Recommended Books & Reading

Interested in going deeper into arcade history?

Below you can find a curated selection of the best arcade and pinball history books, covering the Golden Age of arcades, iconic games, and the designers and studios behind them. Each title listed is regularly referenced by Bitvint when researching timelines, deep dives, and long-form articles, reflecting the sources we rely on to document arcade and pinball history accurately.

Have a must-read book you think belongs here?
Contact us at info@bitvint.com if you would like to suggest an addition.

A cornerstone work for anyone serious about video game history.
A cornerstone work for anyone serious about video game history. Sale price€0,00
The complete visual and historical story behind Pac-Man’s global impact.
The complete visual and historical story behind Pac-Man’s global impact. Sale price€0,00
A firsthand look at how Nintendo’s most admired president thought and led.
A firsthand look at how Nintendo’s most admired president thought and led. Sale price€0,00
The design philosophy behind arcade gaming’s most relentless classics.
The design philosophy behind arcade gaming’s most relentless classics. Sale price€0,00
A timeless celebration of Atari’s games, art, and creative legacy.
A timeless celebration of Atari’s games, art, and creative legacy. Sale price€0,00
A beautifully curated journey through five decades of game consoles.
A beautifully curated journey through five decades of game consoles. Sale price€0,00
A richly told origin story of gaming’s fastest growing medium.
A richly told origin story of gaming’s fastest growing medium. Sale price€0,00
Exploring the arcade games that shaped Nintendo’s early success.
Exploring the arcade games that shaped Nintendo’s early success. Sale price€0,00
An insider’s tour through the golden age of arcade game development.
An insider’s tour through the golden age of arcade game development. Sale price€0,00
A vivid journey through the golden age and collapse of coin-op arcades.
A vivid journey through the golden age and collapse of coin-op arcades. Sale price€0,00
A candid leadership playbook from the man who reshaped Nintendo’s modern era.
A candid leadership playbook from the man who reshaped Nintendo’s modern era. Sale price€0,00
The complete rise of the company that defined pinball and arcade gaming.
The complete rise of the company that defined pinball and arcade gaming. Sale price€0,00
A powerful investigation into instability at the heart of video game development.
A powerful investigation into instability at the heart of video game development. Sale price€0,00
A legendary battle that reshaped the video game industry.
A legendary battle that reshaped the video game industry. Sale price€0,00
The complete story behind one of arcade gaming’s most beloved run and gun series.
The complete story behind one of arcade gaming’s most beloved run and gun series. Sale price€0,00
How two visionaries built Doom and changed the future of gaming.
How two visionaries built Doom and changed the future of gaming. Sale price€0,00
The definitive visual and historical guide to SNK’s legendary fighting series.
The definitive visual and historical guide to SNK’s legendary fighting series. Sale price€0,00
An unfiltered look at the chaos, pressure, and passion behind modern games.
An unfiltered look at the chaos, pressure, and passion behind modern games. Sale price€0,00
The complete illustrated history of pinball and why it still matters.
The complete illustrated history of pinball and why it still matters. Sale price€0,00
Exploring the visual legacy of the console that was arcade perfect at home.
Exploring the visual legacy of the console that was arcade perfect at home. Sale price€0,00
A deep look at Shigeru Miyamoto’s lasting influence on video game design.
A deep look at Shigeru Miyamoto’s lasting influence on video game design. Sale price€0,00
How Mario helped Nintendo break through and conquer the American market.
How Mario helped Nintendo break through and conquer the American market. Sale price€0,00