Topic: Reading Assignment

[UncleBob]

Well, we have a few months (maybe!) before the Wii is released here in the states.  Those of you in EU and AU have even longer.

So here's a reading assignment.

I recently got a copy of a book from my local library called "Game Over: How Nintendo Zapped an American Industry, Captured Your Dollars, and Enslaved Your Children" by one, David Sheff.

Now, from that title, you are probably expecting some Jack Thompson-esque slam of Nintendo.  Now, while I'm only in the beginning part of the book, I can say that it hardly seems that way - in fact, it seems to be a fairly well told history of our beloved N - from making playing cards and running "Love Hotels" through the development of the Super Nintendo.

Why the Super Nintendo?  Because this book was released back in 1993.  But it still seems to be a very darn good read.  In fact, (and again, I'm just at the very beginning of the book), stuff in here regarding the creation of the Famicom seems to pretty well go hand-in-hand with what we're hearing about the development of the Wii:

Quote
All the machines currently on the market [...] were selling for 30,000 to 50,000 yen ($200 to $350).  Yamauchi set a goal of 9,800 yen, less than $75.  At the same time, the system had to do what other systems, whether Japanese or American, could do, but more and better.

Seriously, if I tweaked the prices in that above quote and replaced Yamauchi's name, none of you would have known it wasn't reffering to the Wii...

Anywhoo, check out this book...  It really seems to be almost a how-to guide for the launch/marketing of the Wii...

[mantidor]

Its probably the most famous book on the history of Nintendo, Ive seen it quoted a thousand times, I wish I could get a copy but is nowhere to be found. Theres an extension of the book including the playstation/N64 era if Im not mistaken.

[KnowsNothing]

I tried to read it but got extremely bored.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

It should be a television special.  Less words to read.

[KnowsNothing]

I agree.  Plus it's like whoever wrote it skipped all the exciting parts like when Yamauchi fought off the ghosts of former Yakuza leaders with his bare hands.  

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

Isn't Red Steel based on his life story?

[UncleBob]

errr...

[ShyGuy]

Up yer nose wit a rubba hose, teach!

[wandering]

Quote
Why the Super Nintendo? Because this book was released back in 1993.

I'm pretty sure it has since been updated with exciting new information.

I actually got a copy as a Christmas present, but haven't read it yet. I'll get around to it eventually.

[Nick DiMola]

Another great book on videogames is The Ultimate History of Videogames. It was used as a textbook in one of the classes offered at RIT(my college). Interesting read with a large focus on the beginning of videogames. It doesn't have any info on this current generation but talked about a bunch of things I had never known before.

[KirbySStar]

I bunch of us got Game Over bundled with our GameCubes at launch if you preordered one from EB.  Now, that was a great preorder.  Cube, extra controller, memory card 59, Rogue Squadron II Rogue Leader, Luigi's Mansion, Wave Race Blue Storm, and Game Over.  I don't even recall what I paid but it was totally worth it.

[ThePerm]

i bout myself a copy, and the bought berto2k a copy and sent it to him