We've seen an explosion in books celebrating retro video game history lately. One of the most prolific publishers is UK-based Bitmap Books, which is responsible for many of our favourites - including the excellent Super Famicom: The Box Art Collection. Their catchily titled 'Visual Compendium' series has already tackled the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and Amiga - and now it's the turn of a console. Not just any console, either - we're talking about the mighty NES (or Famicom to our Japanese friends).
Of course the NES needs no introduction here at Nintendo Life, so let's just dive straight into the book. This visual compendium aims to showcase the very best pixel art, box art and product design on the NES. Each of the 536 pages is jam-packed with attractive pixel art along with mini reviews from contributors as revered as ex-Mean Machines' Julian Rignall and former Rare designer Kev Bayliss. Steve Jarratt - famous for launching UK publications such as Total!, EDGE and Official Nintendo Magazine - is sat firmly in the editor's chair, while our very own Damien McFerran has contributed several in-depth company profiles and interviews.
The book is overflowing with attractive schematics, bespoke pixel art, great interviews and tidbits which you might not have known previously. If you're a fan of the NES - or Nintendo in general - then this really has a bit of everything. As you might expect from the title, the focus is on striking imagery but there's more than enough written content to keep you busy here, including exclusive interviews with the Pickford Brothers, Bayliss himself and illustrator Tom Dubois.
Every now and then you'll stumble across fold-out sections such as a Kirby's Adventure spread which spans 4 pages. It's nice to see the pixel art showcased in such a way and it makes a nice change as you thumb through the book. It even looks good when you're not reading it - the tome comes protected in a tough slipcase which sports a rather attractive lenticular fascia.
While British players will have a soft spot for the likes of the ZX Spectrum and C64, it's wonderful to see Bitmap Books has now expanded its Visual Compendium series to include consoles, and we personally can't wait to see what the publisher tackles next.
The Unofficial NES/Famicom: A Visual Compendium is available now direct from the publisher or via Funstock.
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Comments 28
Looks lovely, much better than that Kickstarter book with the cheap paper.
I wonder how much shipping to the west coast of the United States would be...? ; )
@AcridSkull this is the same as their kickstarter book. I own it and it's definitely not cheap paper.
Do an N64 one and I'm there.
This is the book I've been specifically waiting to release. I'll be spending some time with it very soon - a little reward at the end of a long work schedule. Sadly my switch is collecting dust atm (not by choice), but this NES artwork might take priority when I finally get some alone time.
@hippoeater I'm talking about 'Playing with Power'.
How could I possibly be comparing this book to itself?
Gonna order this. Looks much better than that Official Prima NES tat I bought alongside the NES Mini last year.
I'm currently reading Bitmaps Books' Super Famicom Box Art book, which is excellent. I hope they do a Famicom Box Art collection book, as well as a SNES version of this book. Heck, they should do both sets of books for the N64 too, I'll buy them all!
@timson72 this one isn't by Bitmap but may interest you -
http://www.funstockretro.co.uk/n64-anthology-book-collectors-edition
@timson72 n64 anthology is £30 on amazon and is quite a nice book.
Got my kick starter copy a week or two ago and couldn't be happier! Probably going to buy another for myself (for the actual coffee table) and my brother-in-law. I could not recommend it enough to anyone with an appreciation for the NES era, or the golden age of videogames.
I backed this book on Kickstarter and I can confirm it is very high quality, looks beautiful and fits in perfectly with any Museum quality book. It's the ultimate visual look back at the NES era. Everything about the book is super high quality.
I love it so much, I just ordered the Commodore 64 version of the book, which offers the same presentation for its games.
Bitmap books does great stuff. I also own Artcade, a lovely presentation of Arcade cabinet art that every old school arcade rat should own. I also have the Famicom art book, which again, is a beautiful read.
For the N64, The Anthology Book mentioned is also a great pick up.
It is nice to live in an era where our hobby is celebrated via these high quality books.
And FYI, the Super Nintendo version of this will be on Kickstarter next. I'm sure the wonderful folks at NL will keep us posted!
Such a shame that the official Nes book by prima was so terrible, it had a lot of potential. I'm still cross that it didn't have a Zelda map...
I've ordered this book the bitmap Nes book.
Boy do I wish I could afford to buy most of the books these guys are selling; they are works of art.
PS. I backed this book on Kickstarter but I can't actually afford to buy it—just wanted to support something great.
@AcridSkull
um,
"Looks lovely, much better than that Kickstarter book with the cheap paper."
Playing with power was never a kickstarter book...
Hence why you can understand my confusion at your comment.
I helped kickstart this into creation, and it's one of the best investments I've ever made. My name is also printed in the back, which impressed my kids to no end!
@hippoeater not really no. It's not like this is the only NES book that's ever been on Kickstarter.
@AcridSkull So first you apparently reference no actual book "just that book" then you reference this one :
I'm taking about 'Playing with Power'.
How could I possibly be comparing this book to itself?
Now you're back to referencing just anything that's every been on kickstarter that was an nes book.
cool story.
Any chance of a review of a certain NES Guide book made by some Punk named Pat?
@hippoeater that's correct, I never referenced a specific book in my original comment. You made an incorrect assumption. Glad we've got that cleared up for you.
@AhabSpampurse Haha, yea I managed to impress my older boy with my name being in the back too. Simple things,
@Pj1
Especially as it says Here's a full copy of the map, and then, there is NO MAP!!!!!!
Love that pixel art arrangement.
Any good US buying options? I've found it on a few overseas shops but the shipping costs the same amount as the book.
@dazzleshell thanks
@AcridSkull thanks
I backed this book and i love it, a lot of cool screenshots and pixel artwork, but a lot of trivia, interviews with game designers and with a cover artist too, they're planning to do a kickstarter for a similar book about the Super NES, and i'll back that one too! ^_^
@MysticX Me too, I'll back one if they do Super Nes one.
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