Looking for a good video game console history encyclopedia/book

[Bwigdahl]

Hello all, it has been a very long time since I posted here but I remember this being a very good/well informed community of collectors and I was wondering if there are any good books that give a detailed look at video game consoles/computers through history? The specifics I would be looking for would be for it to be chronological, a run down and history on the key people and significant games. And the more consoles the better. I have been listening to a podcast that will regularly reference consoles I've never heard of and it all is very interesting to me. I looked for books on Google but I was never able to really figure if the results I got were what I was looking for.


Anyways if anyone has any suggestions that I could further research I would appreciate it. If not then happy holidays and I hope you are all well!

[wartoy]

The game console is a photographic history book that covers 86 different consoles. My favorite book is 1001 video games you must play before you die. It doesn't cover consoles exactly but it lists 1001 games to play and the system or systems you can play them on.I hope this helps.

[oldgamerz]

I don't know of any books or encyclopedias but there is a Youtuber channel called "The Gaming Historian" but you probally heard or watched his stuff but it's an interesting YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/user/mcfrosticles/featured

[snyderec3]

I don't know of any books or encyclopedias but there is a Youtuber channel called "The Gaming Historian" but you probally heard or watched his stuff but it's an interesting YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/user/mcfrosticles/featured

The Gaming Historian covers a lot of really interesting aspects of the gaming industry, as well as some pretty obscure consoles and accessories. I second this reccomendation.

Bitmap Books might also be of interest to you, although maybe not exactly what you're looking for since each book only covers a single console, not every console.

https://www.bitmapbooks.co.uk/

[Bwigdahl]

I don't know of any books or encyclopedias but there is a Youtuber channel called "The Gaming Historian" but you probally heard or watched his stuff but it's an interesting YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/user/mcfrosticles/featured

The Gaming Historian covers a lot of really interesting aspects of the gaming industry, as well as some pretty obscure consoles and accessories. I second this reccomendation.

Bitmap Books might also be of interest to you, although maybe not exactly what you're looking for since each book only covers a single console, not every console.

https://www.bitmapbooks.co.uk/

I have not watched the gaming historian so I will definitely keep that recommendation in my brain for later. And those bitmap books look awesome. Not exactly what I'm looking for but cool nonetheless. I'm starting to wonder if the thing I want exists at all. Wish I knew how to write a book 

[tradinggoatgames]

I know Pat The NES Punk has some comprehensive books on the NES and SNES library. Haven't read them personally but worth a shot.

[motopants]

 How about starting a video game book section right here in this database? Seems they represent physical tangible history of games and should now be included. Some are hard to find and rare just like the games themselves so a publication section would be awesome! Can also contribute a lot to something like that as I've collected video game history books all the while with the actual games.

[snyderec3]

How about starting a video game book section right here in this database? Seems they represent physical tangible history of games and should now be included. Some are hard to find and rare just like the games themselves so a publication section would be awesome! Can also contribute a lot to something like that as I've collected video game history books all the while with the actual games.

You'll find them under Swag > Print Media

Here's an example:
https://vgcollect.com/item/155175

[theflea]

With my vast knowledge of gaming consoles from around the world maybe I should make one. lol
I own about 90% of gaming consoles around the world, it rare to find one I don't know about.

I could pretty much list every console & handheld released worldwide. Some might be grouped together like Pong consoles just because they would take up half the list. lol

If I think I have a day of boredom maybe I make a list of all consoles released and post them here. Maybe I'll learn something new. 

[stealthrush]

Recommend The Encyclopedia of Game Machines: Consoles, Handhelds & Home Computers 1972-2005 by Winnie Forster.

https://vgcollect.com/item/36386

[turf]

I don't know of any books or encyclopedias but there is a Youtuber channel called "The Gaming Historian" but you probally heard or watched his stuff but it's an interesting YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/user/mcfrosticles/featured

My boy Norm getting some love in the forums! 
Norm is an awesome guy and puts out great content. You can’t go wrong.

Pat’s books are really good. They are big and beautiful. It’s not any information you can’t find on the internet, but it’s wonderfully laid out. I have both and would recommend them. Plus you can see my name in print in both of them. 

Fun fact: I had a conversation, albeit a short one, with Pat about writing for the SNES book.

[Bwigdahl]

Recommend The Encyclopedia of Game Machines: Consoles, Handhelds & Home Computers 1972-2005 by Winnie Forster.

https://vgcollect.com/item/36386

I think this might be the winner as far as what I'm looking for but I appreciate all the suggestions from everyone. Definitely some interesting stuff to look into.