Editorial Review
More than 450 dream machines, from million-dollar sellers to exotic variants, are celebrated in this exhaustive reference to video gaming systems. The near-ubiquity of video games means that nearly every reader will have owned, played, or heard about at least a handful of the machines included, whether from Europe, Japan, or the United States. Beyond just images of the gaming decks, the book covers classic software in all of its authentic, pixilated glory, as well as key technical facts for each console and operating system. With nostalgia and an archivist's attention to detail, this compendium of virtual competition looks back on 33 years of staring at screens and furiously pressing buttons.
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Customer Reviews
Very compreensive guide 
2007-03-09
I'm a long time player, not know much about the specs, but played old Nintendo Game&Watchs, TRS80 COLOR, Atari2600, Intelevision, Mastersystem, Commodore Amiga, SNES, 3DO, Playstation, and now, with my 6 year old boy, i'm into gameboy advance sp. What can i say about the book ? All these videogames, and all the others i've only heard of are there, with many colours pics, many tech data, nice finishing of book, very nice! A must have!
An Absolute MUST-HAVE For Game Collectors 2007-03-05
If you're like me-- a game collector who refuses to play emulators and re-releases and only wants to play games the way they were meant to be played (on the original system it was made for), then you MUST own this book. It includes information on every system from 1972 (Magnavox Odyssey) all the way up to 2005 (DS and PSP being the last entries). If you need system listings beyond that, than you have issues that a book can't help. It's over 200 pages detailing every system released in the that time period.
The point of the book is not to get into detailed discussions about the history of video game systems and how they work. Some examples of a few important games released on each system are mentioned but never really described further. BUT THAT'S NOT THE PURPOSE HERE-- the focus is all on the machines. It usually goes into about 1-4 pages for each system, detailing the brief history behind the systems origination and eventual death, and all the stuff in between. At the end of that it also has a chart listing all the major variations, system models and expansions that were released for the system. Say you're interested in purchasing a Philips CD-i but don't understand what all the model numbers mean-- these charts will describe the model design, basic specs, and other things that differentiate it from the rest. Pictures of the system and screenshots of select games are plentiful.
This book is great for any casual gamer who wants a nostalgic trip, or just wants to wow over a bunch of systems they've never heard of. However, it's best use is for collectors. I use it both for background information on systems, and as a guidebook to new systems I might be interested in collecting for (i.e. is it worth purchasing, and if so, what model?; .... if you want info on what games to get for it, that's probably best done elsewhere).
Two things I should note, that some people may object to with the book. First, this is a history of all game machines. While you may collect only consoles or handhelds or home computers, this book will cover all of them. There are quite a bit of computers from the late 70's and 80's covered here. Some interesting, like the Commodore Amiga, and some not so interesting, like the Apple Macintosh. However, for the book to really be complete, I think these inclusions are necessary.
The more important note is that the book is slightly more focused on the European market. Originally this was written in Germany, and then later translated to English. So, because the author is German, you might get a few more references to Europe than other world markets. Do not let this discourage you from getting this book though-- the American and Japanese markets are covered extremely well. This author did his research. (And you can't expect a European writer to focus a worldwide released book solely on America.) If I were to estimate how the writing is directed I would say: 45% European markets, 35% American, 20% Japanese. Always, though, the greatest focus on each system is placed on where it originated. So for the NES (aka Famicom), you will read mostly about how it started in Japan and there will be a little less detail into its transition into the other markets.
Overall, an excellent resource and one that any collector absolutely should not be without. I doesn't matter how much game knowledge you have stored in your head, a book like this will be invaluable and belongs side-by-side with your 2600s and Neo Geos.
Great Historical Reference of Console Gaming 2007-01-18
This book gives the history of game console systems, from way back in the Pong days (early 1970's) through the XBOX. It offers pictures of the systems, explains the great and not-so-great features of each console, talks about revisions and special editions. Whether you were there and actually owned an old Atari 2600 or Commodore VIC-20 or if you are just interested in the history of console gaming, this is a great reference.
A very good research job 2006-08-30
Reading the book was like travelling in my memories. It is possible that all this time has passed?
A must-have for serious gamers. 2005-06-30
This is the best gaming-history reference book available. Every conceivable gaming device released since 1972 is covered, including obscure (by American standards) European and Japanese computers and systems. The hardware capabilities of each machine are explored, and there are full photo spreads of each system and its games, and sometimes evern variants (like the multiple Apple II or Atari 8-bit computer models.) In all, I cannot recommend this book enough. Buy it!
Recommened for Hardcore Retro Gamers 2008-05-11
Basically goes over 450 home consoles, (rounded to 420 full console reviews -- since the more obscure 30 are semi explained in the back with no photos) with full photos, descriptions, last game published until, complete models, and how well they sold amongst the competition at the time.
The book is split up into 4 segments. First, explains the different storage of each console (floppy disk, Hudson's Hu Card, GDROM ect) briefly. Second goes over first computer/arcade built. Then branches off into 4 eras.. Beginning (Atari, C64, MSX ect) until the crash, return of 8-bit (Nintendo, PCE, SMS ect), 32/64-bit + handheld - (Saturn, Nuon, 3DO ect) until Today: which is Xbox and Nintendo DS since it was published in 2003.
But I would fully recommend picking up a copy 5/5
GREAT BOOK 2008-01-29
Very cool book with cool photos and information about the classic gaming systems. It's not a "in depth" reading, but it's very fun.
Mixed bag of info with poor editing 
2007-07-03
I'm an American gamer from the old days. I started programming on a CBM PET, used Apple II, C64, Vic-20, Atari 400 and 800, Amiga, etc. and have used many game consoles (SNES, Xbox, PS2, etc.). One thing about this book is the very brief coverage of some areas. Things are not referenced, so when the author states that the PET was poor quality - it seems a jab. The original chicklet PETs were problematic, but the full-size keyboard ones (of which I had one) were extremely robust, and why they were in many schools in the US - you couldn't break them. Also, sound was easy to add via a $20 speaker but the book says they failed gamewise because without sound nobody made games for it (huh? I was just playing DeathPlanet with sound on my PET emulator!). Also, the text was apparently originally German, and translations are poor, for example Intellivision "at you fingerprints" should be "at your fingertips". Also, Fort Apocaplyse added 'depht' to Choplifter is an editing mistake, and furthermore Fort Apocalypse added 'depth' but was just made difficult by tight caverns and never achieved the fame of Choplifter (which was on every system and even the arcade). Computer screens were apparently added later. So Karateka is upside down on the monitor - hard to believe that Mount Fuji is upside down - is it really a cave game and that is a giant stalagmite? No, and for someone who played Karateka to the end and also Prince of Persia, it's more famous cousin, this lack of attention to detail is bad. Sometimes things are not noted, like an apple game screen shot of an adventure/RPG of stairs, does not mention what game that is (I went through my Apple emulator and it is Mystery House by Sierra On-Line). For SNES, C64 and Apple II should really have had much larger sections (yes, they get 4 pages and some systems get 1, but why can't the encyclopedia be comprehensive?). The C64 revolutionized home computing by offering (eventually) a $299 computer at K-mart (discount store in N. America - now supplanted by Wal-Mart). This made color computing, gaming and a real computer accessible. And the huge owner base encouraged thousands of games to be developed for it. Also, they ask Gordon Jump which machine was best to program on and he said C64, but they should have a whole page devoted to his Jumpman game which set a new standard for clever (30 unique levels), and high playability. Likewise, perhaps more profiles of developers like Sid Meier and others would have be a good addition. I was highly interested in the subject matter of this book but this book has gaps and editing problems.
Excellent vintage computer and console history 
2007-05-15
Very enjoyable read, nice use of colour, compact, some nice stats. Something you would use often as a resource. Covers absolutely everything. Only a couple of gripes - some of the computers only get brief mention, while others offer a 'lite' history of the company. But I would very much recommend this book.
i love this very much 2007-04-11
lot of photos, good design-layout, composition and information, easy to read.
this serie has 3 book.
this is the 1.5 (revise from Deutsch)
(no info about Nintendo Wii & Sony Playstation3)
the 2nd is about controlers "Joystick" just released in Deutsch, i want to see it in english ASAP.
