In comparison to earlier titles, the game is not only snooker-specific. It also allows players to play eight-ball and nine-ball pool, as well as a number of minigames including Trick Shot, In My Pocket, and Against The Clock.[4]
The game was also released with a version specifically designed to play in English pubs and bars.[5] The game features commentary from both Dennis Taylor and (for the first time) John Virgo.[6] John Virgo also lends his name to the unlockable trick shot mode, similar to the one seen in the snooker-based TV gameshow Big Break.[7]
World Championship Snooker 2003 received "mixed or average" and "generally positive" reviews, according to review aggregatorGameRankings.[8][9][10]Thunderbolt Games scored the game very highly, at 90%, calling it the "game of the highest standard."[11]
Eurogamer were less impressed with the game, scoring it 7/10, citing "WCS2003 may not look as good as it could do, or top Virtual Pool's still unbeaten control scheme for sheer genius, but it's got lots to do, [with] an unlockable John Virgo trickshot challenge (which is ace)[sic]".[7]