Pool Sharks

Pool Sharks, released by Bally in 1989, represents a creative fusion of pinball mechanics with the popular bar game of pool/billiards. The machine cleverly incorporated pool table aesthetics and gameplay elements into traditional pinball action, making it instantly recognizable and appealing to both pinball enthusiasts and pool players.

The playfield design featured unique innovations including simulated pool balls as targets, pool cue-themed ramps, and corner pocket shots that mimicked actual billiards gameplay. The machine's artwork and callouts were filled with pool hall atmosphere and billiards terminology, creating an immersive theme that resonated with players. The scoring system was built around making 'shots' and completing various pool game objectives.

Released during the solid-state era of pinball development, Pool Sharks demonstrated Bally's commitment to thematic innovation during a highly competitive period in pinball history. While not as widely produced as some other titles of its era, Pool Sharks has maintained a dedicated following among collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate its unique theme and clever integration of billiards concepts into pinball gameplay. The machine stands as a notable example of how pinball designers in the late 1980s were pushing creative boundaries by incorporating other popular games and pastimes into their designs.