The history of gaming consoles spans more than five decades and is filled with incredible rivalries, innovative technical achievements, and dozens of blockbuster releases. And if you’re interested in learning more about the storied history of video game consoles, consider checking out The Console Chronicles by Lost in Cult. The book just released on October 1, and it’s now seeing its first big discount, bringing the price down to $32 (was $40).
The Console Chronicles is a “comprehensive celebration of home consoles and their iconic games.” You’ll find everything from an in-depth look at console releases and game development to game preservation and rivalries that span multiple generations. It’s a lengthy book at 384 pages, giving you a closer look at the evolution of video games through the years. The book itself is striking, thanks to a colorful cover design and plenty of images throughout its many chapters. This is the lowest price we’ve ever seen for the book--and with the holidays just around the corner, it could make a great gift.
A Handheld History (Hardcover)
$29 (was $40)
Handheld gaming has a history all its own, and Lost in Cult pulls together all the notable moments in A Handheld History. This 272-page hardcover book launched in 2023 and is currently available for one of its lowest prices of the year. Much like The Console Chronicles, A Handheld History takes a comprehensive look at the handheld market, featuring commentary and images for platforms like Game Boy, PSP, GameGear, and other revolutionary hardware. It’s a great companion to The Console Chronicles, so consider snagging it while it’s on sale for $29 (was $40).
Joysticks to Haptics
$40 | Releases June 10, 2025
If you enjoy everything offered by the two above books, you’ll find Joysticks to Haptics available for preorder ahead of its June 10, 2025 release date. This is the third book created by Lost in Cult, and it’ll take a deep dive into retro controllers and various gaming peripherals.
Another way to fill your bookcase is with Bitmap Books. The publisher has been churning out premium compendiums for years, covering everything from N64 and SNES to arcade games and box art. They tend to sell out fast, but many are back in stock at Amazon. Here’s a look at some of our favorites.
Bitmap Book Deals
- PC Engine: The Box Art Collection -- $37 ($40)
- From Ants to Zombies: Six Decades of Video Game Horror -- $38 ($43)
- N64: A Visual Compendium -- $52
- SNES: A Visual Compendium -- $66
- NES: A Visual Compendium -- $59
- The SNES Pixel Book -- $66
- Go Straight: The Ultimate Guide to Beat Em Ups -- $45
- The Art of the Box -- $44
- The King of Fighters: The Ultimate History -- $45
- Commodore 64: A Visual Compendium -- $47
- Metal Slug: The Ultimate History -- $79
- Game Boy: The Box Art Collection -- $61
- NEOGEO: A Visual History -- $56
- The Secret History of Mac Gaming: Expanded Edition -- $66
- Artcade: Book of Classic Arcade Game Art -- $64
- Art of Point-and-Click Adventure Games -- $68
- Commodore Amiga: A Visual Compendium -- $50
- The Games That Weren’t -- $60
- Atari 2600/7800: A Visual Compendium -- $53
