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

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

    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!

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

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    Quote Originally Posted by Arkanoid_Katamari View Post
    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Zap! View Post
    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?
    While both ok to great games, definitely not top 100 for me.

    Specially Ys....its an ok game but I think it is highly overrated.
    COMPLETED MY USA SMS SET!!!!

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    Boiling the list down to 100 games was brutal, but fun--lots of tough choices, lots of replaying favorites and re-discovering hidden gems (I say replaying because I played all of these as research for my "Classic Home Video Games" series). I had to leave so many great games out of the top 100 that I decided to include a "Next 100" appendix at the back of the book, recognizing and commenting on those highly enjoyable titles that didn't quite make the cut.

    There are plenty of Atari 2600 shooters represented in the top 100 and the appendix.

    With the publisher's approval, I listed the chapters alphabetically instead of 1-100. I didn't want to rank the games in order. I just wanted to celebrate and get behind the gameplay, the history, the creation and the reception of each title--how each game was received when it came out (by me and by the gaming press at the time), and how each game is viewed today (by me and by the gaming press at large). There are technical specs for certain titles as well, but not enough to bog things down. Unlike the "Classic Home Video Games" books, which are the video game equivalent of Leonard Maltin-style movie books, the 100 Greatest book is conversational, full-color (including screenshots), and filled with anecdotes and quotes (from experts past and present, such as Bill Kunkel, Joe Santulli, Leonard Herman, among many others). It also has bookstore distribution and, obviously, much, much more space devoted to each title.

    The dates, 1977-1987, are based on U.S. releases.

    Thanks for the feedback!
    Last edited by 8bitgamer; 03-07-2014 at 10:34 AM.

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    Probably will be predictable for USA, a Mario game at number one. Zelda number two......
    Mind you, going up to 1987, maybe not, here's hoping.
    Last edited by tom; 03-07-2014 at 11:56 AM.

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    Turmoil and Demon Attack. I forgot about Turmoil, that games crazy!

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    Quote Originally Posted by bigbacon View Post
    While both ok to great games, definitely not top 100 for me.

    Specially Ys....its an ok game but I think it is highly overrated.
    Phantasy Star isn't top 100 in a list of console games from 1977-1987? Are you anti-RPG, or do you just not like PS that much? To each their own though. You are entitled to that opinion, I'm just stunned. While not console, what do you think of King's Quest if I may ask?

    As for Ys, I don't see how it's that overrated, since it almost never makes the top 10. If anything it's very overrated. I put the early 90's Ys: Book I and II on the TG-16 CD-ROM as number 1, ever. The 80's SMS is not close, but I liked it a lot.

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    Quote Originally Posted by tom View Post
    Probably will be predictable for USA, a Mario game at number one. Zelda number two......
    Mind you, going up to 1987, maybe not, here's hoping.
    It depend what kind of "greatest" list it is. Is it a purely good games list, or memorable games list? Mario IMO usually tops 1 only because of sheer classicness.

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    Quote Originally Posted by tom View Post
    Probably will be predictable for USA, a Mario game at number one. Zelda number two......
    Mind you, going up to 1987, maybe not, here's hoping.
    Just to be clear, the games are in alphabetical, not numerical order, meaning I didn't rank them from 1 to 100. There are 100 chapters--a chapter dedicated to each game--but they are not listed in order of ranking.

    There are many obvious choices as well as plenty of (relatively) obscure games.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Zap! View Post
    It depend what kind of "greatest" list it is. Is it a purely good games list, or memorable games list? Mario IMO usually tops 1 only because of sheer classicness.
    For a game to make it into the book, it has to still be fun when played today. Games that have aged poorly typically won't be in the book. In my opinion, Super Mario Bros. is still great fun, as is the original Mario Bros.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Zap! View Post
    Phantasy Star isn't top 100 in a list of console games from 1977-1987?
    Phantasy Star hit Japan in 1987, but didn't make it to the U.S. until 1988.

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    Quote Originally Posted by 8bitgamer View Post
    Phantasy Star hit Japan in 1987, but didn't make it to the U.S. until 1988.
    Yes you are right. I got it that Christmas. Hopefully, it will be included in your next book, 1988-1998.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Arkanoid_Katamari View Post
    Turmoil and Demon Attack. I forgot about Turmoil, that games crazy!
    Both Turmoil and Demon Attack are among the 100 Greatest games.

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    I don't think it will make it, but Alex Kidd in Miracle World would get my vote.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Zap! View Post
    I don't think it will make it, but Alex Kidd in Miracle World would get my vote.

    Alex Kidd in Miracle World didn't make the top 100, but it is in the honorable mentions list.

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    Did this get delayed a bit? Amazon now says October, but I could have sworn it was a June or July release.

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