Side Pocket

Side Pocket is a multi-platform series of pocket billiards (pool) simulator video games produced principally by Data East in beginning 1987. There are three games in the series.

Original game
Originally released as an arcade game in 1987, Side Pocket was later ported to the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, NES, Super NES, Game Boy, Game Gear, and WonderSwan.

The unusual single player mode, called "pocket", requires that the player clear all the balls off the table in a limited number of shots, as well as achieve a predetermined score. The player earns points by sinking balls, sinking balls on consecutive shots, and sinking balls in numerical order. On occasion, a pocket will light up, and if the player sinks a ball into that pocket on that shot, a bonus will be earned in the form of points or extra shots. In the two-player "pocket" mode, the game plays similarly, except the two players take turns; if one player does not pocket a ball or scratches, control of the ball changes to the other player.

There is also a two-player nine-ball mode.

A variety of trick shot challenges are also available to the player(s), to earn additional points or extra shots, requiring the player sink all balls into select pockets using a single shot. The player may put various spins on the ball, such as left and right, and perform and.

Reception
In reviewing the NES version, Computer Gaming World declared it "far and away the best billiards simulation ever published for any system." The features that went beyond realistic pool were especially praised as enhancing the game's play.

Sequels
The game had three sequels, Minnesota Fats: Pool Legend (released as Side Pocket 2 outside the United States) in 1992 for the Sega Genesis, Side Pocket 2 for the Sega Saturn, and Side Pocket 3 for the Sega Saturn and original PlayStation.

Licensing
G-mode currently owns the intellectual property rights to the Side Pocket series, and licenses these games globally.