20 Arcade Games That Prove 1986 Was A Landmark Year For Gaming

16. Side Pocket – Data East

Out Run Title Screen
Data East

The second sports game on this list, Side Pocket did for pool what Double Dribble did for basketball. Data East’s game went all out to recreate the world of pool and billiards from the seedy locations and lifelike characters to the funky jazz soundtrack and trick shot challenges. 

For the first time in a video game you had full control over both the cue and the ball, allowing you to perform just about every type of shot imaginable. It also managed to be just as good on your own as it was playing against a friend.

 
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Contributor

Kieren is from England and is a well known figure in gaming circles. As a writer he is probably best known for his work on the award-winning Retro Gamer magazine but over the years he has written for numerous publications and websites. A keen games collector himself, he is also the organiser of several UK-based gaming events and has a big social media presence.