Side Pocket

Side Pocket is a cue sports simulation game for the NES/Famicom, ported from the 1986 arcade original by Data East. The main mode is Pocket Game, a straight pool-style straight pool where players aim to pocket balls and achieve a score goal to advance through four levels, with increasing difficulty. Players earn points for consecutive pockets and numerical ball order, and can attempt trick shots that light up specific pockets for bonuses like extra lives. There are five lives, lost on scratches or consecutive misses. The game features photo-realistic elements in some ports but is faithful to arcade physics on NES. It stands out for its depth in pool mechanics, realistic ball movement, and challenging progression across cities as levels, with optional trick shot training.