Bitmap Books is a publisher dedicated to giving readers an in-depth look at the history of gaming and the franchises that have left a lasting impact. Its titles encompass everything from a look at SNES artwork to the complete history of Metal Slug--though they're often sold out at Amazon or marked up by resellers. Thankfully, a two of the publisher's most popular and gorgeous books are getting reprints, with preorders now open ahead of their September 3 launch.
A Guide to Japanese Role-Playing Games
$45
Clocking in at over 650 pages, this book gives you an expansive look at the landscape of JRPGs. It discusses everything from Pokemon and Dragon Quest to Final Fantasy and Megami Tensei. It also covers multiple eras, starting with retro 8-bit titles before jumping to modern releases. The book itself is a work of art, with a hardcover design that uses special pantone inks and metallic foil accents.
Go Straight: The Ultimate Guide to Side-Scrolling Beat-Em-Ups
$45
Much like the book above, Go Straight is a book dedicated to a single genre of games--side-scrolling beat-'em-ups. It examines over 200 games across nearly four decades, including hits like Kung-Fu Master, Streets of Rage 4, and Golden Axe. The book is a hefty 456 pages and features a vibrant hardcover design that'd look great in a game room or displayed on a coffee table.
While those are the only two books up for preorder, you'll find plenty of other Bitmap Books up for grabs at Amazon. Here's a look at a few of our favorites.
Best Bitmap Books
- SNES/Super Famicom: A Visual Compendium -- $67
- The SNES Pixel Book -- $48
- Metal Slug: The Ultimate History -- $70
- NeoGeo: A Visual History -- $54
- Atari 2600/7800: A Visual Compendium -- $63
- NES/Famicom: A Visual Compendium -- $47
- Artcade: Book of Classic Arcade Game Art -- $56
- The Games That Weren't -- $46
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