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Side Pocket
花式台球
Side Pocket is an action game released by Data East Corporation in 1986 for arcade. Players control a pool player aiming to sink balls into pockets across various table layouts. The game combines billiards mechanics with action gameplay, requiring precise angle and power adjustment using joystick controls. Players progress through multiple levels, each presenting different table configurations and difficulty increases. The objective is to clear designated balls within time limits while avoiding obstacles and hazards on the playfield. Side Pocket emphasizes quick reflexes and strategic ball positioning.
- Developer
- Data East Corporation
- Released
- 1986
- Platform
- Arcade
- Genre
- Action
- Rating
- 4.5 / 5 (3.7K)
- Last updated
Side Pocket Controls — Arcade Keyboard Keys
Default keyboard bindings for Side Pocket on our in-browser Arcade emulator. Plug in a USB or Bluetooth gamepad to auto-detect mappings, or rebind any key from the emulator settings menu.
| Keyboard | Console button | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| ↑ | Joystick Up | Move up |
| ↓ | Joystick Down | Move down |
| ← | Joystick Left | Move left |
| → | Joystick Right | Move right |
| X | Button 1 | Primary action (jump / confirm) |
| Z | Button 2 | Secondary action (attack / cancel) |
| S | Button 3 | Tertiary action |
| A | Button 4 | Quaternary action |
| Q | Button 5 | Fifth button |
| W | Button 6 | Sixth button |
| 5 | Insert Coin | Insert coin |
| 1 | 1P Start | Start / Pause |
Coin and Start are convention "Insert Coin: 5" and "1P Start: 1". Some arcade boards expect specific button mappings — check the in-game prompts on coin-up.
Rebind any key from the EmulatorJS in-game settings menu (gear icon → Controls). A connected gamepad auto-maps to the same buttons.
Side Pocket Longplay & Gameplay Videos
Watch a full playthrough of Side Pocket on Arcade before you dive in — recommended for getting a feel for the game's pacing, story beats, and difficulty curve.
Watch longplay on YouTube
"Side Pocket" Arcade longplay 1986
External references
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Side Pocket released?
Side Pocket was released in 1986 for the Arcade.
Who developed Side Pocket?
Side Pocket was developed by Data East Corporation, available to play in your browser on RetroGameSpace.
What type of game is Side Pocket?
Side Pocket is a Action game for the Arcade, playable instantly in your browser — no downloads, no installs.
How can I play Side Pocket for free?
Open this page and click "Play Now" — Side Pocket runs free in your browser via WebAssembly emulation. No account, no payment, no installer.
Do I need to download anything to play Side Pocket in the browser?
No. Side Pocket streams from a public archive into a browser-side Arcade emulator. Nothing is installed on your computer.
Can I save my progress in Side Pocket?
Yes. Save states are stored in your browser (IndexedDB) per game, and you can also use any in-game save the original Arcade cartridge supported.
Does Side Pocket work on mobile devices?
Yes — the Arcade emulator runs on iOS Safari and Android Chrome. Touch controls overlay the game; landscape mode is recommended.
Is it legal to play Side Pocket this way?
RetroGameSpace is a transient caching reverse-proxy and does not host first-party copies of Side Pocket. Game files are fetched on demand from publicly-accessible archives. You are responsible for compliance with your local laws and the bring-your-own-ROM principle.
