David Sheff's Game Over

[BocoDragon]

I remember reading this book when I was very young and enjoying it (the original 1993 printing). The thing's out of print, though.

Is there any other interest in seeing this book back in print?

Does anyone with a mature memory remember if the book was actually good?

I almost think someone should let the publisher know that anything related to "Nintendo" would probably sell like hotcakes. Get Sheff to update the thing until Wii :)

[tom]

I like the bit where it says that Nintendo always 'doctored' their hardware sales figures to their own advantage.

[segaman]

I think the best part where it has Alekxy Pajitnov (the creator of tetris) driving up a huge hill (it almost went into the clouds), and at the very top, there is a "hill" sign. Under it, someone sprayed "no Sh*t" (it was in the 1999 reprint). I do think it should be made up to the Wii. I would buy it. (It was actually good. I own the reprint)

[Goblin]

I have a copy that I got a few years ago (probably the reprint, green cover I think) and I don't remember the book being very good. I had just read the fantastic "Phoenix" and then "First Quater" and found this one to just be a bit boring and dry. Since it's out of print if anyone want my copy send me a PM and we might be able to work something out.

[gepeto]

I love it eb was giving the books away at the gamecube launch as a preorder bonus. It was very interesting looking into the minds of nintendo and the strict guidlines for quality. The tetris story was interesting as well.

[ryborg]

I love it eb was giving the books away at the gamecube launch as a preorder bonus.

WHAT??? Mine didn't! I have been looking for this book for some time. It's pretty rare, as recent books go, and whenever one pops up on ebay, it goes for more than I'm usually willing to pay for. I've never seen one in the wild, either. I'd love to see it back in print, even without new material.

[Windy Miller]

I got a copy free with the magazine called Arcade that was printed in the UK for a short while. I've still got it on my shelf & dip into it every now & again. A good little book. :)

[youruglyclone]

really? cause I bought a copy for like 1.50...and I believe it's also a first edition.

[Captain Wrong]

Wow. I had no idea about this one. I bought a copy at EB for less than $3. You can get the first edition for $6.50 at Amazon. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FGame-Over-Nintendo-American-Industry%2Fdp%2F0679404694%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks %26qid%3D1178636221%26sr%3D1-3&tag=httpcaptaiblo-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325) Better than nothing and better than the $40+ the update goes for.

[tom]

I got a copy free with the magazine called Arcade that was printed in the UK for a short while. I've still got it on my shelf & dip into it every now & again. A good little book. :)

That one doesn't count, as they (Future Publishing) took out two or three whole chapters, approx 100 pages missing.

[BocoDragon]

That one doesn't count, as they (Future Publishing) took out two or three whole chapters, approx 100 pages missing.

Did they actually take out chapters?..... Or is it just missing the years 1993-1996 since it's the first edition? ;)

That seems to be the edition I read.... The funny thing is how the cover makes it look like it was written by Jack Thompson. That's what brought it to my attention actually.... my father was in the bookstore and showed it to me.... probably so I would know how I was getting raped by the big N. :D

14 years later I'd rather just own it as a Nintendo collectible :P I think dad failed.

[tom]

Did they actually take out chapters?..... Or is it just missing the years 1993-1996 since it's the first edition? ;)

That seems to be the edition I read.... The funny thing is how the cover makes it look like it was written by Jack Thompson. That's what brought it to my attention actually.... my father was in the bookstore and showed it to me.... probably so I would know how I was getting raped by the big N. :D

14 years later I'd rather just own it as a Nintendo collectible :P I think dad failed.


They took out chapters from the first edition, approx 100 pages missing. I don't know why though. It actually says in the beginning of the book, that it's edited or something. I couldn't believe it when I received mine (after purchasing the magazine 'Arcade'), and I looked through my purchased copy and the FP copy chapter by chapter for comparison, written down what's missing (Lots of info from chapter 12: Game Over, or even the whole chapter, if I remember right. Bits from 'Borders' were edited too.). I emailed (wrote? Cannot remember.) FP about it at the time, but I never received an answer. Later they gave away the same butchered copy as a subscribers bonus for their N64 magazine. Haven't got the butchered version anymore, only the second (green) edition, so I cannot give you a definitive answer nowadays, sorry..

[rbudrick]

Just how many editions of this book came out? I thought it was more than 2.

-Rob

[rolenta]

Just how many editions of this book came out? I thought it was more than 2.

There were three American editions:
1993 - Game Over: How Nintendo Zapped an American Industry, Captured Your Dollars, and Enslaved Your Children

1994 - Game Over: How Nintendo Conquered The World

1999 - Game Over: Press Start To Continue - with Andy Eddy

[Lady Jaye]

There are already other threads on this subject:

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49921&highlight=game+over+sheff

and

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=91598&highlight=game+over+sheff

[tom]

I suppose one could call this: The third 'Game Over the book' thread.

There is also the German version, I think first or second edition only, hard cover, simply titled 'Game Boy', go figure.....

[norkusa]

It's kinda funny that the paperback re-print of the book is worth more than the 1st edition hardcover, especially since it's edited down. I paid around $25 a while ago on ebay for the hardcover 1st edition (this was before the re-print). Now, it's only worth around $5 while the other one goes for $30-$40.

[Lady Jaye]

I own the 1999 full version paperback, with Mario on the cover.