Arcade Adventures tells the story of video game arcades, from the pioneering technology of the 1970s and the golden age of the 1980s, to the modern experiences of today.

Arcades were a true pioneer of gaming, existing long before consoles were played in homes around the world. Arcade Adventures celebrates the history of these beloved spaces, from the enduring playability of early experiences such as Pong and Space Invaders, to the skill-based play of Donkey Kong and platformers that shaped the journey of gaming.

The world of arcades existed long before consoles were played in homes around the world. Arcade Adventures celebrates the history of these beloved spaces, from the enduring playability of early experiences such as Pong and Space Invaders, to the skill-based button pressing of Donkey Kong and other platformers that shaped the journey of gaming.

• Celebrate the history of arcades, from the enduring playability of Pong and Space Invaders to the skill of Donkey Kong and other platformers.
• Featuring cultural analysis of each decade's trends and innovations, and the architects behind them.
• Discover the arcade icons, which celebrates the games that shaped the gaming lives of the masses (Dragon's Lair, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Time Crisis, House of the Dead, Virtua Striker 2)
• Go on a retrospective journey of the cabinets that pushed boundaries and introduced immersive new trends, such as rhythm pads, racing wheels and light gun gaming.
• Accompanied by exclusive photography that showcases the most memorable and revered arcade cabinets of the past 55 years.
• Explore the ongoing popularity of arcades and look to the future to see where the medium could go from here.

A unique visual history of arcade gaming, celebrating its greatest icons and impact on the world of gaming. From indie publisher Lost In Cult.

About the Author

Lost In Cult is an independent book publisher and design studio based in the United Kingdom dedicated to celebrating video games as a culturally significant art form. Lost In Cult puts the industry's best writers and artists in conversation with the medium's most important works and creators to examine their rich, often-overlooked history. With a dual emphasis on long-form prose and bespoke artwork, Lost In Cult challenges curiously-minded games enthusiasts to consider the field differently, exploring themes and ideas which conceptualise both perennial classics and overlooked gems through contemporary lenses.

Reviews

Praise for Lost in Cult's A Handheld History:

"It would make a welcome addition to any old-school handheld fan's bookshelf or coffee table." - Gamespot

"The book offers plenty of visual stimuli. From vintage poster design and retro illustrations to satisfying breakdowns of console hardware, there is something inspiring for everyone." - Creative Review

"Each piece encapsulates the feelings of joy and playfulness that come with gaming, whether it's trading Pokemon with your mates on the school bus or exploring vast worlds on a tiny matrix screen from the sanctuary of your bed." - Thumbsticks

"As someone who grew up near-exclusively on handheld gaming, seeing the personal stories, anecdotes and a timeline of the medium played out in one unique and weighty book was enough to bring a tear to my eye." - GGRecon

"This book lays out a timeline of handheld gaming since the beginning, with vibrant displays showcasing each device and their impact. The release serves not only as a collection of history, but also a study of aesthetics over the years." - Screenrant

"A Handheld History offers a new and personalised perspective on gaming history, and opens up significantly more space for intellectual conversations surrounding gaming in the traditional sphere." - TheGamer

Book Information
ISBN 9780008755454
Author Lost in Cult
Format Hardback
Page Count 240
Imprint Expanse
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Weight(grams) 1040g
Dimensions(mm) 252mm * 195mm * 28mm