Gaming Compendiums: Essential Books for Video Game Collectors and Historians
For many, collecting classic video games is more than a hobby; it is a passion and a way to revisit the formative years of interactive entertainment. From the early days of the Atari VCS to the 16-bit era of the Sega Genesis, the history of gaming is vast and often fragmented. To navigate this landscape, collectors and historians rely on gaming compendiums—comprehensive reference books that document prices, production history, and gameplay mechanics.
Whether you are looking to determine the market value of a rare cartridge or seeking a curated list of must-play titles, these publications serve as the definitive archives of the medium.
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Key Facts
- Price Accuracy: Specialized guides like Collecting Cartridges use actual selling price averages rather than arbitrary numbers to determine value.
- Historical Scope: Reference works by Brett Weiss cover the evolution of home consoles from 1972 through 1990.
- Comprehensive Cataloging: Some guides, such as The Complete NES, document every single licensed game for a specific system (678 for the NES).
- Diverse Formats: Available resources range from strategy guides and A-Z reviews to children's introductions and academic-style histories.
Price Guides and Collector Resources
Determining the value of a vintage game requires more than just a title; it requires an understanding of condition. Michael S. Richardson's Collecting Cartridges (ISBN 9-781545-196113) addresses this by providing a system to categorize games by their physical state. This guide focuses on early systems including the Atari VCS (2600), 5200, 7800, Mattel Intellivision, ColecoVision, and Milton Bradley Microvision.
Beyond pricing, the guide emphasizes the importance of the original programmers, treating these early developers as the "rock stars" of the era. By providing a thorough cross-reference appendix, it allows collectors to explore the full library of specific designers.
System-Specific Documentation
For those focused on the Nintendo Entertainment System, The Complete NES: The Ultimate NES Collector's Book by Jeffrey Wittenhagen (ISBN 978-1-68222-184-6) is a vital resource. It details all 678 licensed NES games, providing box art and screenshots, while offering a checklist for collectors to track their acquisition of the box, cartridge, and manual.
Historical Surveys and Curated Lists
While some books focus on value, others focus on the cultural and artistic significance of games. Brett Weiss has produced a series of highly researched reference works that categorize the pre-NES and early console eras:
- Classic Home Video Games, 1972–1984: Covers every official U.S. release for programmable consoles of the pre-NES era, including the Fairchild Channel F and Vectrex.
- Classic Home Video Games, 1985–1988: Focuses on the Atari 7800, Master System, and primarily the NES.
- Classic Home Video Games, 1989–1990: Documents the 16-bit era, specifically the Sega Genesis, Neo Geo, and TurboGrafx-16.
Other notable curated lists include 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die, edited by Tony Mott, and The 100 Greatest Console Video Games: 1977-1987 by Brett Weiss, which provides production history and critical commentary for the early golden age of gaming.
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Specialized Guides and Genre Studies
Gaming literature also extends into specific genres and target audiences. For instance, Hardcoregaming101.net Presents: The Guide to Classic Graphic Adventures catalogues over 300 graphic adventures from 1984 to 2000, featuring developer interviews and full reviews.
For younger audiences, 101 Video Games To Play Before You Grow Up by Ben Bertoli introduces children to essential game series through synopses and trivia. Meanwhile, The Video Games Guide by Matt Fox utilizes an A-Z format similar to film guides, rating over 1,000 games on a five-star scale and providing a visual timeline of graphics.
Early Strategy and Review Literature
The tradition of gaming guides began long before the internet. In the early 1980s, authors like Ken Uston published massive strategy guides, such as the 676-page Guide to Buying and Beating the Home Video Games (1982). Similarly, Rawson Stovall's The Vid Kid's Book of Home Video Games (1984) compiled reviews for 80 games across systems like the Odyssey 2 and Vectrex.
Summary of Notable Gaming Compendiums
| Book Title | Primary Focus | Key Systems/Era | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collecting Cartridges | Price Guide | Atari, Intellivision, Coleco | Condition-based pricing |
| The Complete NES | Collector's Catalog | Nintendo NES | Checklist for all 678 games |
| Classic Home Video Games Series | Historical Reference | 1972–1990 | Comprehensive U.S. release lists |
| The Video Games Guide | General Review | Various (A-Z) | 5-star rating system |
| The Book of Games (Vol 1 & 2) | Modern Era (2005-2007) | Various | Focus on gameplay and screenshots |
Frequently Asked Questions
How are the prices in Collecting Cartridges determined?
The prices are not arbitrary; they are calculated as an average of actual selling prices for each title, using specific formulas to adjust the value based on the game's condition.
Which books are best for documenting the 16-bit era?
Brett Weiss's Classic Home Video Games, 1989–1990 is the primary resource for the 16-bit era, covering the Sega Genesis, Neo Geo, and TurboGrafx-16.
Is there a comprehensive guide for the NES?
Yes, The Complete NES: The Ultimate NES Collector's Book by Jeffrey Wittenhagen details all 678 Nintendo-licensed games for the system.
What is the focus of the Hardcoregaming101.net guide?
This guide specifically catalogues over 300 graphic adventures released between 1984 and 2000, including reviews and developer interviews.
Are there any guides for very early, pre-1985 consoles?
Yes, Brett Weiss's Classic Home Video Games, 1972–1984 covers a wide array of early systems, including the Adventure Vision, Fairchild Channel F, and RCA Studio II.