Lunar Pool
1985 video game
title: "Lunar Pool" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1985-video-games", "compile-(company)-games", "cue-sports-video-games", "fantasy-sports-video-games", "fujisankei-communications-international-games", "miniature-golf-video-games", "msx-games", "multiplayer-and-single-player-video-games", "nec-pc-8801-games", "nintendo-entertainment-system-games", "pony-canyon-games", "video-games-developed-in-japan", "virtual-console-games"] description: "1985 video game" topic_path: "sports" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_Pool" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary 1985 video game ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox video game"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| title | Lunar Pool |
| image | LunarPoolNESBoxart.jpg |
| caption | NES box cover |
| developer | Compile |
| publisher | Pony Canyon (Japan) |
| FCI (Worldwide) | |
| composer | Masatomo Miyamoto |
| released | PC-88 NES MSX Wii VC |
| genre | Sports |
| modes | Single-player, multiplayer |
| platforms | PC-8800 series, NES, MSX; |
| re-release: Wii Virtual Console | |
| :: |
| title = Lunar Pool | image = LunarPoolNESBoxart.jpg | caption = NES box cover | developer = Compile | publisher = Pony Canyon (Japan) FCI (Worldwide) | designer = | composer = Masatomo Miyamoto | engine = | released = PC-88 NES MSX Wii VC | genre = Sports | modes = Single-player, multiplayer | platforms = PC-8800 series, NES, MSX; re-release: Wii Virtual Console
Gameplay
Lunar Pool is played on virtual pool tables of different shapes, some containing obstacles. The player must shoot the cue ball to knock other colored object balls into the pockets. One life is lost whenever the player either fails to pocket an object ball on three consecutive shots or pockets the cue ball. Completing a level awards one extra life, or two if the player has pocketed at least one ball on every shot.
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/Lunar_Pool_NES.gif" caption="The final stage in ''Lunar Pool''"] ::
The value of each ball is determined by its number and the displayed "Rate" value, which starts at 1 and increases after every shot where the player pockets at least one ball. Failing this resets the Rate to 1. Bonus points are awarded for completing a level without a miss.
The game ends after all lives are lost or 60 levels have been completed, whichever occurs first.
Modes
Lunar Pool can either be played alone, against another player, or against the computer. If the game is played against another player or the computer, players take turns shooting the cue ball. If one player fails to knock at least one of the colored balls into a pocket, or pockets the cue ball, then it becomes the opponent's turn.
The game includes an adjustable friction setting, which determines the rate the balls slow down after being hit, as if affected by different amounts of gravity (thus the lunar reference in the title, along with Moon-related background imagery within the game).
Cultural references
In the Mexican soap opera María la del Barrio, José María (Roberto Blandón) plays Lunar Pool on the NES.
References
References
- (27 December 2022). "Tita confronta a María {{!}} María la del Barrio 2/4 {{!}} C-22 {{!}} tlnovelas".
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