Play Side Pocket Online

Summary

The NES version of Side Pocket brings the arcade’s pocket‑billiards feel straight to the living‑room console. It keeps the core "Pocket Game" where you chase a target score across four to five increasingly tough levels, earning extra points for consecutive pots, ordered runs, and the occasional flashing‑star bonus that can grant lives or a bonus round. A scratch or two missed turns in a row costs a life, so precision is key.

In two‑player mode you can pick the classic Pocket Game, which simply swaps the cue after a miss with no lives at stake, or the more ruthless 9‑Ball Game where each player starts with three lives and loses one on any foul—though a clean shot on the next turn restores the lost life.

The game also hides a set of trick‑shot challenges that reward you with points or an extra life if you can sink all balls into designated pockets with a single stroke. You can apply left or right English, pull off masse shots, or even jump the cue ball, adding a layer of skill beyond simple potting.

The NES port mirrors the arcade experience but tweaks the balance: you begin with five lives instead of two, and the Pocket Game offers four distinct rack configurations that later versions would adopt as standard.