Side Pocket Game Gear box art

Sega Game Gear · Sports

Side Pocket

SystemSega Game Gear
Released1994
GenreSports
DeveloperOpera House
PublisherData East
Players1–2 players
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
SeriesSide Pocket
LegacyDeep cut

Developed by Opera House and published by Data East, Side Pocket arrived on the Sega Game Gear in 1994 as a sports game.

It landed about 3 years into the Game Gear's life. Other notable Game Gear releases from 1994 include Sonic Drift, Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble and Shining Force: The Sword of Hajya.

It is part of the Side Pocket series.

Side Pocket supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.

Pick it if…

  • you want to race and compete
  • you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
  • you have a friend to play against
  • you've played the Game Gear hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you need current teams and rosters

What playing Side Pocket is like

Sports games bring football, baseball, hockey, golf, tennis, wrestling and more to the console, from simulation-style management to over-the-top arcade action.

Tip for newcomers: Arcade-style sports games are the easiest to enjoy today; simulation titles may have outdated rosters but still offer satisfying gameplay.

Side Pocket gameplay screenshot on Game Gear
In-game screenshot (Game Gear)

Side Pocket cheats & codes

5 codes on file (Other codes). Here are a few Other codes codes to start with:

Infinite Shots - Pocket Game3AF-20E-2A2
Start with ?? shots in Pocket Game, instead of 10101-CEE-C42
Infinite Shots - Pocket Game00C2-D020
Have at least 25,600 Score00C2-C701
Balls pocketed are worth ??, instead of 100027-80E-E6E

See all Side Pocket cheats

If you like Side Pocket, the Matrix also picks…

FIFA 97 box art
FIFA 97 SNES · 1996 · Sports Classic

Playing Game Gear games today

Game Gear games are compact, colorful and closely related to the Master System library, so they are quick to dive into.

Side Pocket FAQ

When did Side Pocket come out on the Game Gear?

Side Pocket was released for the Sega Game Gear in 1994.

Who made Side Pocket?

It was developed by Opera House and published by Data East.

Is Side Pocket multiplayer?

Yes. Side Pocket supports up to 2 players.

How long does Side Pocket take to play?

As a sports game, Side Pocket typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

Not sure? Let the Matrix pick for you