Retro Video Gamer

Welcome to Retro Video Gamer => Retro News & Chat => Topic started by: zapiy on September 06, 2012, 20:40:38 PM

Title: Top 24 Books About Video Games
Post by: zapiy on September 06, 2012, 20:40:38 PM
I wondered if a few of these were any good.. might pick a couple up now.

Also The History of Nintendo vol. 1 & vol. 2 by Pix n Love are ranked #3 and #6 in the ranking.

http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1234 ... s#12393199 (http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/12349.Books_About_Video_Games#12393199)
Title: Re: Top 24 Books About Video Games
Post by: TL on September 06, 2012, 20:45:04 PM
Quote from: "zapiy"I wondered if a few of these were any good.. might pick a couple up now.

Also The History of Nintendo vol. 1 & vol. 2 by Pix n Love are ranked #3 and #6 in the ranking.

http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1234 ... s#12393199 (http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/12349.Books_About_Video_Games#12393199)

I have the first History Of Nintendo book and its really good!

I have heard Phoenix: Rise & Fall is a really good book.
Title: Re: Top 24 Books About Video Games
Post by: tomwaits on September 07, 2012, 15:24:23 PM
I've read about half of the books on that list... Ultimate History, Phoenix, and Game Over are all excellent overviews on the history of the videogame industry. There's a lot of overlap but they all have some unique details/perspectives. If you're only buying one or two, my preference is in the order that I listed.

For fiction, Ready Player One is one of my all-time favorite books. If you're old enough to remember Zork, early arcade games, and obscure 80's movies/music it's loaded with fun. The whole plot revolves around 80's nerd culture. Might be too much nostalgia but I didn't mind. Warner Bros bought the movie rights.

I have a lot of other favorites that aren't on that list. There are a lot of great books about retro gaming...
Title: Re: Top 24 Books About Video Games
Post by: zapiy on September 07, 2012, 17:50:40 PM
Nice one Tom, why don't you do a write up on a few?
Title: Re: Top 24 Books About Video Games
Post by: Mire Mare on September 08, 2012, 13:57:51 PM
Masters of Doom is a brilliant book. It's a joy to read, is comprehensive and full of character.

Buy it and read it!
Title: Re: Top 24 Books About Video Games
Post by: 108 Stars on September 20, 2012, 23:09:35 PM
I miss this one on the list:
http://www.amazon.com/Game-Machines-197 ... 0987830503 (http://www.amazon.com/Game-Machines-1972-2012-Encyclopedia-Handhelds/dp/0987830503)

I have it signed by the author. It lists almost all consoles and home computers from the 70ies to currebt gen, with a short history, overview of the games and variations... there are a few errors or disputale things, but that comes with the territory; after all it's one author trying to do the entire business justice. He always corrects errors when he can validate them in new print runs; I reported a few to him as well.

Pong systems are not included, the basic theme is systems with exchangeable games. But really cool stuff. :)
Title: Re: Top 24 Books About Video Games
Post by: Bobinator on October 01, 2012, 15:09:25 PM
Personally, I'd recommend this: The Hardcore Gaming 101 Guide To Classic Adventure Games (//http). Basically, it's a book full of articles on point and click adventure games. There's the obvious stuff in there, of course, like Monkey Island, King's Quest, and Myst, but there's a lot more obscure stuff in there, too. For example, did you know there was a Scooby Doo adventure game for the Genesis/Megadrive? Did you also know that it wasn't terrible?

Also, I wrote a section of the book, myself for the Hugo Trilogy on DOS. They're awful! You should buy this book so you can read about it! Blatant advertising!
Title: Re: Top 24 Books About Video Games
Post by: 108 Stars on October 01, 2012, 20:25:54 PM
Quote from: "Bobinator"For example, did you know there was a Scooby Doo adventure game for the Genesis/Megadrive? Did you also know that it wasn't terrible?

I did. And I did. :)
Title: Re: Top 24 Books About Video Games
Post by: ColecoVisionist on October 10, 2012, 16:38:53 PM
Here's a good one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Classic-Home-Vi ... 518&sr=8-2 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Classic-Home-Video-Games-1989-1990/dp/0786441720/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1349883518&sr=8-2)

:)
Title: Re: Top 24 Books About Video Games
Post by: Alberto 2K on October 15, 2012, 23:10:12 PM
I really like "Invasion of the Space Invaders" by Martin Amis, it´s a review of how things were in the arcades in the early 80s with a lot of pics of people playing and also reviews some hits like Tempest, Space Invaders, Galaxian etc...

It´s a bit pricey and it´s not a big book but the pics and stories are superb. :)

(http://www.themillions.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/570_AmisTop.jpg)