G-Mode owns the intellectual property rights to the Side Pocket series, and licenses these games globally.

While the gameplay remains the same, Pocket Gal Deluxe features revamped graphics, more levels and includes a MIDI-based jazz music.

This version features completely different contents compared to the original, including revamped graphics, new smooth jazz-oriented soundtrack, new sound effects and photo-realistic background sceneries during gameplay.

In Japan, Game Machine listed Side Pocket on their August 1, 1986 issue as being the eighth most-successful table arcade unit of the month.

[6] In reviewing the NES version, Computer Gaming World declared it "far and away the best billiards simulation ever published for any system".

There are plenty of great options and genuine pool strategies to keep serious players interested, and yet it's simple enough to play without the manual.

"[8] They gave the Game Gear version a more mixed review, commenting that the representation of the player's stick as a stream of balls is needlessly cumbersome, and that the graphics and sound are poor.

However, they summarized, "Determining the precise angle and power for a shot can be harder than taking a geometry test, but it's definitely more fun.

"[9] Electronic Gaming Monthly also complained of poor sounds but were more impressed with the graphics, describing them as exceptional for a portable system.

[10] Entertainment Weekly gave the game a B− and wrote that "Insipid electronic lounge sounds are an integral component of Side Pocket (for Genesis), which presents American pool halls as a series of squeaky-clean (no beer stains on the felt here), nonconfrontational venues where your sole objective is to play pool — and not, say, impress your date with how many shots of tequila you can down in five minutes.

Embodying this utilitarian approach is the game's hyper-realistic, overhead-angle table display — not as realistic, unfortunately, is its follow-the-dotted-line aiming system, which allows you to hit the cue ball in only about half a dozen places.