Product Description

Here's a fun-filled trip back in time to the colorful arcades of the 1970s and '80s. More than 600 photos present the dot-munching PAC MAN, bomb-dropping SPACE INVADERS, and other favorites. Nostalgic baby boomers have made arcade video games one of the hottest collectibles around. This comprehensive reference presents photos of every popular video game manufactured, along with some long-forgotten machines and even some you've probably never heard of. You'll also find information about the manufacturers who produced these classic games, a section about video game collectibles, and information on how to locate your favorite games and start your own collection. With many never-before-published photographs, beginning collectors and long-time game enthusiasts alike are sure to enjoy this nostalgic and informative look at the world of arcade video games.

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Product Details

Publisher	Schiffer Publishing
ISBN	0764319256
Format	Hardcover
Author	Bill Kurtz
EAN	9780764319259
Label	Schiffer Publishing
Edition	illustrated edition
Dewey Decimal Number	794.803
Studio	Schiffer Publishing
Number Of Pages	240
Title	The Encyclopedia of Arcade Video Games (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Publication Date	2003-08-30
Manufacturer	Schiffer Publishing

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Customer Reviews

Not worth the expense

Review by Trevor Brown, 2009-09-14

As reported by several others, the photos are dreadful.
There is nothing here that you cannot get in better quality from google images or from a good MAME (Multi Arcade Machine Emulator) frontend.

I chose to return the book.

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Good,but could have been better.

Review by gutsman004, 2009-09-06

Positives:
Has lots of pictures of many games.
Informative articles.
Very in-depth information covering arcade games from 1972-86

Negatives:
A lot of the pictures are grainy or of poor quality.
Seems like the author quit playing games after 1986,as not many games are covered and the info on most of them is pretty shallow.

Overall,it is still a cool book...it just could have been an incredible book had the author not "mailed it in" when covering all games after 1986.

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Great visual reference

Review by Michael Oehlerich, 2009-08-28

This book is a great visual reference for both the collector of video arcade games and people who just want to remember them. No, the pictures are not the greatest all of the time, but a lot of these games are extremely hard to find, let alone in presentable condition for publication. What makes this book stand out is the fact that it doesn't just show and dwell on the common and popular games such as Pac Man, Galaga and Donkey Kong. This is the first book I have found that really shows a wide range of early, unique, rare and obscure games along with the more common games. I use this book like an old Sears Christmas Wish Book, and as a visual reference tool. The descriptions of the games are decent, and they have prices listed after the descriptions. Although, if you are looking for a spot-on price guide, this is not it. Like all price guides, the prices are dated or inaccurate as the market changes from month to month, but it makes for a good rough idea for collectors that are new to the hobby. As a collector, I commend the author on this book and recommend it to anyone with interest in these games.

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Essential reading for Arcade video Collectors, a MUST have!

Review by Jeff S. Cernosky, 2009-05-07

This book is ESSENTIAL reading and a must have for anyone who collects Arcade video machines, or just interested in their history, and a pretty complete synopsis of all the major games put out by each of the major manufacturers, from the 70's all the way to just a few years ago. The book is very well laid out, packed with TONS of history of both the games evolution and of the manufacturers, interviews with the designers, and TONS of pictures. Get the book for the pics if nothing else! Do yourself a favor and pick this up, you won't be disappointed! Thisrally IS an Encyclopedia for pinball machines and collectors. Well worth the money, Highly recommended!

Jeff Scott
Orlando, FL

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Not good.

Review by Rich, 2008-08-09

The picture quality is horrendous throughout, apparently just scanned from old magazines. The pics are superimposed on bland white backrounds which, as there's little text, makes for an unbelievably amateurish looking endevour.
I just have to return this one.

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