Game On!

November 1, 2016

Gr 4 Up-This zippy primer on video game development takes readers from the arcades of the 1970s to Minecraft and the future of gaming. Short, chronological chapters introduce iconic games that represent innovations in design, story, and player experience. The well-told origin tales are a fantastic mash-up of pop and gaming culture and reveal the dedication and creativity of industry leaders such as Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of Donkey Kong and Super Mario Bros. Each chapter builds on the last, tracing the development of gaming technology, including apps. Sectioning the information into easily digestible chapters, factoids, and lists and using a conversational tone, the book is accessible, even though the content is quite extensive. Visuals include screenshots and photos of consoles and controllers. VERDICT This satisfyingly thorough and worthy addition to any collection is sure to please hard-core gamers and newbies alike.-Marian McLeod, Convent of the Sacred Heart, Greenwich, CT

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2016
Grades 6-9 This lengthy love letter comes from a self-professed video game addict. Thirty-nine breezy, irreverent chapters celebrate individual games, starting back at the dawn of gaming (the 1970s had Pong and Space Invaders) and then working chronologically through all the greats: John Madden Football, Super Mario, Mortal Combat, Tomb Raider, Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero, Angry Birds, and onward. Readers are treated to such diverse tidbits as step-by-step playing descriptions (accompanied by cheeky, ongoing commentary), trials and failures, public reception and sales, cheat codes and Easter eggs, and continuing cultural influences (Pokemon's Pikachu has his own balloon in Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade). Articles highlight creative innovations showing the increasing sophistication of video games as they've evolved, including predictions for the future (virtual reality, educational applications, badges and points). Sidebars and inserts offer top 10 lists and general observations. Unabashedly enthusiastic, author Hansen also provides tips on how to evaluate games for personal enjoyment. The length and heft might deter some browsers, but true gamers will be delighted.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2017
A lively, well-written, and detail-oriented narrative on the history, development, and culture of video games. Organized chronologically--from Pong (1972) to Overwatch (2016)--this survey demonstrates an evolution of game sophistication. Packaged in a zingy design with screenshots and trivia sidebars, this is an effective time capsule for young readers whose daily lives are permeated by the influential pop-culture medium. Reading list, websites.

(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)