What do you think?
Rate this book
The Game Console: A Photographic History from Atari to Xbox
The Game Console is a tour through the evolution of video game hardware, with gorgeous full-color photos of 86 consoles. You’ll start your journey with legendary consoles like the Magnavox Odyssey, Atari 2600, Nintendo Entertainment System, and the Commodore 64. The visual nostalgia trip continues with systems from the 1990s and 2000s, and ends on modern consoles like the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Wii U.
Throughout the book, you’ll also discover many consoles you never knew existed, and even find a rare peek at the hardware inside several of history’s most iconic video game systems.
Throughout the book, you’ll also discover many consoles you never knew existed, and even find a rare peek at the hardware inside several of history’s most iconic video game systems.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2018
43 people are currently reading
496 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
July 22, 2021
This coffee table book does exactly what it promises on the cover. It is a history of consoles from start to end separated into rough eras. Every console comes will a nice and crisp image of the console, peripherals and the logic board with some writing to give it context on both their creation and the overall industry at the time. I quite liked the journey and seeing both familiar and completely new consoles. I think it would be something interesting to own for anyone interested in gaming hardware. I don't have any major complaints although it would have been interesting to see the graphical capabilities of the consoles through screenshots. This book largely focuses on hardware.
November 30, 2021
A truly excellent collection piece. I read the updated version and was wowed with the beautiful pictures throughout. A thorough look at the first console up to the most recent ones that has enough information to be interesting and insightful without coming across too wordy. A nice coffee table book or just a nice book to glance through. Worth it for video game fans! :)
July 22, 2021
Brilliant. I can't believe there were that many consoles... (and he didn't have pics of all of them, because some were too big, or not necessarily a gaming console, or it was one of the many Pong clones. For example, my family had a Radio Shack Pong set, my brother still has it!).
There is a great narrative, as to how each one came about, its success, or MOSTLY failure. I mean, I really only know about a few big names but there are odds and ends I had no idea existed.
I only wish it had an example of each's graphics capabilities. Yes, I know this is a console book, but one little thumbnail of a graphic would've been nice.
Perfect for any retro gamer.
There is a great narrative, as to how each one came about, its success, or MOSTLY failure. I mean, I really only know about a few big names but there are odds and ends I had no idea existed.
I only wish it had an example of each's graphics capabilities. Yes, I know this is a console book, but one little thumbnail of a graphic would've been nice.
Perfect for any retro gamer.
August 21, 2019
Great gallery book showcasing the inner-workings of video game systems, both old and new.
April 22, 2024
Brought Me Nostalgia
This is an excellent book that details all (most - pretty much all) of the video game consoles since the inception of home consumer game units.
It was a lot of fun reading about the devices, and SO MANY of these are familiar to me, as I had them as a kid (still own them too).
Great resource if you are a fan of video game history, like me.
If you have read this book and enjoyed it, I would also recommend a similar book that I also loved:
Open Circuits: The Inner Beauty of Electronic Components
Check it out!
4.7/5
This is an excellent book that details all (most - pretty much all) of the video game consoles since the inception of home consumer game units.
It was a lot of fun reading about the devices, and SO MANY of these are familiar to me, as I had them as a kid (still own them too).
Great resource if you are a fan of video game history, like me.
If you have read this book and enjoyed it, I would also recommend a similar book that I also loved:
Open Circuits: The Inner Beauty of Electronic Components
Check it out!
4.7/5
July 3, 2020
What a crazy cool book. A neatly packaged history of game consoles. His mission was to photograph the consoles, including the bits and pieces, to provide a comprehensive look at them through their inception (first generation) to the newest generation.
For anyone that owned one or many, it’s a walk down memory lane. For the techie, it’s an appreciation for the tech boom and all it brought to gaming. It’s a celebration of advancements and entertainment.
So fun! Can’t wait to share and brought me back to our back room circa the late 80s, early 90s and our Atari...
For anyone that owned one or many, it’s a walk down memory lane. For the techie, it’s an appreciation for the tech boom and all it brought to gaming. It’s a celebration of advancements and entertainment.
So fun! Can’t wait to share and brought me back to our back room circa the late 80s, early 90s and our Atari...
June 9, 2019
Finally, a book that does what is says on the cover. The pictures are the clear. The text is well done. The information is plentiful.
August 11, 2022
A summary of many, if not all, video game consoles + nice pictures of the exterior, and in some cases, interior of those revolutionary equipaments.
July 24, 2025
A colorful guide of video game consoles and handhelds throughout the years. it's cool to see the really obscure ones and to learn more about each one, each containing their specs and fun facts.
May 12, 2022
This is a treasure of a book for anyone interested in console gaming history. Excellent photographs of long forgotten gaming systems and a basic look at each one.
December 29, 2019
لا أحد اليوم ليس في بيته منصة لألعاب الفيديو، وهذا الكتاب يعرض تاريخ هذه المنصات أو الأجهزة المشغلة لتلك الألعاب، وقمت بالتفريق بين المنصة والجهاز لغرض ستعرفه، لكن قبل أن أخوض في تفاصيل الكتاب سأحكي قصتي مع ألعاب الفيديو.
ما لن أنساه أبدًا هو ذلك اليوم الذي قررنا فيه الذهاب لشراء منصة الألعاب "كمبيوتر العائلة" (نينتندو الأبيض ذو أداة التحكم الحمراء)، أظن كان عمري وقتها 8 سنوات أو أقل، ولم أكن أعرف حينها ما منصات الألعاب، لكن فوجئت في نهاية الطريق أننا نتجه إلى مقر عمل أخي، والذي قد زرته مرات، فأصابني الملل فجأة، لكن السيارة انعطفت إلى مكان بجانبه وإذ بنا داخل محل الألعاب، واشترينا المنصة، وبقية قصتي مع كمبيوتر العائلة هي قصتكم.
ثم مر الوقت، وإذا بصديقي في المدرسة قد اشترى منصة سيجا لا أتذكر أكانت سيجا 16 أو سيجا جينيسس، لكن حينها كنت أغبط صديقي لأن أباه كان تاجرًا يشتري له معظم ما يريد، لكن كان الصديق متواضعا بحيث يسمح لي بأن ألعب، وأظن بعدها بسنة حصلت على جهاز سيجا وأيضا لا أتذكر أي من النسختين، لكن الراجح سيجا 16.
مر الوقت، فإذا بي أثناء رجوعي من المدرسة على الأقدام، لاحظت محل ألعاب جديد، فدخلت وقررت اللعب بجهازهم الجديد الذي تبين لاحقا أنه بلاي ستيشن، وكانت أول لعبة لي هي ريزدنت إيفل 2، وبالرغم من أن العامل قد اختار لي المستوى الأسهل (مسدس آلي ورصاص لا ينتهي) إلا أنني مت في نفس مكان الانطلاق على بعد أمتار هههههههههه. اللعبة حينها كانت مرعبة، كما أن اداة التحكم كانت غريبة كثيرة الأزرار، ومستوى الإضاءة كان يميل للظلمة وأظن أن المنصة وأداة التحكم كان يغطيها ستيكر أسود.
بعدها بسنة أو سنتين تعرفت على محل آخر وبدأت بلعب البلاي ستشين، خاصة كرة القدم "وينينج إليفين" (هل تتذكرون المعلق الياباني "جون كابيرا" وهو يقول باتيس تووووتا؟)، ثم بعد سنة أو أكثر ربما اشترينا المنصة.
ومرت السنوات وأنا ألعب البلاي ستيشن، لكن كان البلاي ستيشن آخر عهدنا بمنصات ألعاب الفيديو. لم نمتلك بعدها أي منصة إلى اليوم، لكن وقفت على البلاي ستيشن 2 ولعبت به، والثالث لم ألعب من خلاله، ومؤخرًا قبل سنة ربما لعبت بالرابع قليلا، لا أعلم هذا الانقطاع ما سببه، هل فقدت شهيتي أم تأقلمت، وعلى كل حال أنا مع ألعاب الفيديو ومع مشاهدة الأنيمي، لكن أراني "بي سي جيمر" أكثر مني "كونسول جيمر"، على أنني من النادر أن ألعب على الحاسوب، واللعبة الوحيدة التي ألعبها منذ 2012 هي لعبة الفانتازيا الاستراتيجية "وورلد أوف ووركرافت" النسخة الأولى التي خرجت في 2004 ويصطلح عليها بفانيلا، وألعبها مقرصنة على سيرفر خاص مجاني، وكنت من ضمن أول تحالف يقتل أحد الرؤوساء العظام ووثق زميلي النصر في هذا الفيديو لكن لن أذكر اسمي https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp7Gq...
---------------
الكتاب يقسم منصات ألعاب الفيديو إلى 8 أجيال:
يقع البلاي ستيشن (الأول) في الجيل الخامس منها، والجيل يعبر عن التقنية أكثر منه عن الفترة الزمنية، لأن هناك منصات من الجيل السابق تواجدت في فترات زمنية ظهرت فيها منصات من الجيل الجديد.
يعرض الكتاب صورة المنصة مع نبذة تعريفية، كالسعر وحجم الذاكرة وربما عدد الأجهزة المباعة، وربما يضيف أحيانا شكل المنصة بعد تفكيكها، وبحسب المناسبة قد يضع فقرات أكثر تفصيلا تعرض تطور المنصة أو ارتباطها بأمور أخرى تتعلق بعالم ألعاب الفيديو، والمنصة قسمان: المنصة العادية كالبلاي ستيشن، والمنصة المحمولة كـ "جيم بوي".
أما سبب تفريقي بين المنصة والأجهزة المشغلة لألعاب الفيديو فكان لسببين:
1- العديد من منصات الألعاب التي صنعت قبل أن يولد معظمنا، تميزت بقدرة على البرمجة بلغة "بيسك" القديمة، وتميزت ببعض خصائص الكمبيوتر الشهيرة.
2- بعض الأجهزة الالكترونية المخصصة للترفيه، تميزت بالمقدرة على تشغيل ألعاب الفيديو.
وبما أننا نتكلم عن ما صنع قبل مولدنا، فهناك منصات ألعاب صنعت في وقت أقدم بعشر أو عشرين سنة مما تظن! فمستوى تطور الأمريكيين واليابانيين كان مرتفعا أكثر مما تظن قبل أربعين سنة.
برغم هذا التطور إلا أن نجاح منصات الألعاب يحتاج لتسويق وألعاب ومواعيد إصدار وعقود احتكار، فالتطور وحده لا يكفي، من هنا فشلت العديد من منصات الألعاب، وأدى فشل بعضها إلى إعلان الشركة المصنعة الإفلاس، وكانت مايكروسوفت تخاطر كثيرًا بإصدارها منصة "إكس بوكس" حيث صرفت عليه الكثير وفعلت ما لم يتوقع تسويقيا، وقد كانت الساحة محتكرة من قبل سوني و نينتندو.
ويحسن بي أن أذكر بأن الأجيال الأولى من منصات الألعاب، اهتمت بإزاء ألعاب الفيديو العادية، اهتمت بصناعة ألعاب تعليمية وألعاب تجعلك تحرك جسدك أو عقلك أكثر، بعكس ألعاب اليوم التي يغلب عليها الطابع الاستهلاكي الخيالي.
---------------
لكن ما فاجأني أمران:
شيء ما حدث في عام 1983 يتعلق بعالم ألعاب الفيديو، لكن لن أذكره :).
كما أنني تفاجأت بأن العديد من المنصات كانت لها قطع إضافية يمكن شراءها وتركيبها، بعض تلك القطع كانت "مودم" اتصال باالإنترنت، قبل حتى أن ينتشر الإنترنت في العالم العربي!
تفاجأت أيضأ أنني أثناء القراءة كادت عيني أن تدمع عندما شاهدت منصة "كمبيوتر العائلة"، فالذكريات كثيرة معه، الجميلة والمحزنة.
وأخيرًا أعرض بعض الصور وأولها لأقدم منصة ألعاب فيديو والتي صنعت في 1972
ما لن أنساه أبدًا هو ذلك اليوم الذي قررنا فيه الذهاب لشراء منصة الألعاب "كمبيوتر العائلة" (نينتندو الأبيض ذو أداة التحكم الحمراء)، أظن كان عمري وقتها 8 سنوات أو أقل، ولم أكن أعرف حينها ما منصات الألعاب، لكن فوجئت في نهاية الطريق أننا نتجه إلى مقر عمل أخي، والذي قد زرته مرات، فأصابني الملل فجأة، لكن السيارة انعطفت إلى مكان بجانبه وإذ بنا داخل محل الألعاب، واشترينا المنصة، وبقية قصتي مع كمبيوتر العائلة هي قصتكم.
ثم مر الوقت، وإذا بصديقي في المدرسة قد اشترى منصة سيجا لا أتذكر أكانت سيجا 16 أو سيجا جينيسس، لكن حينها كنت أغبط صديقي لأن أباه كان تاجرًا يشتري له معظم ما يريد، لكن كان الصديق متواضعا بحيث يسمح لي بأن ألعب، وأظن بعدها بسنة حصلت على جهاز سيجا وأيضا لا أتذكر أي من النسختين، لكن الراجح سيجا 16.
مر الوقت، فإذا بي أثناء رجوعي من المدرسة على الأقدام، لاحظت محل ألعاب جديد، فدخلت وقررت اللعب بجهازهم الجديد الذي تبين لاحقا أنه بلاي ستيشن، وكانت أول لعبة لي هي ريزدنت إيفل 2، وبالرغم من أن العامل قد اختار لي المستوى الأسهل (مسدس آلي ورصاص لا ينتهي) إلا أنني مت في نفس مكان الانطلاق على بعد أمتار هههههههههه. اللعبة حينها كانت مرعبة، كما أن اداة التحكم كانت غريبة كثيرة الأزرار، ومستوى الإضاءة كان يميل للظلمة وأظن أن المنصة وأداة التحكم كان يغطيها ستيكر أسود.
بعدها بسنة أو سنتين تعرفت على محل آخر وبدأت بلعب البلاي ستشين، خاصة كرة القدم "وينينج إليفين" (هل تتذكرون المعلق الياباني "جون كابيرا" وهو يقول باتيس تووووتا؟)، ثم بعد سنة أو أكثر ربما اشترينا المنصة.
ومرت السنوات وأنا ألعب البلاي ستيشن، لكن كان البلاي ستيشن آخر عهدنا بمنصات ألعاب الفيديو. لم نمتلك بعدها أي منصة إلى اليوم، لكن وقفت على البلاي ستيشن 2 ولعبت به، والثالث لم ألعب من خلاله، ومؤخرًا قبل سنة ربما لعبت بالرابع قليلا، لا أعلم هذا الانقطاع ما سببه، هل فقدت شهيتي أم تأقلمت، وعلى كل حال أنا مع ألعاب الفيديو ومع مشاهدة الأنيمي، لكن أراني "بي سي جيمر" أكثر مني "كونسول جيمر"، على أنني من النادر أن ألعب على الحاسوب، واللعبة الوحيدة التي ألعبها منذ 2012 هي لعبة الفانتازيا الاستراتيجية "وورلد أوف ووركرافت" النسخة الأولى التي خرجت في 2004 ويصطلح عليها بفانيلا، وألعبها مقرصنة على سيرفر خاص مجاني، وكنت من ضمن أول تحالف يقتل أحد الرؤوساء العظام ووثق زميلي النصر في هذا الفيديو لكن لن أذكر اسمي https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp7Gq...
---------------
الكتاب يقسم منصات ألعاب الفيديو إلى 8 أجيال:
يقع البلاي ستيشن (الأول) في الجيل الخامس منها، والجيل يعبر عن التقنية أكثر منه عن الفترة الزمنية، لأن هناك منصات من الجيل السابق تواجدت في فترات زمنية ظهرت فيها منصات من الجيل الجديد.
يعرض الكتاب صورة المنصة مع نبذة تعريفية، كالسعر وحجم الذاكرة وربما عدد الأجهزة المباعة، وربما يضيف أحيانا شكل المنصة بعد تفكيكها، وبحسب المناسبة قد يضع فقرات أكثر تفصيلا تعرض تطور المنصة أو ارتباطها بأمور أخرى تتعلق بعالم ألعاب الفيديو، والمنصة قسمان: المنصة العادية كالبلاي ستيشن، والمنصة المحمولة كـ "جيم بوي".
أما سبب تفريقي بين المنصة والأجهزة المشغلة لألعاب الفيديو فكان لسببين:
1- العديد من منصات الألعاب التي صنعت قبل أن يولد معظمنا، تميزت بقدرة على البرمجة بلغة "بيسك" القديمة، وتميزت ببعض خصائص الكمبيوتر الشهيرة.
2- بعض الأجهزة الالكترونية المخصصة للترفيه، تميزت بالمقدرة على تشغيل ألعاب الفيديو.
وبما أننا نتكلم عن ما صنع قبل مولدنا، فهناك منصات ألعاب صنعت في وقت أقدم بعشر أو عشرين سنة مما تظن! فمستوى تطور الأمريكيين واليابانيين كان مرتفعا أكثر مما تظن قبل أربعين سنة.
برغم هذا التطور إلا أن نجاح منصات الألعاب يحتاج لتسويق وألعاب ومواعيد إصدار وعقود احتكار، فالتطور وحده لا يكفي، من هنا فشلت العديد من منصات الألعاب، وأدى فشل بعضها إلى إعلان الشركة المصنعة الإفلاس، وكانت مايكروسوفت تخاطر كثيرًا بإصدارها منصة "إكس بوكس" حيث صرفت عليه الكثير وفعلت ما لم يتوقع تسويقيا، وقد كانت الساحة محتكرة من قبل سوني و نينتندو.
ويحسن بي أن أذكر بأن الأجيال الأولى من منصات الألعاب، اهتمت بإزاء ألعاب الفيديو العادية، اهتمت بصناعة ألعاب تعليمية وألعاب تجعلك تحرك جسدك أو عقلك أكثر، بعكس ألعاب اليوم التي يغلب عليها الطابع الاستهلاكي الخيالي.
---------------
لكن ما فاجأني أمران:
شيء ما حدث في عام 1983 يتعلق بعالم ألعاب الفيديو، لكن لن أذكره :).
كما أنني تفاجأت بأن العديد من المنصات كانت لها قطع إضافية يمكن شراءها وتركيبها، بعض تلك القطع كانت "مودم" اتصال باالإنترنت، قبل حتى أن ينتشر الإنترنت في العالم العربي!
تفاجأت أيضأ أنني أثناء القراءة كادت عيني أن تدمع عندما شاهدت منصة "كمبيوتر العائلة"، فالذكريات كثيرة معه، الجميلة والمحزنة.
وأخيرًا أعرض بعض الصور وأولها لأقدم منصة ألعاب فيديو والتي صنعت في 1972
November 3, 2022
This text takes a look at the timeline of mostly home and handheld consoles (not as much computers), and comes from the Wikipedia contributer who brought us high-quality images of numerous pieces of hardware. He also provides what is inside many of those consoles, which are clearly shown and simple to understand. Though many of his photos can be found in his photo gallery in Wikimedia Commons, some of them were only shown in this text (though I'm partially unsure what the book's 2nd edition has to offer). Just like on Wikipedia, his photos are crisp on paper.
Concerning the bulk of information found, it is very concise and well written for the size and purpose of the text. Captions also contain tidbits about the console's features along with other specifics related to its backstories or different releases. The specifications right below the name of the console, however, can be a little inconsistent; for example, the Atari 2600 and the Genesis have different specs included. They both include the launch price and games released. Yet, the four other specs stated for the Atari 2600 are the processor, coprocessor, RAM, and number of colors; the Sega Genesis (or Mega Drive) includes the Pack-in game, ad slogan, console's best-seller, and number of consoles sold instead. I understand, however, if certain pieces of information were simply unavailable.
Though Amos only stated Wikipedia as a source, and does not have an official bibliography in the text, he stated in the second edition of the book that heavy reasearch and interviews went into the book. I originally thought that Wikipedia was his source due to his enthusiasm about it in the introduction section of the book's first version until I stumbled upon a preview of the second in Google Books. Upon reading about how this information was put together, I can trust much more on the facts from the text. Also, though I do agree with others that video game screenshots showcasing each console's technical capabilities would be amazing in this book as well, I feel it may only crowd the book, unneccessarily extend its length, and/or make the book's purpose less fulfilled due to how the text was meant to display high-quality pictures of consoles on the outside and inside. If the photos are of high quality, they must be of large size too.
Overall, this book is enjoyable for those who are interested in a console's architecture through time, along with those who like a brief rundown of the video game industry's history, and the ones who like video gaming in general. It can be especially interesting to those who would want a permanent home museum exibit about consoles. This book has exclusive elements that one must check out. I look forward to getting its updated version soon.
Concerning the bulk of information found, it is very concise and well written for the size and purpose of the text. Captions also contain tidbits about the console's features along with other specifics related to its backstories or different releases. The specifications right below the name of the console, however, can be a little inconsistent; for example, the Atari 2600 and the Genesis have different specs included. They both include the launch price and games released. Yet, the four other specs stated for the Atari 2600 are the processor, coprocessor, RAM, and number of colors; the Sega Genesis (or Mega Drive) includes the Pack-in game, ad slogan, console's best-seller, and number of consoles sold instead. I understand, however, if certain pieces of information were simply unavailable.
Though Amos only stated Wikipedia as a source, and does not have an official bibliography in the text, he stated in the second edition of the book that heavy reasearch and interviews went into the book. I originally thought that Wikipedia was his source due to his enthusiasm about it in the introduction section of the book's first version until I stumbled upon a preview of the second in Google Books. Upon reading about how this information was put together, I can trust much more on the facts from the text. Also, though I do agree with others that video game screenshots showcasing each console's technical capabilities would be amazing in this book as well, I feel it may only crowd the book, unneccessarily extend its length, and/or make the book's purpose less fulfilled due to how the text was meant to display high-quality pictures of consoles on the outside and inside. If the photos are of high quality, they must be of large size too.
Overall, this book is enjoyable for those who are interested in a console's architecture through time, along with those who like a brief rundown of the video game industry's history, and the ones who like video gaming in general. It can be especially interesting to those who would want a permanent home museum exibit about consoles. This book has exclusive elements that one must check out. I look forward to getting its updated version soon.
December 24, 2018
Evan Amos has a unique story to tell. Instead of griping about the low quality of video game console photos on Wikipedia, he decided to do something about it. What began as a personal photography project evolved into a rabbit hole of console gaming history that eventually led to a very successful crowd-funding campaign and a hit book.
Amos does an exceptional job of presenting photos — exterior, exploded views, and more — of nearly every video game system ever made the world over. Combined with objective blurbs about each piece, as well as fun factoids, he invites readers to “rediscover lost classics and see old favorites in a new light.”
There’s very little I could suggest that would improve on the book’s final product. An index in the back would be nice, as would fixing the typo on the title page. I also wonder about the list of systems that were left out. Some are obvious, given that it would be redundant to list every Game Boy Advance clone ever made. But others — like the Video Art and Pico — seem like they should have a place. It’s possible Amos was unable to secure copies of these consoles, but that seems unlikely given the weird / rare / out-there stuff he was able to get his hands on.
These are minor constructive criticisms, though. This book is both a fantastic read and a nice coffee table piece. Bravo!
Amos does an exceptional job of presenting photos — exterior, exploded views, and more — of nearly every video game system ever made the world over. Combined with objective blurbs about each piece, as well as fun factoids, he invites readers to “rediscover lost classics and see old favorites in a new light.”
There’s very little I could suggest that would improve on the book’s final product. An index in the back would be nice, as would fixing the typo on the title page. I also wonder about the list of systems that were left out. Some are obvious, given that it would be redundant to list every Game Boy Advance clone ever made. But others — like the Video Art and Pico — seem like they should have a place. It’s possible Amos was unable to secure copies of these consoles, but that seems unlikely given the weird / rare / out-there stuff he was able to get his hands on.
These are minor constructive criticisms, though. This book is both a fantastic read and a nice coffee table piece. Bravo!
January 7, 2019
The broader book summary, you can get that from the other reviewers. I am focusing on nostalgia. The pictures and brief synopsis of the consoles are just right. I wasn't interested in any in depth examinations. Just a cool, short, outing to memory lane. Oh boy do I miss my Atari (2600) It really brings back the memories of me and my sister in the halcyon days. The original Genesis (SEGA) with the original Sonic. I’d pay good money for those consoles. The real ones! Not the SHIBAI one’s retailers are trying to pass off as if they were what we clearly thought we were buying. Music not the same, controllers don’t execute essential functions, and if the graphics are not the same, then what did they think we intended to buy? FRAUD! Pardon, I must go check out e-bay now.
November 29, 2018
If you liked Namco Museum (1995-1998) and hoped there was a book with just that sort of information out there, here it is. This title shows a myriad of gaming consoles, their evolution, and the juicy innards that we all crave to gaze upon --the circuit boards. It's a beautiful, enjoyable book that is just a little above your standard coffee table reading material.
There is a linear style to it as it progresses forward to contemporary systems like the Nintendo Switch. You can follow the trail of system to system changes and borrowing or look at the way controllers have adapted and swapped over the years.
There is a linear style to it as it progresses forward to contemporary systems like the Nintendo Switch. You can follow the trail of system to system changes and borrowing or look at the way controllers have adapted and swapped over the years.
August 5, 2019
Sony Ponies are gross.
The large color pictures are nice, but info is sparse, and what's there is marred by severe Sony fanboyism. For instance, the author falls over himself trying to explain away the Vita's failure, blaming smartphones (although the 3DS thrived at the same time in the exact same market) and fails to mention the criminally overpriced memory cards or the fact Sony themselves virtually abandoned the system immediately after launch.
The high failure rates of the disc drives in the PS1 and PS2, and CPU of the Phat PS3 (YLOD) are all carefully sidestepped, but you can bet your ass Nintendo and Microsoft get their feet held to the fire at every opportunity.
The large color pictures are nice, but info is sparse, and what's there is marred by severe Sony fanboyism. For instance, the author falls over himself trying to explain away the Vita's failure, blaming smartphones (although the 3DS thrived at the same time in the exact same market) and fails to mention the criminally overpriced memory cards or the fact Sony themselves virtually abandoned the system immediately after launch.
The high failure rates of the disc drives in the PS1 and PS2, and CPU of the Phat PS3 (YLOD) are all carefully sidestepped, but you can bet your ass Nintendo and Microsoft get their feet held to the fire at every opportunity.
September 19, 2024
** A coffee table book tracing the history of video game consoles **
This is a delightful book full of photographs of and brief capsules about game consoles, with chapters divided up into generations from the first Magnavox Odyssey to the decade-ago generation that included the PS4, xBox One, and Nintendo Switch. This first edition was published in 2019. There is a revised "The Game Console 2.0" published in 2021.
It does not include everything, but does have the most common and important consoles, as well as some computers that were largely known as gaming platforms, such as the Commodore 64.
If I had a coffee table I would definitely keep this on display.
This is a delightful book full of photographs of and brief capsules about game consoles, with chapters divided up into generations from the first Magnavox Odyssey to the decade-ago generation that included the PS4, xBox One, and Nintendo Switch. This first edition was published in 2019. There is a revised "The Game Console 2.0" published in 2021.
It does not include everything, but does have the most common and important consoles, as well as some computers that were largely known as gaming platforms, such as the Commodore 64.
If I had a coffee table I would definitely keep this on display.
December 23, 2018
This book is a nice 10,000-foot overview of the video game industry, told visually through images of all of the major game consoles.
The solid photography guides readers through the various generations of video game consoles, sharing exploded views and a some historical tidbits.
The volume doesn’t purport to be exhaustive, but showcases the nice imaging and preservation efforts of author Evan Amos. Highly recommended as light reading for video game enthusiasts or those nostalgic for the history they remember.
The solid photography guides readers through the various generations of video game consoles, sharing exploded views and a some historical tidbits.
The volume doesn’t purport to be exhaustive, but showcases the nice imaging and preservation efforts of author Evan Amos. Highly recommended as light reading for video game enthusiasts or those nostalgic for the history they remember.
May 8, 2021
This coffee table book is a must for any gamer that has an interest in gaming history and the different actors that played in it.
I consider myself well-enough versed in the video game history, but this book goes in great details on popular consoles, but show the same level of details on mysterious long forgotten (or even never released) systems.
I bought this book to look at the great pictures and leave on my coffee table, but ended up reading it from start to finish.
High quality writing with even higher quality photos.
I consider myself well-enough versed in the video game history, but this book goes in great details on popular consoles, but show the same level of details on mysterious long forgotten (or even never released) systems.
I bought this book to look at the great pictures and leave on my coffee table, but ended up reading it from start to finish.
High quality writing with even higher quality photos.
November 28, 2018
This is a great book for video game enthusiasts, in particular those who are interested in the consoles. This book covers every major console dating back from the very beginning and going all the way to the Nintendo Switch. The book focuses on the hardware rather than the software and often shows the inside of what the systems look like. There were many of these that I hadn't heard of. This was a quick but very fascinating read.
December 1, 2018
Great console history
Overall, a great pictorial look at the history of game consoles. The pictures and exploded diagrams/photos were great. It would have been nice to see the summary charts be more consistent (the same information in each to do an apples to apples comparison between systems), but otherwise a really good book.
Overall, a great pictorial look at the history of game consoles. The pictures and exploded diagrams/photos were great. It would have been nice to see the summary charts be more consistent (the same information in each to do an apples to apples comparison between systems), but otherwise a really good book.
June 21, 2021
Cool book to flip through. Big fan of gaming consoles. I started with a Nintendo 64 and have loved gaming ever since then. So many good memories tied to video games.. Plus this book shows a cool breakdown of the internal workings of many of the devices. As an adult, I'm way more techy and I'm drawn to the breakdown/how it's made.
December 19, 2021
Get this book for the photos, stay for the History lesson. I have been a console gamer most of my life and seeing the visual evolution (inside & out) over the decades is great. There are systems I have never even heard of, so it was fun to learn about them and what companies were willing to try.
In conclusion: SEGA!!!
In conclusion: SEGA!!!
January 4, 2019
Finally, a coffee table book for gaming geeks. This guide covers game consoles released on the market from the 70s up through 2018 and features specs, fun factoids, and full-color pictures and dissections.
If that's your jam, it's terrific.
If that's your jam, it's terrific.
January 23, 2019
The Game Console
Absolutely brilliant book about all the generation's of games console's, ranging from the early classics like the Atari 2600 to more modern machines like the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox one. Features a lot of views of the insides of aforementioned consoles.
Absolutely brilliant book about all the generation's of games console's, ranging from the early classics like the Atari 2600 to more modern machines like the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox one. Features a lot of views of the insides of aforementioned consoles.
April 7, 2020
Not a book I'd usually read and I was pleasantly surprised. Lots of memories here from my childhood playing SEGA MegaDrive and Nintendo. As a historian, the evolution of the machines and the gaming experience was of interest alongside the economic crashes and rebounds.
August 12, 2020
Beautiful images of consoles insides and outsides but I wish it had more in-depth information and details about the board layouts and some information about the software development kits used to build games for the different consoles.
January 11, 2021
While there is a wealth of photographic content, it is not as extensive as advertised. The textual content on the other hand is extremely lacking.
It's not bad, but it certainly isn't as good as expected.
It's not bad, but it certainly isn't as good as expected.
January 21, 2021
This is primarily a photography book book, featuring detailed and high quality photos of most consoles no matter how large or small. Each system has a brief text introduction which is far to small, but that's hardly the point of this gorgeous book.
July 12, 2021
This photographer does a magnificent job of capturing and preserving decades of hardware, from common to obscure. If you're ever had to grab a photo of a game system from google images you've probably used his work.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews