The Unofficial SNES Pixel Book – Review

Bitmap Books constantly rolls out one amazing book after another, here we review the next book in that long list, The Unofficial SNES Pixel Book. The tome has been specially created in collaboration with German publisher Elektrospieler and packs over 272 pages of content to celebrates Nintendo’s ultra-popular home console the SNES.

So let’s look at the book in more detail. It measures in at 250mm × 250mm, by most standards, this is an unusual shape these days but one that really works well. The 3mm protective board slipcase is spot-varnished and looks stunning, it really fits the book well giving you confidence that it will protect the book as designed. (The main book image is a replication of the slipcase). High quality lithographic print is used again from Bitmap Books, leaving you with no doubt of the quality of this book. Another nice addition is the sewn binding that gives you the ability to lay the book nice and flat.

Inside the book, you are met with a page that delivers some details about those that worked on the book this is followed by the usual index. You are then introduced to read a foreword by Jan Müller-Michaelis titled “Pixel Paradise”.  Jan describes how the SNES impacted his childhood, it’s a piece I was able to empathise with. The book is split into sections via game genres, these are Adventures and RPGS, The School Of Dragon Quest, Platform Games, Platform Action, Platform Adventure, Action Games, The Fighting Game and Other Genres (Puzzles, Strategies, Simulations).

The games featured are too numerous to mention them all but such classics as Donkey Kong Country, Earthworm Jim, F-Zero, The Legend of Zelda, Pilotwings, Super Mario Kart, Super Mario World, and many more including one of my personal all-time favourites, Zombies Ate My Neighbors is covered. Each one of them features some stunning imagery for you to feast your eyes on. There are literally, hundreds of visual wow moments as you go from one page to another, all the images have been captured exclusively for the book, from in-game screenshots to individual sprites and even some level maps which all help being the sense of nostalgia as you read through the book.

Bitmap Books has done it again, another outstanding achievement by all of those involved, and one that should be in your collection. If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a gaming-obsessed friend or relative then maybe this is the right here.

Feast your eyes on the book in this video, expertly created by 16bitbrit