1st Impressions: Bankshot Billiards 2 is a fun pool game online, but what you get isn't worth 1,200 Microsoft Points.
The Bad: Not even close to being worth 1,200 points, graphics aren't that good, music is mediocure at best.
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Xbox Live Arcade apparently needed a pool game, and it has one in the form of Bankshot Billiards 2. It isn't a bad game, but is way to overpriced to honestly recomend to casual arcade users.
For starters, Bankshot Billiards 2 features a bunch of fairly unique game modes. They are all involving pool or billiards, but each has it's own unique spin on the rules. It has everything from the classic game of pool, to timed tables where you have a short amount of time to sink all balls, to the amusing Cuthroat game online. Each of these game modes is fun for the most part, but they are all tough to master thanks to the quite skilled A.I. The computer always seems to have a leg up on you, no matter what game mode you are playing. The visuals of this game aren't anything impressive, but they do get the job done. The music isn't too bad like it is in a few other arcade games (Uno, Texas Hold'em), but it seems to cut off after a very short time, so you are left with sound effects and that's it. The sound effects are pretty good, but it shouldn't be too hard to effectively use the sound of pool balls clanking.
The game itself isn't outstanding, but it isn't bad. The thing that keeps me from recomending this game is the price. It costs 1,200 M$ points. Some games, like Roboblitz and the upcoming Castlevania game are worth that steep price point, but not this game. 400 points is a good price. 800 is pushing it, but might be ok because of the various game modes. 1,200? Not worth it by any stretch of the imagination. If you buy a 12 month Xbox Live starter kit, you get this game included. That is the only way I'd recomend getting it. It is not worth 1,200 points unless you are a pool nut and have to have an online pool game. Overall, Bankshot Billiards 2 is a decent game, but the steep price point keeps it from being recomendable.
Gameplay: It's a decent game of pool with lots of unique game modes.
Graphics: They aren't impressive, but they get the job done. Sound: The sound effects are good, but there really is only one that is needed for this game.
Value: It costs 1,200 M$ points, which is a huge rip-off.
Final Thoughts: This game is much better in a real arcade than in a virtual one.