmaa
Top Critic
Aug 11, 2014

Pure Pool delivers one of the most fun and authentic pool experience you can get on any platform. It can be recommended even for those who are not into the sport that much.

Read full review