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Press Start: The Complete History of Video Gaming From Mario to Minecraft
FULLY ILLUSTRATED AND UPDATED - THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO VIDEO GAMING HISTORY
Pac-Man, Mario, Tomb Raider, The Sims, GTA, Minecraft, Fortnite... Video games are now one of the pillars of popular culture. This comprehensive, visually rich book chronicles the history of video games from their earliest roots in 1958 up to the present day, from simple pixels to the stunningly realistic visuals of modern blockbusters.
Explore the evolution of the industry through the iconic artworks, stories, and characters that have defined gaming across generations. Rediscover the classics titles from Nintendo Switch's Animal Crossing and Breath of the Wild, to Elden Ring and God of War on the Sony PlayStation 5, as well as a multitude of independent gems and record-breaking franchises.
This newly updated edition highlights the standout games and key milestones over more than 50 years, diving into the creative and technological lore that have made video games what they are today. Filled with nostalgia, insights, and rich artwork, this book is a must-have for any video game fan, offering a captivating journey through the vibrant history of gaming and the titles that have captivated millions worldwide.
Pac-Man, Mario, Tomb Raider, The Sims, GTA, Minecraft, Fortnite... Video games are now one of the pillars of popular culture. This comprehensive, visually rich book chronicles the history of video games from their earliest roots in 1958 up to the present day, from simple pixels to the stunningly realistic visuals of modern blockbusters.
Explore the evolution of the industry through the iconic artworks, stories, and characters that have defined gaming across generations. Rediscover the classics titles from Nintendo Switch's Animal Crossing and Breath of the Wild, to Elden Ring and God of War on the Sony PlayStation 5, as well as a multitude of independent gems and record-breaking franchises.
This newly updated edition highlights the standout games and key milestones over more than 50 years, diving into the creative and technological lore that have made video games what they are today. Filled with nostalgia, insights, and rich artwork, this book is a must-have for any video game fan, offering a captivating journey through the vibrant history of gaming and the titles that have captivated millions worldwide.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 25, 2025
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January 10, 2026
The author's takes were refreshing to me. I liked when he included comments on racism, feminism, misogyny, and transphobia relating to the culture of video games, the players, and the developers. I also liked that he included comments on how modern game developers have at times faced poor work conditions and even harassment/assault when rushing to make deadlines. All of these somewhat controversial subjects are rarely discussed by other video game media I consume. On the other hand, I can only rate it a 3/5 because there were many typos, factual errors, awkward translations, and some parts that were mistakenly left in French. It's clear that it was translated to British English, but I'm comfortable reading that dialect despite being American. I just can't believe the editors missed things like "Les Sims", "Pokèmon Jaune", a comma in the middle of a word, and GLaDOS from Portal being spelled "GalDOS", to name a few!
Displaying 1 of 1 review