Maximum Pool

Last updated: January 9, 2026

Overview

Maximum Pool is a pool simulation video game developed by Dynamix and published by Sierra On-Line under their Sierra Sports label for Windows and Dreamcast in 2000¹. The game is part of the 3D Ultra series and serves as the successor to the 1999 game Cool Pool². Maximum Pool was designed as “a fast, friendly, and inviting pool simulation” that aimed to be accessible to both casual and new players³.

The game features an entertaining mix of classic and novel pool games, offering a total of 12 types with several table variations⁴. Maximum Pool was notable for being “one of the first video games in history to support online play between Dreamcast, Windows, and Macintosh players”⁵, showcasing the flexibility of cross-platform gaming in the early 2000s. The game includes both traditional pool variants and unique “maximum” games that add creative twists to the classic formula⁶.

Game Info

Developer: Dynamix¹ Designer: Randy Thompson (Senior Producer), Rhett Anderson² Publisher: Sierra On-Line¹ Platforms: Windows, Dreamcast, Mac OS, Mac OS X⁷ Release Year: 2000 Series: 3D Ultra Sierra Lineage: Core Sierra

Gameplay

Interface and Controls

Maximum Pool features a 3D interface with animated tables and realistic ball physics for trick shots². The game offers multiple control options, including auto-aim features and various difficulty levels to ease players into the experience². Players can adjust the viewing angle by holding the Alt key for hidden views or right-clicking anywhere on the table to focus the view⁸. The game supports both pull-and-release cue control and manual pushing, though the latter may cause compatibility issues on newer systems⁸.

Structure and Progression

The game includes 8 classic pool games and 5 original “maximum” games, providing variety for both traditional and experimental play⁹. Players can compete against up to 5 computer opponents with 3 different difficulty levels². The game supports 1-4 players in various modes including hot seat, internet play, and split-screen multiplayer².

Puzzles and Mechanics

Maximum Pool features classic pool variants including 8-ball, 9-ball, cutthroat, snooker, carom, pocket billiards, and rotation². The unique “maximum” games include 24 Cents, Chameleon Ball, Mad Bomber, Poker, and Rocket Ball². The physics model has been praised as “highly impressive”¹⁰, providing realistic ball interactions and enabling complex trick shots. The game includes animated directions and quick tips to help players learn the various game modes⁹.

Reception

Contemporary Reviews

Publication	Score	Notes
IGN	7.9/10	Praised graphics and physics model11
IGN (Dreamcast)	7.8/10	”Quite enjoyable” and easy to get into12
GameZone	8.6/10	Called it “surprisingly good”3
GameZone	8.5/10	Praised combination of challenge, skill and fun13
GameSpot	6.3/10	Noted cumbersome interface but good value14
GameSpot	5.0/10	Criticized simplified controls and limited modes15
Metacritic (PC)	71/100	Generally favorable reviews6
Metacritic (Dreamcast)	59/100	Mixed reviews6

Modern Assessment

Modern retrospective reviews have been mixed, with some players considering it “a hidden gem in the Dreamcast’s online lineup”¹⁶. The game maintains a following among pool simulation enthusiasts, though it faces criticism for its interface design. One reviewer noted it as “the perfect chill online multiplayer game”¹⁶, while others have praised its unique game modes as potentially giving “Maximum Pool a long life on your hard drive”¹⁴.

Development

Origins

Maximum Pool was developed by Dynamix’s 3D Ultra Group as the tenth game in the 3D Ultra series². The project was led by Senior Producer Randy Thompson, who emphasized the game’s groundbreaking cross-platform online capabilities⁵. The development team aimed to create an accessible pool simulation that would appeal to both newcomers and experienced players³.

Production

The game featured a development team of 66 credited individuals, with key roles including Executive Producer Susan Folden, Producer Randy Thompson, and Lead Programmer Jon Milnes². The development focused on creating realistic physics modeling and an intuitive interface design. The team worked to ensure the game could support seamless online play across multiple platforms, a significant technical challenge for the time period⁵.

Technical Achievements

Maximum Pool was notable for its cross-platform online multiplayer support, allowing Dreamcast, Windows, and Macintosh players to compete together⁵. The game featured impressive 3D graphics and a sophisticated physics engine that enabled realistic ball behavior and trick shots¹¹. Sierra terminated multiplayer support on August 16, 2007, but community patches were later developed to restore online functionality through privately run servers¹⁷.

Legacy

Maximum Pool represents an important milestone in cross-platform gaming, demonstrating early successful implementation of online multiplayer across different gaming systems⁵. While some players preferred its predecessor Cool Pool, Maximum Pool established itself as a solid entry in the pool simulation genre¹⁸. The game’s influence can be seen in later pool simulations that adopted similar physics modeling and accessibility features. Community preservation efforts have kept the game playable through unofficial patches and server maintenance¹⁹.

Downloads

Purchase / Digital Stores

• GOG Dreamlist - Community wishlist
• No longer available through official channels

Download / Preservation

• Internet Archive
• MyAbandonware

Series Continuity

• Previous: Cool Pool (1999)
• Next: No direct sequel

References

Footnotes

1. Wikipedia – - Basic game information and release details ↩ ↩² ↩³

2. MobyGames – - Series information and predecessor details ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰

3. Web Archive - GameZone PC Review – - Development goals and design philosophy ↩ ↩² ↩³

4. Internet Archive – - Game overview and content description ↩

5. Web Archive - Sierra Press Release – - Cross-platform online capabilities announcement ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵

6. Metacritic Dreamcast – - Traditional and maximum game modes ↩ ↩² ↩³

7. MobyGames Releases – - Platform release information ↩

8. SierraChest Walkthrough – - Hidden interface features ↩ ↩²

9. Amazon Product Page – - Game content breakdown ↩ ↩²

10. Old PC Gaming Review – - Physics engine assessment ↩

11. IGN Review – - PC version review and scoring ↩ ↩²

12. IGN Dreamcast Review – - Dreamcast version assessment ↩

13. Web Archive - GameZone Dreamcast Review – - Gameplay quality evaluation ↩

14. GameSpot Review – - Interface criticism and value assessment ↩ ↩²

15. GameSpot Review – - Critical assessment of controls and content ↩

16. DreamcastLive.net – - Modern retrospective assessment ↩ ↩²

17. LoneBullet Patch Archive – - Server shutdown and community patches ↩

18. Cool Pool Test Site – - Player preference comparisons ↩

19. Whirlpool Forums – - Community preservation efforts ↩