Classic Console Video Game Books by Brett Weiss (Master Thread)

[8bitgamer]

Hey everyone,

My latest book, The 100 Greatest Console Video Games: 1977-1987, is now available for pre-order. It's a hardcover, full-color book from Schiffer Publishing:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Greatest-C...eatest+console

There have been many top 100 books before, but rarely one like this. Here are the best of the early video games, shown in over 400 color photos and described in incredible detail in the entertaining and informative text. Each game's chapter features production history, critical commentary, quotes from industry professionals, gameplay details, comparisons to other games, author anecdotes, and more.

The 100 Greatest Console Video Games: 1977-1987 celebrates the very best of the interactive entertainment industry's games from this highly crucial, fondly remembered decade. This pivotal period was marked by the introduction of the indispensable Atari 2600, Odyssey2, and Intellivision, the unleashing of the underrated Vectrex, the mind-blowing debut of the next-gen ColecoVision and Atari 5200, plus the rebirth of the industry through Nintendo's legendary juggernaut, the NES. Whether you're young or old, new to the hobby or a hardcore collector, this book will introduce you to or remind you of some of the greatest, most historically important games ever made.

As always, thanks for reading!

[Arkanoid_Katamari]

If Phoenix on the 2600 is not mentioned, I'm not interested.

[8bitgamer]

If Phoenix on the 2600 is not mentioned, I'm not interested.

Yes, Phoenix did make the top 100. It has its own 1440-word chapter.

[Zap!]

Very interested. Not sure what I would put in the top 5 much less number 1, but it will be very exciting reading your choices.

[Arkanoid_Katamari]

Theres too many games for me to make a list. I don't think I could do it. I'm always interested in learning about new gems. Spider fighter, Yar's Revenge, Vanguard... Yea, Atari 2600 shooters kick all ass. I really need more.

[Zap!]

There are a lot of awesome games that are on the cusp. I'm not sure Phantasy Star or Ys (both SMS) make it. Also, if a game comes out in September 1987 in Japan, but gets a Summer 1988 US release, does that qualify?

[8bitgamer]

Hi fellow gamers,

My brand new book, The 100 Greatest Console Video Games: 1977-1987, published by the prestigious Schiffer Publishing house, is finally available on Amazon. You can order it here:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Greatest-C...s%3A+1977-1987

Check out sample pages here:

http://www.brettweisswords.com/2014/...-greatest.html

The book includes:

*Feature-length chapters on 100 must-own games, including some closet classics and dark horse favorites
*Foreword by the legendary Walter Day
*Gorgeous NES-themed cover with slick, sturdy, hardback binding
*More than 400 full-color photos (including screenshots) on high quality paper
*Quotes from programmers, historians, critics, and other experts
*Production histories
*Author anecdotes and critiques
*Gameplay details
*Comparisons to other games, information on sequels and similar games (including the arcade versions, when applicable)
*A "Next 100" appendix at the back of the book with 100 "honorable mentions"
*Covers games for the Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Atari 7800, ColecoVision, Intellivision, NES, Odyssey2, Sega Master System, and Vectrex, plus several obscure consoles
*And much more!

AS ALWAYS, THANKS FOR READING!

[tom]

Still shame about the awful NES cart on the cover, it was just going for 1 year (besides test market), but the Atari 2600 was going for over 10 years. Should have been a VCS cart, it would have been more fitting.
Oh well maybe one day you make a decent book with a VCS cart on the cover.

[8bitgamer]

Still shame about the awful NES cart on the cover, it was just going for 1 year (besides test market), but the Atari 2600 was going for over 10 years. Should have been a VCS cart, it would have been more fitting.
Oh well maybe one day you make a decent book with a VCS cart on the cover.

How about a book with the whole Atari 2600 console on the cover?

http://www.amazon.com/Retro-Pop-Cult...mm_pap_title_0

[tom]

Maybe you do a second edition with a VCS cart on the cover. I buy that.

[8bitgamer]

[QUOTE=tom;2007749]Maybe you do a second edition with a VCS cart on the cover. I buy that.[/QUOTE

Unfortunately, the cover design is out of my hands (the publisher designed it). If it's any consolation, an Atari joystick is on the back cover.

BTW, the NES cart cover has been a big hit with buyers. And NES coverage is three years: the test market year of 1985, plus 1986 and 1987.

[8bitgamer]

Hi Everyone,

It's been awhile since I've been on the DP boards, so I thought I would post some updates.

I'm working on the fourth and final book in the "Classic Home Video Games" series. It will cover the SNES, Jaguar, CD-i, 3DO, and other consoles from that time. I'm making good progress, but publication is still at least a year away.

I recently wrapped up an encyclopedia on the rock band KISS, and it will be out during the spring or summer of 2016.

My 100 Greatest Console Video Games: 1977-1987 book is available at Barnes & Noble stores, and on Amazon. Check out the Retroist's review:

http://www.retroist.com/2015/01/12/t...7-book-review/

I also self-published a book called Retro Pop Culture A to Z: From Atari 2600 to Zombie Films:

http://www.amazon.com/Retro-Pop-Cult...=UTF8&qid=&sr=

For those of you who are unfamiliar with my books, you can read excerpts by clicking the link below:

http://www.brettweisswords.com/2015/...ame-books.html

I also write reviews of and articles on our favorite topic--here are a couple of recent examples:

http://www.brettweisswords.com/2015/...r-command.html

http://www.star-telegram.com/living/...e32559924.html

I contributed to Pat "The NES Punk" Contri's forthcoming book, which you can check out here:

http://www.brettweisswords.com/2015/...-contri-a.html

For more info, here's my Amazon author page:

http://www.amazon.com/Brett-Weiss/e/...ne_cont_book_1

As always, thanks for reading!

[8bitgamer]

FREE BOOK!

If you write for a video game website or magazine, or you have a YouTube channel or podcast, email me if you want a FREE review copy of one of the books in my “Classic Home Video Games” series. *Please respond only if you intend on reviewing the book.

To get your review copy, email to brettw105 AT sbcglobal.net with your name and a link to your site. Also, let me know which book you would like, and if you prefer a digital copy or a print copy (provide address if you want a physical copy): Classic Home Video Games, 1972-1984, Classic Home Video Games, 1985-1988, or Classic Home Video Games, 1989-1990.

Clink on the link for more info. THANKS!

http://www.brettweisswords.com/2015/...ome-video.html

[JeremiahJT]

Putting the 3DO, Jaguar, and CD-I in with the Super Nintendo makes no sense.

[8bitgamer]

Putting the 3DO, Jaguar, and CD-I in with the Super Nintendo makes no sense.

It actually does make sense in this context. The 1972-1984 book covers all the consoles that came out during the time period before the NES. The 1985-1988 book covers the consoles that came out during that time period, the NES, SMS, and Atari 7800. The 1989-1990 book covers the Genesis, Neo Geo, and TurboGrafx since those consoles came out during that time. The fourth and final book in the series will cover consoles that came out between 1991 and 1993. All in the U.S.

A specific console anchors each book: Atari 2600 the first book, NES the next book, Genesis the next, and SNES the next. There wasn't room to put the Genesis and the SNES in the same book, so segmenting them by console release dates made sense. Thanks for your response.

[8bitgamer]

Hi Everyone,

I've been asked at shows and online the status of future books, so I thought I would post an update here. I also get a lot of writing questions from prospective writers, so I'll address that here as well.

I'm working on the fourth book in the Classic Home Video Games series, covering the SNES, Jaguar, 3DO, and CD-i, but it's still a ways off.

Meanwhile, the third book, covering the Genesis, TurboGrafx-16, and Neo Geo, has yet to appear in softcover (no date has been announced, not even to me), but there are some hardcovers still in stock on Amazon. There will be no more hardcover printings of the book, so if you haven't already, you might want to grab one before they're gone:

http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Home-V...d_bxgy_b_img_z

As many of you know, my latest video game book is The 100 Greatest Console Video Games: 1977-1987, which you can check out here:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Greatest-C...s%3A+1977-1987

I'm always happy to answer questions about writing, getting published, etc., but I've also written a book on the subject (digital only so far, but a paperback is coming soon), which you can check out here:

http://www.amazon.com/How-Get-Publis...+get+published

As always, thanks for reading!

Brett

[Nz17]

Yeah, I got a question. When is the Amazon feature "Look Inside" going to be enabled for Classic Home Video Games, 1989-1990 and The 100 Greatest Console Video Games: 1977-1987?

[8bitgamer]

Yeah, I got a question. When is the Amazon feature "Look Inside" going to be enabled for Classic Home Video Games, 1989-1990 and The 100 Greatest Console Video Games: 1977-1987?

No look inside on Amazon for some reason, but you can view sample pages.

For, CHVG 1989-1990, you can see sample pages on the publisher's website. Just click on the following link, and then click on the links in the listing on that page:

http://www.mcfarlandbooks.com/conten...-0-7864-4172-3

For The 100 Greatest, you can view sample pages on my website:

http://www.brettweisswords.com/2014/...-greatest.html


Thanks!

Brett

[8bitgamer]

Classic Home Video Games 1989-1990 has only been released hardcover so far (a softcover version will probably be out within a year or so), but it's out of print, meaning the publisher is not making them anymore. However, there are still some available on Amazon for just $38.34.

This is quite the bargain considering that hardcover versions of the first two books in the series are quite collectible, selling for big bucks on Amazon. Currently, the hardcover version of Classic Home Video Games 1972-1984 sells for a minimum of $256.66 while Classic Home Video Games, 1985-1988 sells for a minimum of $99.72. (Softcover versions are still in print and are considerably cheaper.)

I'm not suggesting you purchase Classic Home Video Games 1989-1990 as an investment (though that might not be a bad idea), but I am saying that if you want a copy, but have yet to hop on Amazon and get one, this would be a good time.

http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Home-V...d_bxgy_b_img_z

Thanks for reading!