Side Pocket 3

About

Side Pocket 3 is a digital pocket billiards game that brings pool tables into living rooms with a mix of 3D environments and classic top-down views. Players take aim in modes like story, training, and head-to-head matches, with options to play eight ball, nine ball, or more niche formats like 14.1 continuous and bowlliards. The game features Kyoko Sone, a real-life professional from the JPBA, adding a touch of authenticity to the competitive side. Controls focus on precise shot angles and spin adjustments, while the variety of tables and rule sets keeps each session feeling distinct. The standout here is the balance between modern 3D visuals for its time and the flexibility to play like a traditional 2D pool game. With over a dozen game types and modes, it caters to casual players and those looking for deeper challenges. Limited to Japanese release in 1997, it remains a niche title for retro arcades and collectors. The inclusion of Sone’s likeness and the range of billiards styles make it a curiosity for fans of the sport genre’s older entries.