Rating: 
Summary: Amazing book !!! A brazilian reader...
Review: This book is really amazing, a must read for videogames fan or not. Talks its history since the first pinball machines that leads to the videogames industry, from Pong to GTA...
I only don't give 5 stars because it don't have much photos...I really don't want a kid book, but adding photos in a book like this is essential because not all the people knows how the machines looked liked on the past.
This problem can be solved by buying the package listed below with The Illustrated History by Russel Demaria and Johny Wilson...
Thanks Steve L. Kent for this great book and I am waiting the next edition, since the Xbox is only mentioned, without a big cover...
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book that provides a great look at games
Review: This book opened my eyes to how long the game industry has been around and what has happened to it.
As a life long gamer and someone who thought they knew a lot of the history I'd have to say I've really enjoyed having my horizons expanded.
There are some things lacking in the book. It is too US centric, with little regard for Japan and only very occasional mentions of Europe. The book is also a history of the industry and has should perhaps be titled The Ultimate History of the Video Game Industry as there is little description of most of the games. The book could also be expanded in scope to include PC, Amiga, Atari ST and C64 games. These games are a major part of the history of games and to not mention them leaves a big gap in what is otherwise a very comprehensive book.
But, all in all the book is a great read and should contain interesting information for readers casually interested in the games industry and even experts who will no doubt find out something new.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the most interesting books I've ever read
Review: This book was recommended to me by a friend and i must say that I am very glad that I purchased it. I'm not totally finished with it, I'm a little over half way through. I felt that this book was a fairly complete source of videogame history, but after reading other reviews for the book, I must agree that this book did leave a lot out. There's simply too much information to cover in just one book though. It would be ridiculous to try to cover the entire history of videogames in just one year. What I found most impressive about this book is how entertaining it is. I do not enjoy reading at all, I'd rather read a text book than a novel simply because I'll learn more from the textbook. However, I read half of this book, which is about 300 pages in just a couple days, and that time actually consisted of all of my free time. There are so many interesting facts in this book. I love it and would recommend it to anyone who is curious about the history of videogames.
Rating:
Summary: Not Game Over.
Review: This comprehensive book covers the entire history of video games, from the first pinball machines right up to before the launch of the Gamecube and Xbox. Telling the story from the viewpoints of the people who actually made the games happen, this book gives gamers and non-gamers alike a better appreciation of video games and the changes that they have brought to the world, even when they weren't for the better. Strongly recommended. I hope there will be an expansion pack someday.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a history
Review: This is a useful book if you want gossip on the US industry and its people and background.
It is not history, since the author makes no attempt to distinguish text obtained from interviewees from other source detail of events. In fact, there is no historical method at all. There are very few numbers in the book: which is an horrific failing. The author has ignored all published information in the filings of quoted US companies. He has ignored all published detail in old US quoted companies. Most seriously, he has ignored the data for all industry companies outside of the US. He knows nothing of the balance sheets of Nintendo, nor Sega, nor Sony. He knows nothing of Europe or Japan. There is interesting detail on what is easy: legal spats between participants in the US. These are serious failings because, as the author fails to analyse the profit impulse, his narrative fails to understand cause and effect. Does he think these companies are in this for fun? Anything on the second hand market? No. Ultimate? No. History? No. This book is a jolly story, no more.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book on the matter-must read
Review: This is a very engaging read, especially for those who grew up in the 60-70's. A veritable trip down memory lane. Only one can hope that this author or others pick up the topic and write the histories of some of the contemporary players such as Sony as well as the very well know development houses that developed Civilization, Doom, Quake, the RTS genre players, etc. Aside from "Game Over" and "Zap" I think the shelves are kind of bare.
Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate History of Video Games aka The First Quarter
Review: This is a very good book on the entire history of the video game craze up to the present. Lots of good interviews and tid-bits to enjoy. I just wish that I had known that this book is essentially the EXACT SAME BOOK as Kent's other title, "The First Quarter" which was published last year I believe. It even says this on the title page of this book. Since I already have that book and have already read it cover to cover, this book really doesn't add much more to the equation. Still worth reading, though
Rating:
Summary: Can't put it down
Review: This is one of those great books that you just can't put down. Lots of research was done for this, and there are great quotes from some of the most influential people in video game history. What I found most interesting were the accounts of litigation between many folks in the video game world (Tengen vs. Nintendo, Sega vs. Acclaim, etc.) A really, really good read that I highly recommend. Well worth the money! -- Craig
Rating: 
Summary: A history of Atari, plus some other stuff
Review: This is really two books in one. The first half is a detailed history of the rise and fall of Atari. It is chock full of interesting details, and rightly focuses on the fascinating personalities who drove the company that did more than any other to take video games mainstream. The author's years of covering the industry and these people paid dividends in this section. By contrast, the second half of the book, which mainly covers the rise of Sega, Nintendo and Sony, feels rushed and is far less comprehensive. Many part felt like rewrites of news articles, rehashing history rather than bestowing new insights. I don't want to sound too harsh, because this is a good overview, but this section falls short compared with the high standards set by the Atari history. I also have a couple format quibbles. Many direct quotes are offset from the main text in bold. This is distracting. Some quotes simply repeat what had just been stated in regular text. I understand the need to back up assertions with quotes, but some of the comments are bland and don't really add anything. Other sections begin with quotes that are only tangentially related to the ensuing text, or were from speakers who don't make further appearances or whose comments are not elaborated on. Another complaint is the use of excerpted passages from contemporary news articles that don't give the source up front but force the reader to look up footnotes in the back. If a passage is important enough to offset from the main text, the reader should be told right away who wrote it and in what publication. Also, I thought the title was slightly misleading, since this is more a history of the video game *industry* rather than of video games themselves. A subtle distinction perhaps, but while there is background on certain titles, especially from the Atari years, I had expected more on actual games. Overall, the book is informative and interesting though I believe it falls short of its lofty claim of being an "ultimate" history.
Rating:
Summary: Everything you've always wanted to know about video games...
Review: This is the kind of book that I have been waiting for. After reading Kent's last book "FIRST QUARTER" I felt that everything had been covered in the annals of video games...I was wrong. Starting at the birth of the pinball games and the people who bred life into them Kent takes us on a wild ride through memory lane that I did not want to end. I felt myself glued to this book pages after I wanted to put it down and anyone who thought that they knew everything about everything about video games will find themselves scratching their head learning something new [There is no knowledge that is not power] and inciteful about the genre. My hat off to Mr. Steve Kent for giving me a look back to the days when video games were king and quarters were the gateway to another world. If you are a video game addict or just look like one YOU WILL WANT TO READ THIS BOOK!
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