We’re not just obsessed with retro gaming here at Retro Dodo; we’re mad about retro gaming books as well. When the batteries run out or our eyes turn square, we reach for our favourite books to get our gaming fix.
One of the things that we love about the retro gaming community is their attention to detail and their willingness to help others learn more about ‘the good old days’ of gaming. Just like books on the Vikings, the Romans, and that other business with the Trojan Horse, retro gaming books are important for understanding important and historic gaming events.
And let’s be honest, they’re great fun to read and make us look brainier for having books up on a shelf.
We’ve made a list of the 10 best retro gaming books that you can add to your own collection. We’ve covered everything from fan favourites to books on how to mod your favourite handheld. Feed your gaming obsession with some tasty facts and well-crafted literature.
It would be rude not to!
Table of Contents
1. Game Boy: The Box Art Collection
It’s back to Bitmap Books for the next entry in our list of the best retro gaming books. Game Boy: The Box Art collection is another hotly anticipated book and one that’s set to come out in November 2020.
A sequel to the incredible ‘Super Famicom – A Box Art Collection’, this book comes in a slide-out tray just like the Game Boy carts of old. It features life size photographs of the stunning artwork and packaging that made these games so exciting to buy and hold, praising the innovative design elements that drew us in and made us part with our hard-earned cash.
Just look at that front cover artwork by ex-Rare concept artist Wil Overton! Each game feature will include an in-depth critique of the artwork, as well as interesting interviews with game collectors who are mad about all things Game Boy.
The book will draw games from Europe. North America, and Japan into one coffee-table-friendly hardback book. This is certainly going to be on my Christmas list this year!
2. SEGA Master System Compendium
If you’re a fan of all things SEGA, then you’ll be a massive fan of this extensive visual compendium from Bitmap Books. This is the first book dedicated to the SEGA Master System and is officially licensed by Sonic’s parents themselves.
If you’re reading this in Brazil and are wondering why there’s a book about the brand-new SEGA console that you’ve just bought, then treat this as a catalogue of all the best Master System games that you can look forward to playing in the future.
This book is a visual feast of the 8-bit pixel art that made this console such an iconic system. It features some of the most iconic scenes from all of your favourite games married with some interesting soundbites to whet your thirst for gaming knowledge.
At 424-pages long and holding information on over 200 games, this book is a must for SEGA fans. There are also in-depth interviews with developers and larger features inside too.
And for you true collectors, it comes with a dust jacket, slip case, and 3D glasses! Bitmap Books are by far, one of the best retro gaming book makers around. The quality is beyond superb.
3. [lock-on] Gaming Journal
Each magazine and book is crowdfunded and only made possible thanks to the lovely gaming community. Their most infamous product is the [lock-on] series which dives deep into old retro gaming stores and new modern day ever couple of months.
They work closely with some of the gaming industry’s most talented artists, they feature interviews with developers and talk closely with influencers to make this an all-round enjoyable magazine.
I personally know the creators behind the book, and i can honestly say they are incredible passionate, hard working individuals that are doing great things in the space.
They are soon to be launching a “presents” series that’s going to be focused on other subjects within the gaming industry and I think this will be the creation of the best retro gaming books of the year.
Keep an eye on Lost In Cult, seriously.
4. Game Boy Modding
Next up on our list of the best retro gaming books is a comprehensive guide to modding your Game Boy by Game Changer Mods. You might have come across their work before over on our Instagram page, and now there’s a real-life book that you can hold in your hands and flick through to your heart’s content.
If you want to learn everything you can about the world’s most popular handheld console series, then this is the book for you. It gives you all of the information that you’ll need to learn how to modify your Game Boy and drag it into the world of modern gaming.
It’s a guide for beginners, and it will give you the confidence you need to make some major surgical procedures.
As the subtitle states, this book also covers all of the things to look out for when building your Game Boy collection. There are tonnes of facts about the console’s history crammed into the pages, along with comic-style cartoons that draw you into the various stories and guides.
This is the ultimate Game Boy ‘how-to’ guide and one that every gaming enthusiast should have up on their shelf. It’s fun, it’s well made, and the author speaks to you like you’re a human being instead of a fact-collecting robot. Give it a try and have a go at updating your handhelds today!
5. The Game Console
If you’re looking for retro gaming books that cover all of your favourite consoles in-between two sturdy hardback covers, then look no further. ‘The Game Console’ by Evan Amos is an exciting book that documents 86 retro gaming consoles in glorious colour.
The visual elements and information jam-packed into this book are incredible. It takes you through the evolution of the video game console right from the Magnavox Odyssey all the way through to the Wii U and the Xbox One.
That’s one hell of a journey!
Each section documents a different console right down to the VRAM and number of systems sold. You can see the hardware inside as well as getting the ‘need-to-know’ info and stats on each device.
With full-colour photos of the NES, Atari 2600, N64, and many more, ‘The Game Console’ is a coffee-table book that you can reach for again and again. It’s a hardback trip down memory lane and the perfect reference book for any retro gaming fans.
6. Micro But Many
Of course, the best retro gaming books don’t necessarily have to be about video games. One of my favourite childhood memories was playing with Micro Machines, and ‘Micro But Many’ has a whopping 400-pages dedicated to the entire collection.
Put together by avid collectors and the original designers of the brand, Micro But Many is an unofficial guide to what many still perceive to be one of the best 80s toys and the best 90s toys ever made.
It’s like a miniature showroom for some of the greatest micro planes, cars, boats, and tanks ever made!
Each entry provides detailed stats and information, as well as a high-quality colour photograph for you to drool over. You’ll find out all about how your favourite toys were created and pick up interesting anecdotes from the people who made them.
In true 90s collectors style, this book comes with an animated lenticular cover and features holographic, foil-backed pages throughout. You’ll also get four colourful bookmark ribbons and a shiny sticker to stick on your favourite gadget.
7. Nintendo 64 Anthology
Any regular readers of my articles will know that I can’t get enough of the best N64 games. This was, and always will be, my favourite ever home console. It’s no surprise, therefore, that the N64 Anthology by Mathieu Manent is one of my most hotly anticipated retro gaming books of 2020.
This book is set to detail every single feature of the N64 console, it’s accessories, and it’s 388 games. You’ll be able to read all about its development, reliving the games that made this console such a huge success as you go.
From rare and interesting collectors items to exclusive interviews with some of the console’s key creators and developers, the N64 Anthology is the ultimate Nintendoid reference book.
At over 360-pages, this book is crammed full of funny anecdotes and facts that will make you feel like it’s 1996 all over again. Colourful images help to document the history of the console throughout the book, and it’s the perfect companion to sit next to your Ocarina of Time shrine.
Everyone has one of those…right?
8. Retro Gaming – A Byte-Sized History Of Video Games
This next entry in our list of the best retro gaming books is certainly a contender for winning the award for ‘best title’. Retro Gaming: A Byte-sized History Of Video Games covers the complete A to Z of video gaming through the ages.
In this instance, that’s Atari to Zelda.
This self-described ‘compact, comprehensive compendium’ is a one-stop-shop for all of your retro gaming facts. Relive the highs, laugh at the lows, and discover some hidden gems along the way.
‘Retro Gaming’ is a book for serious gamers. It covers over forty-years worth of gaming, from arcade titles right through to the home console games that we still can’t put down.
Expect lots of cameos from Mario, Sonic, Link, and some unnamed Tetris blocks. Prepare to also say ‘ah yeah’ out loud when you come across old favourites that have fallen by the wayside over the years.
This book is informative, fun, and filled with facts that you can impress your friends with the next time you sign in to online play.
9. SNES Pixel Book
Sticking with Bitmap Books and the Nintendo theme, the next title in our retro gaming books compendium is a SNES fanatic’s dream. It features 272-pages of glorious 16-bit gaming history, featuring in-depth articles and thousands upon thousands of specially taken screenshots of your favourite games.
The SNES had a huge games list, and this unofficial catalogue explores the best-loved genres and titles it had to offer. Peruse game maps and soak up gaming knowledge as you take a trip down memory lane, all accompanied by some of the most iconic characters in retro gaming history.
This SNES Pixel Book covers both classic and obscure games from the consoles repertoire. Learn more about elusive rare SNES games, and place it alongside your most treasured and best SNES accessories!
Each of the lithographically printed pictures stand out superbly, and the 3mm slipcase that accompanies the book will keep it pristine for many years to come.
10. Go Straight
When our Go Straight book arrived, we were suprised to see it being delivered by a small crane. This book feels like a brick, is as thick as a brick, and weighs the same as a brick.
With over 456 pages, this is by far the biggest retro gaming book on the list, and one that if dropped could flatten toes with ease.
Go Straight is a retro gaming book made by Bitmap Books dedicated to side-scrolling beat-em-ups. Think of like an encyclopaedia. Every side-scrolling game is featured in this book an you scan through it alphabetically to find new games, or research old ones that you have played in the past.
We’ll admit the art layout gets a bit repetitive, they haven’t collaborated with any artsits and it seems they have simply taken screenshots of games to fill the book but the information contained is where the quality of this book comes to life.
It takes a deep dive into well known beat-em-ups such as Double Dragon, Golden Axe, Final Fight and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as well as diving into some more obscure fighters like Denjin Makai, Shadow Force and more.
If you want to learn about incredible enemies, unknown facts and guides to some of the most popular levels, then this is a book to pick up. Actually, it’s hard to pick up, so we recommend getting the crane to place it where you need it upon delivery.
11. The Nostalgia Nerd’s Retro Tech
The Nostalgia Nerd’s Retro Tech book is a comprehensive guide to every computer and console that has ever lived. We’re not just talking about the PlayStation and the Commodore 64 here. We’re talking about obscure handheld gaming devices and classic tech that you might have completely forgotten about.
The Nostalgia Nerd has successfully captured the hype and excitement of the arrival of ‘the home console’ in this book. It takes you from the explosive sales scene of the early computer right through to modern-day consoles that we all own like the PS4.
I like the fact that this book has such a great feature on all of the handheld devices that we’ve seen over the years. It’s an exhibition of portable gaming – that’s something that is always going to go down well with us!
If you’re looking for retro gaming books that you can turn to when bored, then this is one that you need on your list. On the coffee table or beside the toilet, it provides a great read that will instantly get you in the mood for gaming!
12. The Comic Book Story Of Video Gaming
The last entry in our list of the best retro gaming books is a funny and informative comic book from Jonathan Hennessey and illustrator Jack McGowan. The Comic Book Story Of Video Gaming presents a vibrant, full-colour Marvel-style origins story for one of the most lucrative businesses in the world.
Featuring exciting dialogue, informative snippets, and memorable artwork, this comic book covers everything that you could possibly need to know about the video game world. It’s easy to take in, and it’s a book that you can easily re-read a hundred times without feeling bored.
Jonathan covers every element of gaming history from WWII right through to modern day apps like Pokemon Go. You’ll read spotlight features on major-contributors like the mighty Shigeru Miyamoto and learn brainy stuff like the impact that gaming has on society.
The comic strips are well thought out and incredibly imaginative. If reading large segments isn’t your thing, then this comic will give you everything you need to know in easy-to-follow chapters with a great storyline. It’s a must-have in my opinion!
Seb Santabarbara has bought every Nintendo console that has ever been released in his 31 years on Planet Earth. His favourite game franchise is Zelda, and he’s patiently waiting for Banjo-Kazooie to come back to the fold. When he’s not playing games, he’s travelling the world in his self-converted camper van.
