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.
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Top reviews from other countries
Telmo Mendes Leal
Not more not less, the perfect quantity of information about every thing.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 10, 2008
