Video Games: A Graphic History

Amazing Inventions / Invenciones increíbles

by Sean Tulien, David Buisan (Illustrator)

Video games evolved over decades from simple consoles to cutting-edge entertainment in homes and arcades. In the twenty-first century, they've also become some of the world's most popular apps. Find out more about the technological innovations, major players, and controversies that have made video-game history. And from the role of game cartridges to the power of the internet, learn how new inventions keep taking gaming to the next level.

Genres: Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, Video Games, Graphic Novels Comics, History

32 pages, Paperback

Published August 3, 2021

About the author

Editor by day, writer by night, professional relaxer the rest of the time.

Reviews

[Alexander Peterhans]

Meant for younger readers, this is a concise and clear overview of video gaming history. Starting with Pong, it then moves through a selection of consoles (plus the PC and smartphones). It ends on multiplayer gaming, and if I had one bit of criticism, it's that the multiplayer chapter doesn't mention online abuse in some form - you shouldn't have to linger on it, but it is a serious problem, and this text will be mostly read by children.

The book is short and sweet, the illustrations are fun - it does what it says on the tin.

(Picked up an ARC through NetGalley)

[Athena Jean]

Thanks to NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Video Games: A Graphic History is an informative and fun graphic novel covering the history of video games from their creation until now. I really enjoyed this book, everything from the writing to the illustrations was compelling and didn't feel like a textbook entry. The (mostly) chronological timeline of video game consoles and companies was visually appealing and informative. I had never even heard of the Magnavox Odyssey! Video Games: A Graphic History is packed with fun facts about gaming history, and puts into perspective just how far video games have come since their creation. What an evolution! I'd absolutely recommend Video Games: A Graphic History to younger kids who are interested in video games and/or technology.

[Mary Bronson]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving an an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was such a cool way of having kids learn about the origins of video games and how they came about. How it started off with Pong and worked its way up to what is now the current state of video games. Showing kids how much has changed over the years. From the big bulky sets to now being able to use your smartphones.

[Catherine Craig (Angelic Light)]

This is a really interesting graphic comic style book which is all about the dawn of video games, and how they have progressed. I really enjoyed reading it, and I found it fascinating, especially as I am an avid gamer.

The book goes into detail about different video game consoles, and their makers, as well as a section about video games, and the internet.

I learned that the first video game console was born in 1968 by Ralph Baer. He called it the Brown Box, and then later it was called The Odyssey. After that, more consoles were born, such as The Atari, ColecoVision and Intellivision. After that came the more commonly known video consoles we know today, such as the systems from Sega, Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony. And of course, we also have the PC.

I really loved this book, and I highly recommend it to older children, and adults, or anyone who loves gaming and wants to learn a bit of history!

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

[Adriana]

This one gets 3.5 stars.
It is a very simple, easy to understand history of video games. It hits the most basic points in their history with enough info to inform and maybe spark some interest in learning more about it, but it never goes beyond the superficial aspects.
It’s all about the graphics with this one. I’m pretty sure all the text arranged together would barely fill out a two-page high school essay, but the graphics help readers quickly and easily identify the people and things being talked about.
Overall, it’s not a full history, but it quickly and easily gets the basic information out there. Consider it a video game primer.

Happy thanks to NetGalley and Graphic Universe for the early read.

[Ashton Emme]

It was amazing. I love video games and this gave me the history of video games and how they came to be.

[Amie's Book Reviews]

This graphic non-fiction history of video games is sure to interest a wide variety of readers.

Whether you were lucky enough to be a kid when Atari came out (as I was) or weren't even born yet, this graphic novel is sure to capture your attention.

Included is a succinct, yet amazingly detailed history of video games and the gaming industry.

I highly recommend this to both those who look back at the beginnings of the industry with nostalgia to those who are gaming now and who are interested in how gaming began.

I rate this book as 5 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to #Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this graphic novel.

[Leslie]

I absolutely loved the book, Video Games. What drew my interest to the book is the subject matter—video games. I will be working at a camp this summer and the theme revolves around video games and their characters. Being someone who knows very little about video games, this book was crash course in the history of video games and it was very easy to understand. (Usually video games go over my head.). I believe video game fans will enjoy this book as well as someone who just wants to know the basics of video games. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. (This review is also on GoodReads.)

[Alex]

This is a super quick graphic history of video games. It focuses a lot on the beginning of video games and brushes over the past 20 years in a few pages. I think it would be better if it either focused on the beginning or put more information into recent history. I think it's easy to understand and the graphics are pretty good expect a few blurry letterings. Also, the beginning talks about how we got from the Brown Box to Fortnite and, while I'm not a fan of Fornite, I disliked that it wasn't brought up again. I think this has the potential to be a good book, but it just fell a little flat.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Nook]

Video Games A Graphic History gives a brief overview of gaming history, from the very first console, the Magnavox Odyssey all the way to the Nintendo Switch. It keeps it simple and uses some wonderful illustrations to highlight many of the milestones in the advance of technology.

Many of the facts included are common knowledge to gamers with an interest, but I did find myself learning a few new things. It's certainly a great starting point for children and teens.

[Free Advance Copy Provided Via NetGalley]

[Candace S.]

This will be the perfect book to give to my child who is obsessed both with video games and graphic novels. This book does a great job of exploring the history of video games in a way that is both entertaining and accessible to its target audience. Even as a non-gamer it made me nostalgic for the video games of my childhood in the 1980s and 90s. Perhaps I'll go play a little Super Mario now. :)

Thank you to NetGalley and Lerner Publishing for providing me with a digital advanced reader copy for review.

[Vannessa Anderson]

Amazing Inventions Video Games A Graphic History is written in comic book style.

A few things I learned

--Ralph Baer built the first video game console prototype between 1967 and 1968.

2) The pictures are crisp--the print areas are so small I had to use a magnfying a glass.

Amazing Inventions Video Games A Graphic History is a great book for all ages who are interested in learning about the History of video games.

[Stacey Adams]

This graphic novel chronicles video gaming in an easy to follow manner. Well written. I learned a lot about the game systems I love. Nice to have this background, interesting. Atari, Sega, Sony, Nintendo, x box.....a little info on each system, just enough. Nice.

[Nichole]

This was really well done. There are a lot of really terrible books about video games out there-- basically no information at all-- especially when written for children. But this one was great.

[wildct2003]

Good for a basic history

Kind of ends abruptly

[Melissa]

This was a very short overview, but it was informative and easy to understand. It took me back to some of the gaming consoles I used to play on when I was growing up.

[Log]

More of a pamphlet, super brief and doesn't go into detail.