This book covers the basic overview of the history of how we got from Pong to crazy highly detailed graphics and controls with so many buttons I have no idea how to even begin to play Destiny or Overwatch. (Halp.) With anything comic or graphic-based, the artwork is an important consideration when reading. This book reminds me of some old-school, retro style comic illustrations, which is apt for a book that showcases the history of something. Both my husband and son agreed.
This would make a good gift more so for the older video game (and often, at least in our house, also comic book) enthusiast in your life. There are some jokes and references my son sort of got, sort of not. He's 10, so that's understandable. If you yourself find the evolution and stories behind the creation of this mega industry appealing, this is a great way to get a good overview of how it happened, a fun and easy read that actually gives you some knowledge about a subject.
Fun fact, this author has some other graphic novels/comic form 'history of' books-- like the history of beer. Yum. Beer. ;-D
If you really want to get in-depth about it, there are some really detailed books out there about the subject, and about different aspects of the subject (relevance in pop culture, specific companies, etc.) like Console Wars, etc.
*This book was received for free from Blogging for Books for an unbiased review.
