Before Puyo Puyo (1991), Compile was mainly known as a studio which dealt with ports for arcade games to different consoles and computers. While this situation lasted until R-Type (1988), the studio occasionally dabbled in their own concept. Although Hustle! Chumy (1984) was their first attempt – then within the studio Programmers-3 – Lunar Pool perhaps appears as their first ambitious title. The concept is simply that of pool: the idea of adapting it to a video game is not a new one, since it was implemented as early as 1954 at the University of Michigan, by William Brown and Ted Lewis, for the MIDSAC. This game, Pool, even predates Tennis for Two (1958), which some consider to be the first video game. In fact, Pool, with its simple concept, was a natural choice to test the capabilities of university computers, which explains its presence in the proto-history of video games. As for Lunar Pool, the title remains one of the pioneers of the pool video game before the more serious takes in the 1990s.

The game allows one to play on 60 different tables, where the goal is to pocket the different balls with a limited number of moves. More precisely, the game gives three shots to pocket a ball, before the counter is reset to zero – else a life is lost. The title considers a level to be 'perfect' when the player is able to pocket at least one ball on each shot: this is a rather welcome challenge, which requires a certain amount of skill to overcome the most devious tables. Above all, the title also offer, in addition to the single player mode, to play against a friend or the computer. The artistic polish isn't necessary the best, though: the soundtrack is very repetitive, but I have to admit that I didn't dislike it: it gives a nice feeling that I found also in Shenzhen I/O's (2016) OST and the fact that each table can be considered a puzzle allowed me to emulate a certain mental state I had on Zachtronics' games.

Ultimately, there is hardly anything bad to say about this title. Although the NES doesn't allow the extreme accuracy one would sometimes life, the game still fulfils the objectives it set out to achieve, while offering ample replayability. More than that, the title boasts an interesting customisation option, as the player can choose the friction of the table, which changes the trajectory calculations. Compile will take up the concept of pool in Champion Billiards (1986) and Parlour Games (1987), but Lunar Pool is probably the most accessible and effective version for a short, but enjoyable experience.