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Side Pocket (J) [M]

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Side Pocket Overview

WonderSwan
Sports
5· 0 votes

Side Pocket originally hit arcades back in 1986, courtesy of Data East, and quickly became a staple of the pool video game scene. This WonderSwan version is a port of that classic pocket billiards sim, bringing the same core gameplay to Bandai's handheld. It was released only in Japan, which explains the (J) tag in the filename. If you've ever wanted to play a solid pool game on the WonderSwan, this is one of the few options available.

GAME INFO

Platform: WonderSwan
Genre: Sports
Region: Japan

How to play Side Pocket online

Getting started: When you boot the game, you'll see a title screen with a few Japanese menu options. The first option is usually the main game (1 Player mode). Press X to confirm. You then choose your skill level (Easy, Normal, Hard) using the D-Pad and X. After that, you're at the pool table.

The core loop is straightforward: line up your shot by moving the cue ball icon with the D-Pad, then set the power gauge by pressing and releasing A (or B) depending on the control. Aim carefully, because the ball physics are surprisingly realistic for a handheld port. The objective is to pocket all your assigned balls (solids or stripes) and then the 8-ball, just like in standard 8-ball pool.

Since the game is entirely in Japanese, the menus can be tricky if you don't read the language. However, the pool gameplay itself is largely visual, so you can figure it out by trial and error. The same controls and flow apply to the practice and two-player modes, though the latter requires a second WonderSwan and link cable. Stick to the 1 Player mode to start.

CONTROLS

Controls

Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
X: A button
S: B button
Enter: Start
V: Sound

Side Pocket FAQ

Roughly how long does it take to finish Side Pocket?

A single game of 8-ball pool takes about 5 to 15 minutes depending on skill. There is no traditional story or campaign, so you can play indefinitely against the CPU at increasing difficulty levels.

Is Side Pocket an official release, a fan hack, a prototype, or another kind of build?

This is an official commercial release of the arcade game ported to WonderSwan. It was distributed physically in Japan during the console's lifetime.

Is Side Pocket exclusive to WonderSwan or did it appear on other systems?

Side Pocket originally appeared in arcades and was ported to the NES, Game Boy, Genesis, SNES, and Game Gear. The WonderSwan version is one of the later ports.