I don't much like fishing games or even the idea of them, and tho I recognise this as a classic I only ever played it once or twice in arcades in my youth and never on a console. WARNING you can no longer buy this game on the Steam storefront, so you'll need to be lucky enough to find a Steam key if you don't own this.

So given the above why did this game have me hooked (sorry, expect a few more puns)? I did try it when I bought it and bounced off it again, but this time I took the bait...and fell in love to the point of going for 100% On reflection i think it's just the joyous, simpleness of how videogames used to work - this is NO sim, and yet it captures the essence of fishing (I know because a fishing friend IRL told me!) And it turns out, it's a fun, replayable video game like they used to make 'em.

The Arcade mode is pretty superfluous after you get the gist of how to play and complete it with unlimited credits. The big tuna here is Original Mode which is basically like a career mode, takes a while, and helps you learn as you go. Before you know it you'll be pulling in whoppers like a health inspector at a badly-run Burger King.

There's something about working out the technique and simple but twitchy controls, and soon the right location, the right time of day and the right persistence gives you all that lovely dopamine reserved only for doing hobbies via the medium of videogames.

And then there's a practice mode where you can enjoy the mechanisms of the game (read: get achievements) without any time pressures.

Not everyone will like this: it could be viewed as clunky to play, dated, repetitive and limited I guess but if it catches you like it did me, it's not a net you even want to escape from.

I love fishing and this is a great time killer if I am really bored. I don't typically play for more than 30 minutes, but its a fun arcade game. Sad to see it get delisted.