Bass Hunter 64

Unless you count the one-off sections in Zelda, Nintendo fishing fanatics haven't had so much as a nibble when it comes to armchair angling. Which is strange considering other consoles including PlayStation and Dreamcast have been inundated with numerous bass-related titles. In-Fisherman Bass Hunter 64 (let's call it IFBH64) is the very first dedicated fishing simulation featuring those long suffering piscines.

The emphasis is very much on realism, as opposed to instantaneous arcade gratification, but the three difficulty levels and on-line tutorial ensures that it's accessible to seasoned pros and amateurs alike. Just know that to catch the plumpest specimens, certain rules need to be adhered to, such as tackle and lure selection, season, colour and temperature of water, and lake location. Take onboard all these little nuances and, before long, you'll be hooked! Although it doesn't mean anything to us, the In-Fisherman name is big with a capital B in the States, as are all the tackle dealers used throughout.

Strike!

We won't bore you with all their names, but suffice it to say all of the rods, reels, boats, lakes and artificial bait combos are licensed. Other features include expert advice from a top pro, varying light and weather conditions, electronic fish finders and rumble pack nibbles. The latter work well and the trick to hooking bass is knowing when to strike after the fish takes an interest in the bait.

There are two modes of play – Championship and Fishing For Fun, and you can fish as a man or a woman. Neat. In Championship mode, players compete in timed events, where they are informed of specific objectives, locale, weather conditions and water temperature. The rest is up to you. Either start fishing where you begin, or open up the throttle and discover the best fishing spots in your boat. This is far more fun than it should be – not only can you tear through the water like a maniac, but the graphical detail above and around each lake is excellent.

Okay, you've absorbed all the advice and you want to get your tackle out. After choosing the best bait/rod/reel combination, it's time to cast out your line. There are three ways to do this and there's a metre to gauge how far you toss out the lure. Simple stuff, but effective.

Worm

The real skill of the game is tempting the slimy suckers onto your bait. The graphics underwater are a bit lustreless, however, and the animations of the fish average to say the least. The AI as they pull the line one way then the other is admirable, though, and you have to adjust line tension and negotiate potential snags before reeling them in. Lost fish are a common occurrence, but patience, skill and not a little luck reap their rewards as you become more adept at the fineries of bass angling. Winning competitions endows the player with more cash for better equipment and as a consequence of this, bigger hauls of fish. Take 2 appears to have struck the correct balance of skill with accessibility, making In-Fisherman Bass Hunter 64 a worthy addition to anybody's software collection. The sound effects are feeble, there's not much commentary and the underwater action could have been better, but Take 2 has laid down the gauntlet for other companies and produced a top-notch example of the genre. With its engrossing angle (sorry) on the sport, we'll be up with the early bird hauling in those beleaguered bass well after the sun goes down.