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At 224 pages and 600 illustrations this newly translated tome may just be the most complete guide ever to the world of games consoles and kit.

The Encyclopaedia of Game.Machines Consoles, handheld & home computers 1972-2005.

Gameplan Publishing has announced the release of the first ever comprehensive encyclopaedia of game consoles, handhelds and home computers, covering the early seventies - from around 1972 - until the present. The good news for vintage kit nuts and gaming enthusiasts the English speaking world over is that the books arrival in the UK will be in a new version lovingly translated from the original German.

Atari to Sega

From Atari to Sega, from the Apple to Nintendo DS this full colour book takes not a regional, or European, but a global view on 33 years of onscreen fun and interaction. The work presents hardware from Japan, from USA, from the UK, France, Germany and Korea - along with a parade of classic software in all its authentic, pixellated glory.

Other than the 600-plus pictures, exclusively shot for the new book, it contains extensive indices, as well as 20 pages of technical data and explanations.

As we said, this chunky volume was originally published in Germany, where Game.Machines - to give it it’s slightly less unwieldy title - has been recognized as both a ‘suitable reference’ and ‘recommended reading’ by Germany's premier micro monthly C't. It’s been called “very entertaining” by Gamestar and even “...compulsory reading” by PlayZone and simply as “Ace” by ComputerBILD magazine.

Two years in the making, this greatly enhanced and revised edition invites you to a time journey across the video game era: From the 4-bit beginnings to the broadband future. More than 400 dream machines and million sellers, bizarre slip-ups and exotic variants are celebrated in full colour chapters with extensive appendixes: Game.Machines is the reference point for members of the PlayStation generation; whether they're gamers or collectors, or just curious.

Anyone who enjoyed the Game On exhibition of vintage video game consoles, arcade machines and examples of early computer graphic art from a couple of years ago will love this book. A treasure trove of old kit to bring a fond tear to the eye of many an older gamer – and remind the newer players just how far we’ve come (and for some, how lucky they are!)

"I've seen a lot of books written on the history of gaming, and yours is by far one of the most entertaining and informative."
— Roy Kimber, P2

The Encyclopaedia of Game.Machines Consoles, handheld & home computers 1972-2005 is out soon, priced £17.95 from Gameplan Publishing.

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