Hit Points: An Anthology of Video Game Poetry [Green Edition]

by Matthew Haigh (Editor), Aaron Kent (Editor), Rhys Owain Williams (Contributor)

Video games and poetry may be an unlikely seeming match – if video games are one of the most popular imaginative forms in contemporary culture, then poetry could be one of the most neglected. Hit Points, edited by Matthew Haigh and Aaron Kent, shows where these two disparate worlds meet and how good they are for each other. Featuring a selection of the finest voices in contemporary poetry, Hit Points will have you gripped until 'Game Over'.

The Mario Red variant contains a running order decided by Aaron Kent, with two exclusive poems by Aaron at the start. The Luigi Green variant contains a running order decided by Matthew Haigh, with two exclusive poems by Matthew at the start.

Genres: Poetry

100 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2021

Reviews

[Goodreeds User · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ooosh! Very exciting stuff, lots of interesting and refreshingly personal approaches, as well as some sharp and incisive formal play, a lot to like in here

[Siobhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I sometimes rate poetry books by how much they inspire me to go and write a poem, and this one did just that. Love the range of styles and video games covered.

[Calum Mackenzie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow erm, I’m confused, bemused and very lost! In terms of target audience I’m the right age (most references are from games and consoles from the 80s and 90s) but it’s such laborious drivel.

It’s the kind of poetry that leaves people thinking they don’t like poetry or can’t write it if it’s supposed to be this.

The target audience??? People that love (loved) gaming in the decades mentioned and love poetry and love this confusing rubbish.

I’ve given a star for the poem ‘Outrun’ which I thought was clever and beautiful but apart from that…

I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone, even adults who were gamers back then…

[Kaja Wojtkowska · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some hits and some misses, my favourites were 'you are always Ryu...' and '3 ecchoes for ecco'.