Play Side Pocket on GB Online

Side Pocket came out on the Game Boy in 1990, published by Data East. It was part of that early wave of portable games that tried to translate a specific, real world activity into something you could play in short bursts on the go. While other games offered adventures or puzzles, this one was just about pool, a straightforward concept for a system still finding its footing.

You control a cue stick, carefully positioning it and adjusting the power of your shot to sink balls. The main goal is to clear the table of all your assigned balls and then pocket the 8-ball to win and advance through a series of tournaments. The key mechanics involve judging angles for bank shots and managing the spin you put on the cue ball to set up your next play. The game moves at a deliberate, thoughtful pace, and a single miscalculation can force you to reset the entire table, making consistency a real challenge. It feels like a genuine test of patience and precision, where every shot matters.