Side Pocket on NES is one of those pool games that actually gets the physics right—well, as right as an 8-bit console could manage. You start off in single-player "Pocket" mode, where the goal is to clear the table in as few shots as possible while hitting a target score. Sinking balls in order or chaining shots together racks up points, but the real fun comes when a pocket suddenly lights up. Hit a ball into that one, and you might get bonus points, extra shots, or a chance to pull off a trick shot for even more rewards.

Two-player mode works the same way, just with that classic back-and-forth tension—if you mess up or scratch, your opponent gets their turn. There’s also Nine Ball, but it’s strictly multiplayer, so grab a friend. And if you’re feeling fancy, the trick shot challenges force you to get creative with angles, trying to sink every ball in one go. It’s simple, but way more satisfying than it has any right to be.