By Becky.
Sunday, 25. February 2007, 07:21:59
beeks, nintendo, books
Looking for gaming literature online gave me another idea--I should check out my local library to see if they had any books on Nintendo! And so, I made my trek there early one morning before work to investigate. Some of you may know my feelings for the library--although I will give it props for the lovable poster with the baby white seal reading a book with the caption "Reading is ICE-iting!". Anyway, I wasn't expecting too much, but I was surprised to find what I did! It turns out that the public library near my town decided it would be all "up with the times" circa 1989 and thus bought scads of video game books! I found titles such as Become a Master at Nintendo! Learn the Tricks of the Trade! and A Collector's Guide to Arcade Games!, along with plenty of tricks and code books. Apparently though, my library thought these books alone would suffice for the rest of the century, because the newest gaming book I could find was from 1993.
Though dated, I checked out a couple of these books because I knew they'd be loads of fun to read! I'd like to share some excerpts from one in particular, Compute!'s Guide to Nintendo Games, by Steven Schwartz.
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is currently the hottest-selling game system in the United States. Christmas 1988 sales in the Boston area were incredible; it was a complete sellout! If you bought one, you were in excellent company. Over seven million Nintendo sets were sold in the U.S. in 1988. Toy stores and electronics outlets had the system backordered through the following February!
(Kind of sounds like the Wii phenomenon! It's so hot right now!)
Here's what Mr. Schwartz has to say about graphics:
If you're like me, checking out the graphics is a good way to decide if a game is worth having. Usually, if the programmers paid attention to graphic detail, it's a good indication that they put similar effort into designing the game's plot and action.
This book also lists review of all the games that were out in 1989 and includes reviews, tips, strategies, and prices! The NES sold for $100 back then, and games like Mega Man and Mickey's Mousecapade were selling at $50 a pop! (WHY Mickey's Mousecapade was that expensive, I don't know!) Every type of controller and price is also found in the book! The review system was quite entertaining as well--Super Mario Bros. scored a 9.45, Legend of Zelda an 8.85, and the Three Stooges at an 8.65. Seriously, has anyone played the Three Stooges NES game? Is it really that good? (I guess if it has a slap off, it might be...) Mega Man II was the highest rated game in this book with a 9.8!
With all this video game violence in the news, I thought it would be pertinent to bring up this book's discussion of violence. Steven Schwartz has divided all NES games into 3 categories for our benefit: High levels of violence, Moderate Levels of violence, and Low violence. Games with high levels include Metal Gear and Double Dragon, while Blades of Steel and Super Mario Bros. 2 fall under Moderate. That's right, SMB2 is moderately violent because he uses BOMBS! Look out! Can you imagine somebody setting off a pipe bomb and blaming it on SMB2? And looking back now, I didn't think Blades of Steel was that violent--the fist fights always reminded me of this classic game, pictured at the right! Perhaps in today's wording, it would be considered "Comic Mischief!"
So, I'm having a pretty good time thumbing through all this old stuff. You should check out your local library to see if they carry any gems like this! Be sure to report back to me if they do!
Compute!'s Guide to Nintendo Games by Steven Schwartz, Radnor, PA.
By Becky.
Friday, 23. February 2007, 02:58:04
beeks, nintendo, books
Hopefully you all have some spare time to read books! I know, I know--with the Wii and all this blogging, who has time for anything else? Gamasutra has listed a ton of entertaining books in their online store--while most are books geared more towards the aspiring animator or game developer, they do have books of miscellaneous content listed. Everything from the history of video games to gamer fiction can be found in their delightful compilation! I'm going to list three books that caught my eye and subsequently compelled me to purchase them from Amazon--expect book reviews soon! Until then, whet your appetite with these descriptions, and then check out Amazon if you think you'd like to buy them for yourself!
Game On, by Lucien King 
Video games have come a long way since the first ever computer game, Spacewar, was developed at MIT in 1962 using technology developed to further man's attempts at space travel. In the last ten years games have developed rapidly to become one of the most profitable entertainment sectors in the world, giving rise to a billion dollar creative industry. The technical capabilities of game design have made a remarkable simulation of reality possible. The influence of video games is so pervasive that game characters, such as Lara Croft of Tomb raider, have become cultural icons. Games have also influenced music and film. The first animated movie based on a game, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, recently set a new standard for computer graphics animation using characters that are almost indistinguishable from human actors.
Game On examines the world of video games from a global perspective. Highly illustrated throughout, the book is structured around key themes, ranging from characters in games to future technical developments. It will appeal to readers of all ages and backgrounds, both those who play and those involved in the production of games.
High Score! The Illustrated History of Electronic Games, by Rusel DeMaria and Johnny Wilson
From pinball to PlayStation, this photo-packed volume chronicles the history of electronic games--which has become both a billion dollar industry as well as a cultural phenomenon. Featuring hundreds of interviews with game creators and thousands of never-before-seen photos from the early days, this book honors the games that have captivated youngsters and the young-at-heart for more than 30 years--making this the ultimate tribute to electronic games.The Ultimate History of Video Games, by Steven L. Kent
With all the whiz, bang, pop, and shimmer of a glowing arcade. The Ultimate History of Video Games reveals everything you ever wanted to know and more about the unforgettable games that changed the world, the visionaries who made them, and the fanatics who played them. From the arcade to television and from the PC to the handheld device, video games have entraced kids at heart for nearly 30 years. And author and gaming historian Steven L. Kent has been there to record the craze from the very beginning.
This engrossing book tells the incredible tale of how this backroom novelty transformed into a cultural phenomenon. Through meticulous research and personal interviews with hundreds of industry luminaries, you'll read firsthand accounts of how yesterday's games like Space Invaders, Centipede, and Pac-Man helped create an arcade culture that defined a generation, and how today's empires like Sony, Nintendo, and Electronic Arts have galvanized a multibillion-dollar industry and a new generation of games. Inside, you'll discover:
·The video game that saved Nintendo from bankruptcy
·The serendipitous story of Pac-Man's design
·The misstep that helped topple Atari's $2 billion-a-year empire
·The coin shortage caused by Space Invaders
·The fascinating reasons behind the rise, fall, and rebirth of Sega
·And much more!
Entertaining, addictive, and as mesmerizing as the games it chronicles, this book is a must-have for anyone who's ever touched a joystick.Looks to me like some fun reading! Also, it's always fun to go to Amazon and see what other books the site recommends. In most cases, another video game book gets referenced, giving you an endless array of gaming literature!
By Anton.
Friday, 20. October 2006, 15:55:04
borders, books, store, sale
...
My local Borders bookstore is having a 75% off ALL videogames sale! I tried looking online, but they don't even have a VG section on the website, I would definetly check out your local Borders and see,
I will be getting Pokemon Leaf Green today. and a little browse around the DS section as well. I don't know if it included VG hardware and accessories/peripherals though. This is a prime time to get any of those nintendo games you wanted but were as broke as the gull.
- Captain Seagull
(54%)
WIDGETIZE