There are certain video game platforms that stick in our memory longer than most, and these are often the systems that we cut our gaming teeth on; not necessarily our first, but certainly the ones that had the most impact on our formative years. You never forget your first love, as the saying goes.
Video game journalist and Nintendo Life contributor Chris Scullion isn't unique in that the NES is the machine he has the most affection for – just like millions of other players over the world – but his story is unusual as he's based in the UK, which was very much a Sega stronghold back in the late '80s and early '90s. Chris has already recounted why Nintendo's 8-bit console is so special to him personally on this very site, but to really hammer the point home he's written an entire flippin' book about the thing. Tsk.
Now, we've had plenty of books about the NES in the past, but Scullion's NES Encyclopedia is different; it aims to document all 714 officially-licenced games released during the console's lifespan (that doesn't include Famicom titles, it should be noted – we imagine Scullion would have been taken away by men in white coats had he attempted that feat), as well as over 160 unlicenced titles which cover everything from Tengen's legally-dubious output to notoriously ropey religious games and 'erotic' carts like Bubble Bath Babes (talk about suffering for your art).
Scullion clearly knows his stuff when it comes to the NES, and this is evidenced by the fact that each game comes with a written description as well as screenshots and a small nugget of trivia. If you're a fan of his work on this very site and Official Nintendo Magazine (RIP), then you'll already know that Scullion has a penchant for pumping out accessible-yet-knowledgeable writing laced with welcome humour, and here he's able to comprehensively sum up the appeal of each title short, bite-sized chunks that more often than not also succeed in raising a smile. We like to think we're pretty clued-up when it comes to all things Nintendo, but there's plenty in this book that is totally new even to us, which speaks volumes about the quality and depth of this particular publication.
If you're new to the NES or merely want a detailed catalogue of all the games released on the machine, then we really can't recommend The NES Encyclopedia enough – and we're not just saying that because Scullion knows where we live and has threatened to send us terrible unlicenced NES cartridges through the mail until we post a glowing review of his tome.
Joking aside, this is a genuinely exhaustive guide to what made Nintendo's bulky grey box such a game-changing piece of hardware; it covers the big-hitters such as Super Mario Bros. 3, Castlevania, Zelda, Contra, Metroid and many more, but also shines a light on the incredible volume other games which graced the format – a large proportion of which can safely be considered hidden gems that are worthy of investigation, even by today's standards. Of course, if you're in the UK like us, then there's even more stuff to unearth here, as many NES games were exclusive to the US and never made it to European shores.
Scullion has mentioned doing the same thing with the SNES, so if you're keen to see him produce his next magnum opus, you need to support his current book. Who knows, this may even be the start of a whole series...
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Comments 26
Had this on preorder from amazon (UK) for ages. Can’t wait to get stuck into it. Great stuff
Disappointed to see that Chris hasn't written this review. Missed opportunity.
My friend works at the publisher that published this, so he got it for me nice and cheap. Great book, and my NES want list jumped from 20 games to 90! Apparently he's also doing a SNES and Megadrive one, if the publisher is anything to go by .
@AcridSkull Something about ethics?
Thanks for this review guys, I really appreciate the kind words and I'm delighted you like the book.
@Stocksy - Amazon UK's had it in stock for a while now, do you mean US? Because if not you should chase it up
It's a great book. Looking forward to the SNES one next.
@Damo I heard there wasn't any in this neck of the woods. Read it on the internet, so it must be true.
Preordered this from Waterstones. Very interesting reading. Would buy a SNES book if released.
There's also the book by Pat Contri (aka Pat the NES Punk): "Ultimate Nintendo: Guide to the NES Library". Don't know how the two books compare, though.
Is this book in Hardcover?
DO. WANT.
This book looks AWESOME. Seriously, I think this is the thing my life lacks at the moment. lol! Another video game book to add to my growing collection.
Is it possible to link the UK price to Amazon UK and not US?
I get paid next Friday so I will get it then. A SNES one I would be on like donkey Kong!!!
I've picked this up and can attest to the fact that it's just a wonderfully oppulent encyclopedia of all things NES. Much like Senor Scullion, the NES is an incredibly personal and heartfelt piece of my childhood and subsequent passage into being the person I am today.
My only gripe with this review, and I'm nitpicking here, is that Chris didn't review this himself and give it a 7....
@scully1888 I’ve checked on my amazon and it’s been delivered. I’ve been staying at a hospital in London for six weeks with my daughter and it’s two hours from home and not been home. Will be a nice welcome gift when I get back!
I live in the U.K and knew only one person in my entire school of 1000 kids that had any Sega consoles. This assumption that England was A 'Sega stronghold' just isn't true. It was regional. Everybody i knew was Nintendo from the NES upwards, We thought Sega kids were spastic.
I would definitely buy the third in the series.
Love the NES this looks like a fantastic read.
I always had a SMS so this book is of less interest. A megadrive or SNES version on the other hand would be a must have for me
Bit annoying the price now is even cheaper than when I preordered (which was already £9 lower than RRP) but oh well. That’s what I get for pre-ordering!
On a positive note, from what I’ve skimmed so far it looks like great stuff. I just need to finish reading the Gamecube anthology book.
Is it an English translation of Pix'n'Love NES/Famicom Bible? (https://www.editionspixnlove.com/les-bibles-du-jeu-video/113-la-bible-nes-famicom.html)
Best of luck. Sounds like a very nice piece of memorabilia for any gamer's room. ^^
@Stocksy Hope your daughter gets well soon
@Tempestryke thanks mate very kind of you to message. Getting there slowly.
I got this book for my birthday and it's very good. I'm glad it got reviewed.
There are so many of these now. Kind of hard to see why this is different.
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