Classic Home Video Games, 1985–1988

February 15, 2010
Weiss follows his 2007 volume (Classic Home Video Games, 19721984) with this follow-up, which covers games made for the Atari 7800, Nintendo NES, and Sega Master System, with the bulk of the text devoted to the popular Nintendo system. The entry for each game lists the publisher, developer, possible number of players, and year of publication. Sound, graphics, and levels of play are briefly described, and the authoran experienced collector and gamerprovides his well-educated opinion on the quality of play. Arcade games and other systems for which the game was also ported are listed. A glossary and index provide further information. For as far as it goes, this reference is professionally executed and an obvious labor of love. However, it could go further. Illustrations are confined to grainy gray photos of cartridges and packaging, where screen shots would be much more visually descriptive. Although general notes about availability are given, collectors will find no information about current market values. Lists of the best games in various stylessports, puzzle, shooters, role-playing, and so onwould provide a welcome entry point for casual fans of retrospective gaming. Ultimately, for fans of this topic, online searching is a more likely reference tool, and in most cases, it provides more extensive information, including opportunities to buy or sell the game, detailed advice on play, screen captures, and in some cases even a chance to try an online version.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)