Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Pro Pool on the Game Boy Color delivers a robust and surprisingly deep pool simulation experience. You can dive right into a single match against the computer or challenge a friend via link cable, making it perfect for both solo play and head-to-head competition. The controls are intuitive: a directional pad to aim and buttons to adjust power and spin. This simplicity belies the game’s depth, as mastering English shots and bank rebounds becomes essential for climbing the ranks.

The highlight of Pro Pool is undoubtedly the Hustle Mode. Starting with a modest $100 bankroll, you’re tasked with hustling your way through increasingly prestigious venues. Each location features tougher opponents and higher stakes, pushing you to sharpen your skills and manage your funds wisely. Losing a big match can be costly, so every shot counts and adds a real sense of tension and accomplishment when you pull off a difficult win.

Variety is another strength here. With game types such as 8 Ball, 9 Ball, 6 Ball, 3 Ball, Straight Pool, and even Speed Pool, Pro Pool keeps things fresh. Whether you’re looking for a classic game of 8 Ball or a quick adrenaline rush in Speed Pool, the title has you covered. Coupled with 64 distinct computer opponents, each with unique playing styles and difficulty levels, there’s plenty of replay value for serious cue sports enthusiasts.

Graphics

While Pro Pool is limited by the Game Boy Color’s hardware, the developers squeezed out impressive visuals that capture the essence of a dimly lit pool hall. Tables, balls, and cues are crisp and easily distinguishable, and subtle animations—like the cue tip striking the ball and scoreboard updates—add a touch of polish. The color palette is fairly muted, but this works in the game’s favor, reinforcing the moody atmosphere of underground hustling.

The overhead perspective offers clear sightlines for shot planning, with helpful guidelines that show predicted ball paths. These trajectory lines are dynamic and adjust smoothly as you tweak your aim and power, making it easier to visualize complex shots. Though you won’t see elaborate crowd animations or detailed character sprites, the minimalist approach keeps the action focused and unencumbered by unnecessary visual clutter.

Loading times between matches and venue transitions are minimal, ensuring you stay immersed in the action. Even on older hardware, Pro Pool maintains a steady frame rate, so there’s never a moment of lag to disrupt your shot timing. All in all, the graphical presentation fully serves the core gameplay, delivering clarity and style within the Game Boy Color’s constraints.

Story

Pro Pool doesn’t feature a traditional narrative with cutscenes or branching dialogues, but it tells a compelling story through its Hustle Mode progression. You start as an unknown player with only $100 in your pocket, and each victory propels you to flashier venues populated by seasoned competitors. This rise-from-rags-to-riches arc gives you a personal stake in every match, and losing can feel like a genuine setback in your quest for billiard supremacy.

Each computer opponent you encounter in Hustle Mode has a distinct persona—some are cocky veterans, others are quiet up-and-comers—though their characterization is conveyed purely through brief text introductions. These little touches inject personality into what might otherwise be a purely mechanical experience. Watching your bankroll grow after a hard-fought match adds to the sense of narrative momentum, even without cinematic story beats.

The ultimate goal of owning your own pool bar provides a satisfying narrative endpoint. By winning enough money and besting the toughest AI challengers, you graduate from hustler to proprietor, completing a full-circle journey. This progression framework is simple but effective, offering enough context to keep you engaged as you chase bigger risks and bigger rewards.

Overall Experience

Pro Pool stands out as one of the more ambitious cue sports titles on the Game Boy Color. It balances accessible controls with a rewarding learning curve, giving both casual players and hardcore pool fans reasons to stick around. The inclusion of multiple game modes and 64 opponents ensures that boredom is never an issue, while two-player link cable support doubles the fun by letting you challenge friends in real time.

The Hustle Mode is where Pro Pool truly shines, injecting a light narrative and sense of progression that keeps you invested match after match. Whether you’re struggling to build your bankroll or finally cashing in big at an upscale pool hall, each victory feels earned. The pacing is just right: you’re never left grinding endlessly, yet the challenge ramps up steadily to maintain tension and excitement.

Ultimately, if you own a Game Boy Color and have even a passing interest in billiards, Pro Pool is a must-try title. It punches above its weight with polished graphics, varied gameplay, and a surprisingly engaging progression system. For a handheld game of its era, it captures the essence of real-world pool hustling and delivers an experience that remains compelling even decades later.

Retro Replay Score

7.4/10