100 Best Video Games Books of All Time (Updated for 2026)

1

Ready Player One

Ernest Cline

5.0

The bestselling cult classic--soon to be a major motion picture directed by Steven Spielberg.

At once wildly original and stuffed with irresistible nostalgia, READY PLAYER ONE is a spectacularly genre-busting, ambitious, and charming debut--part quest novel, part love story, and part virtual space opera set in a universe where spell-slinging mages battle giant Japanese robots, entire planets are in

Recommended by Steve Jurvetson, Brian Armstrong, Astro Teller, and 5 others.

Steve Jurvetson

A gift to all of my Apple II programming buddies from high school and Dungeons & Dragons comrades. [source]

Astro Teller

So much fun. [source]

Brian Burkhart

The last novel I read was Ernest Cline’s “Ready Player One: A Novel,” because my buddy Mike Maddock said, “You gotta read this book!” And I tore it up. I read the whole book in less than two days. It’s something I wish everyone, including myself, did more of. [source]

2

Blood, Sweat, and Pixels: The Triumphant, Turbulent Stories Behind How Video Games Are Made

Jason Schreier

4.9

Preview Summary

Developing video games—hero's journey or fool's errand? The creative and technical logistics that go into building today's hottest games can be more harrowing and complex than the games themselves, often seeming like an endless maze or a bottomless abyss. In Blood, Sweat, and Pixels, Jason Schreier takes readers on a fascinating odyssey behind the scenes of video game development, where the creato

Recommended by Aaron Greenberg, Anoop Anthony, and Cliff Bleszinski.

Aaron Greenberg

@vickyfloresn @kingdiarmuid Great book! [source]

Anoop Anthony

A journalistic masterpiece about the grueling production journeys of some of today's most successful video games. Having worked in video game development for about three years, I know that making video games is one of the hardest jobs in the world. Video games are fun when you play them, but creating AAA titles involves long hard hours, vast budgets, and herculean team efforts. Video game production brings together disparate creative disciplines like no other industry — Coding, AI, Graphics, Music, Sound, Storytelling & Narrative. [source]

Cliff Bleszinski

@dizcrowell Book is great. @jasonschreier [source]

3

Masters of Doom: How Two Guys Created an Empire and Transformed Pop Culture

David Kushner

4.5

Masters of Doom is the amazing true story of the Lennon and McCartney of video games: John Carmack and John Romero. Together, they ruled big business. They transformed popular culture. And they provoked a national controversy. More than anything, they lived a unique and rollicking American Dream, escaping the broken homes of their youth to produce the most notoriously successful game franchises in

Recommended by Alexis Ohanian, Chris Oliver, Duncan Jones, and 2 others.

Alexis Ohanian

Co-founder/Reddit

Made my co-founder and I think, 'Well, if these guys could do it, why can’t we?' [source]

Chris Oliver

Masters of Doom. Many of us started our careers in programming because we wanted to make games. This book covers the story of John Romero and John Carmack as they created ID software making Doom, Quake, and many other games we grew up playing as kids. It's truly inspiring for any software developer. [source]

Duncan Jones

@dannyodwyer I cant wait to see this. The book is fascinating, and I remember watching with bulging fan-boy eyes during those halcyon days! [source]

4

The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia

Patrick Thorpe

4.5

Dark Horse Books and Nintendo team up to bring you The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia, containing an unparalleled collection of historical information on The Legend of Zelda franchise. This handsome hardcover contains never-before-seen concept art, the full history of Hyrule, the official chronology of the games, and much more! Starting with an insightful introduction by the legendary producer a

5

The Last Wish: Introducing the Witcher (The Witcher, #0.5)

Andrzej Sapkowski

4.4

A special collector's edition of the New York Times bestselling novel that inspired the international hit video game: The Witcher.

Geralt of Rivia is a witcher. A cunning sorcerer. A merciless assassin.

And a cold-blooded killer.

His sole purpose: to destroy the monsters that plague the world.

But not everything monstrous-looking is evil and not everything fair is good. . . and in every fairy tale t

Recommended by Rachel Miner.

Rachel Miner

@tenoko1 @audible_com Feel ill equipped to answer as I have not read most of these, I am currently on book 4 of the Witcher series, I did enjoy book 1, I like the world and found some of the commentary of magic especially to be inspired, but it is flawed, you have to be forgiving to enjoy the journey [source]

6

Theory of Fun for Game Design

Raph Koster

4.4

Preview Summary

Now in full color, the 10th anniversary edition of this classic book packs more insight into what it means to design games for fun. Theory of Fun for Game Design challenges and inspires game designers as well as game enthusiasts looking for products and experiences that are truly fun and entertaining.

The book discusses the impact of designing in a multidimensional landscape, where computer science

Recommended by Bret Victor, Jesper Bylund, and Tom Chatfield.

Jesper Bylund

One of the most important books I’ve ever read is A Theory of Fun by Raph Koster. It creatively describes how “fun” is created and what it is. Which might sound trivial, but as a designer and developer of tools, this is by far the most important design principle I’ve discovered. Basically, why would you do anything if it wasn’t fun? Thankfully, this book describes how to make anything fun.

Tom Chatfield

Today we are seeing a new form of it, but in order to really understand it properly, we need to begin with this really deep evolutionary hold that games have on us. [source]

Cover unavailable

7

The Ultimate History of Video Games: From Pong to Pokemon - The Story Behind the Craze That Touched Our Lives and Changed the World

Steven L. Kent

4.4

Inside the Games You Grew Up with but Never Forgot
With all the whiz, bang, pop, and shimmer of a glowing arcade. The Ultimate History of Video Games reveals everything you ever wanted to know and more about the unforgettable games that changed the world, the visionaries who made them, and the fanatics who played them. From the arcade to television and from the PC to the handheld device, video game

Cover unavailable

8

Console Wars: Sega, Nintendo, and the Battle that Defined a Generation

Blake J. Harris

4.4

"A mesmerizing, behind-the-scenes business thriller that chronicles how Sega, a small, scrappy gaming company led by an unlikely visionary and a team of rebels, took on the juggernaut Nintendo and revolutionized the videogame industry--in development as a feature film from Sony PicturesIn 1990, Nintendo had a virtual monopoly on the videogame industry. Sega, on the other hand, was just a faltering

Cover unavailable

9

Halo: The Fall of Reach

Eric Nylund

4.3

As the bloody Human-Covenant War rages on Halo, the fate of humankind may rest with one warrior, the lone SPARTAN survivor of another legendary battle... the desperate, take-no-prisoners struggle that led humanity to Halo--the fall of the planet Reach. Now, brought to life for the first time, here is the full story of that glorious, doomed conflict.

While the brutal Covenant juggernaut sweeps inexo

10

Ender's Game

Orson Scott Card

4.3

Once again, Earth is under attack. An alien species is poised for a final assault. The survival of humanity depends on a military genius who can defeat the aliens. But who?

Ender Wiggin. Brilliant. Ruthless. Cunning. A tactical and strategic master. And a child.

Recruited for military training by the world government, Ender's childhood ends the moment he enters his new home: Battle School. Among the

Recommended by Mark Zuckerberg, Ev Williams, Timothy Ferriss, and 5 others.

Mark Zuckerberg

Founder/Facebook

Oh, it’s not a favorite book or anything like that, I just added it because I liked it. I don’t think there’s any real significance to the fact that it’s listed there and other books aren’t. [source]

Timothy Ferriss

Author & Entrepreneur

At one point, this was the only book listed on Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook page. If it’s good enough to be the sole selection of the founder of Facebook, maybe there’s something to it. The plot: In anticipation of another attack from a hostile alien race, the search for a brilliant military strategist has led to Ender Wiggin. In space combat school, Ender stands out, demonstrating exceptional leadership and unconventional strategy. But it is lonely at the top for Ender, as he struggles with relentless pressure from his instructors. Through Ender’s journey, you’ll learn how to capitalize on your strengths and those of your teammates, as well as exploit your adversaries’ weaknesses. Ender is a futuristic Level 5 Leader we can all learn from. [source]

Travis Kalanick

About a kid who is trained by the military to play video games … But he realizes at the end that the video games he was playing were an actual war. [source]

11

The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses, Second Edition

Jesse Schell

4.3

Good game design happens when you view your game from as many perspectives as possible. Written by one of the world's top game designers, The Art of Game Design presents 100 plus sets of questions, or different lenses, for viewing a game�s design, encompassing diverse fields such as psychology, architecture, music, visual design, film, software engineering, theme park design, mathematics, puzzle d

Recommended by Ryan Hoover and Katherine Isbister.

Ryan Hoover

Although it's about gaming, the learnings and tactics in the book can be applied to any product. It's really about psychology and how people think. [source]

Katherine Isbister

This book is written by a very respected game design practitioner and academic, and it is one of the classics. [source]

Cover unavailable

12

BioShock: Rapture

John Shirley, Jeffrey Kafer, et al

4.3

It's the end of World War II. FDR's New Deal has redefined American politics. Taxes are at an all-time high. The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki has brought a fear of total annihilation. The rise of secret government agencies and sanctions on business has many watching their backs. America's sense of freedom is diminishing . . . and many are desperate to take that freedom back.

Among them is a gr

13

The Legend of Zelda: Art & Artifacts

Nintendo

4.3

The Legend of Zelda(TM) Art and Artifacts contains over four hundred pages of fully realized illustrations from the entire thirty-year history of The Legend of Zelda(TM) including artwork from the upcoming The Legend of Zelda(TM) Breath of the Wild! Every masterwork is printed on high-quality paper in an oversized format so you can immerse yourself in the fine details of each piece. This book incl

Cover unavailable

14

The Stolen Throne (Dragon Age, #1)

David Gaider

4.3

The thrilling prequel to Dragon Age: Origins, the hit role-playing video game from award-winning developer BioWare!

Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne

After his mother, the beloved Rebel Queen, is betrayed and murdered by her own faithless lords, young Maric becomes the leader of a rebel army attempting to free his nation from the control of a foreign tyrant.

His countrymen live in fear; his commanders

15

Blood of Elves (The Witcher, #1)

Andrzej Sapkowski

4.3

For more than a hundred years humans, dwarves, gnomes and elves lived together in relative peace. But times have changed, the uneasy peace is over and now the races once again fight each other - and themselves: Dwarves are killing their kinsmen, and elves are murdering humans and elves, at least those elves who are friendly to humans... Into this tumultuous time is born a child for whom the witche

Recommended by Emanuela Zaccone.

Emanuela Zaccone

@denvercoder @CDPROJEKTRED @Xbox @XboxAmbassadors I can't stop! #RPG is my favorite genre and I love #TheWitcher since the first page of the first book. I played all the games of the series, but THIS ONE...is like the best game I've ever played 🤩🎮❤️ [source]

Cover unavailable

16

Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World

Jane McGonigal

4.2

More than 31 million people in the UK are gamers. The average young person in the UK will spend 10,000 hours gaming by the age of twenty-one. What's causing this mass exodus? According to world-renowned game designer Jane McGonigal the answer is simple: videogames are fulfilling genuine human needs. Drawing on positive psychology, cognitive science and sociology, Reality is Broken shows how game d

Recommended by Bogdana Butnar and Xi-Wei Yeo.

Bogdana Butnar

I thought I might put my money where my mouth is. I keep whining that young people are not in touch with some essential books on advertising that have helped me shape the way I practise my trade today, but I never did anything about it. So I am starting here the ultimate books to read list. I will add to it as I get suggestions and as more good books get written. [source]

Xi-Wei Yeo

If you’re into gamification, like myself and my team, I highly, highly recommend Reality is Broken, by Jane McGonigal, Actionable Gamification by Yu-Kai Chou, and Gamify: How Gamification Motivates People to do Extraordinary Things, by Biran Birke. Jane McGonigal is essentially the Martha Stewart of gamification (sans prison sentence), and Yu-Kai Chou is doing great things in the field, pioneering great frameworks like the Octalysis. Can’t wait to get more of their books. [source]

Cover unavailable

17

Mass Effect: Revelation (Mass Effect, #1)

Drew Karpyshyn

4.2

Every advanced society in the galaxy relies on the technology of the Protheans, an ancient species that vanished fifty thousand years ago. After discovering a cache of Prothean technology on Mars in 2148, humanity is spreading to the stars; the newest interstellar species, struggling to carve out its place in the greater galactic community.

On the edge of colonized space, ship commander and Allia

Cover unavailable

18

Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter

Tom Bissell

4.2

Tom Bissell is a prizewinning writer who published three widely acclaimed books before the age of thirty-four. He is also an obsessive gamer who has spent untold hours in front of his various video game consoles, playing titles such as Far Cry 2, Left 4 Dead, BioShock, and Oblivion for, literally, days. If you are reading this flap copy, the same thing can probably be said of you, or of someone yo

Cover unavailable

19

Asunder (Dragon Age, #3)

David Gaider

4.2

A mystical killer stalks the halls of the White Spire, the heart of templar power in the mighty Orlesian Empire. To prove his innocence, Rhys reluctantly embarks on a journey into the western wastelands that will not only reveal much more than he bargained for but change the fate of his fellow mages forever.

Cover unavailable

20

In Real Life

Cory Doctorow, Jen Wang

4.2

Anda loves Coarsegold Online, the massively-multiplayer role-playing game where she spends most of her free time. It's a place where she can be a leader, a fighter, a hero. It's a place where she can meet people from all over the world, and make friends.

But things become a lot more complicated when Anda befriends a gold farmer--a poor Chinese kid whose avatar in the game illegally collects valuab

Cover unavailable

21

The Calling (Dragon Age, #2)

David Gaider

4.2

This is another thrilling prequel to "Dragon Age: Origins", the hit role-playing video game from Bioware! King Maric has allowed the legendary Grey Wardens to return to Fereden. One of their own has aligned himself with their ancient enemy, the monstrous darkspawn. Maric agrees to lead the Grey Wardens, chasing after a deadly secret that threatens to destroy the Grey Wardens and the kingdom.

Cover unavailable

22

Halo: First Strike

Eric Nylund

4.2

The Human-Covenant war rages on as the alien juggernaut sweeps inexorably toward its final goal: destruction of all human life!

Halo has been destroyed, and the threat it posed to sentient life, neutralized. But victory has come at a terrible cost for the UNSC. Thousands of valiant soldiers fell in the battle to prevent the alien construct from falling into the enemy’s clutches.

Now, everything d

23

Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America

Jeff Ryan

4.2

The story of Nintendo's rise and the beloved icon who made it possible.

Nintendo has continually set the standard for video-game innovation in America, starting in 1981 with a plucky hero who jumped over barrels to save a girl from an ape.

The saga of Mario, the portly plumber who became the most successful franchise in the history of gaming, has plot twists worthy of a video game. Jeff Ryan sha

Cover unavailable

24

Warcross (Warcross, #1)

Marie L

4.2

For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty hunting world is a c

Cover unavailable

25

Armada

Ernest Cline

4.2

Zack Lightman has spent his life dreaming. Dreaming that the real world could be a little more like the countless science-fiction books, movies, and videogames he’s spent his life consuming. Dreaming that one day, some fantastic, world-altering event will shatter the monotony of his humdrum existence and whisk him off on some grand space-faring adventure.

But hey, there’s nothing wrong with a littl

Cover unavailable

26

Mass Effect: Ascension (Mass Effect, #2)

Drew Karpyshyn

4.2

When they vanished fifty thousand years ago, the Protheans left their advanced technology scattered throughout the galaxy. The chance discovery of a Prothean cache on Mars allows humanity to join those already reaping the rewards of the ancient high-tech wizardry. But for one rogue militia, the goal is not participation but domination. Scientist Kahlee Sanders has left the Systems Alliance for the

Cover unavailable

27

The Masked Empire (Dragon Age, #4)

Patrick Weekes, Gildart Jackson, et al

4.2

Empress Celene of Orlais rose to the throne of the most powerful nation in Thedas through wisdom, wit, and ruthless manipulation. Now, the empire she has guided into an age of enlightenment is threatened from within by imminent war between the templars and the mages, even as rebellion stirs among the downtrodden elves To save Orlais, Celene must keep her hold on the throne by any means necessary.

F

Cover unavailable

28

Replay: The History of Video Games

Tristan Donovan

4.2

A riveting account of the strange birth and remarkable evolution of the most important development in entertainment since television, Replay is the ultimate history of video games. Based on extensive research and over 140 exclusive interviews with key movers and shakers from gaming's past, Replay tells the sensational story of how the creative vision of game designers gave rise to one of the world

Cover unavailable

29

Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life

Bryan Lee O'Malley

4.2

Scott Pilgrim is dating a high schooler, but when Ramona Flowers starts skating through his brain, everything changes. While Scott pursues Ramona, someone else has their sights set on Scott: HER SEVEN EVIL EX-BOYFRIENDS. If he wants this relationship to work, he needs to defeat them all--but even that herculean task might not be enough! Bryan Lee O'Malley's epic graphic novel series returns in thi

Cover unavailable

30

What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy

James Paul Gee

4.2

James Paul Gee begins his classic book with "I want to talk about video games--yes, even violent video games--and say some positive things about them." With this simple but explosive statement, one of America's most well-respected educators looks seriously at the good that can come from playing video games. In this revised edition, new games like World of WarCraft and Half Life 2 are evaluated and

Recommended by Katherine Isbister.

Katherine Isbister

This book is probably the book that launched the tremendous interest in games for learning. [source]

Cover unavailable

31

Halo: Ghosts of Onyx

Eric Nylund

4.2

Continuing the saga of the award-winning Xbox(TM) game!

The Spartan-II program has gone public. Tales of super-soldiers fending off thousands of Covenant attacks have become the stuff of legend.
But just how many Spartans are left?
While the Master Chief defends a besieged Earth, and the myriad factions of the Covenant continue their crusade to eliminate humanity, an ultrasecret cell of the Office o

Cover unavailable

32

Dragon Age: The World of Thedas Volume 1

Various, David Gaider

4.2

For Dragon Age newcomers, this comprehensive volume brings you up to speed on everything you need to know about the regions, religions, monsters, magic, and more! For dedicated fans, never before have the secrets of BioWare's epic fantasy been revealed so completely and so compellingly!

* Filled with never-before-seen art by the creators of the games!

* New Dragon Age game coming in 2013!

* From t

Cover unavailable

33

The Art of the Mass Effect Universe

Casey Husdon, Various

4.2

Featuring concept art and commentary by BioWare on the games' characters, locations, vehicles, weapons, and more, "The Art of the Mass Effect Universe" is the most complete companion available to gaming's most compelling series.

34

Sword of Destiny (The Witcher, #0.75)

Andrzej Sapkowski

4.2

The Witcher returns in this action-packed sequel to The Last Wish, in the series that inspired The Witcher video games.

Geralt is a witcher, a man whose magic powers, enhanced by long training and a mysterious elixir, have made him a brilliant fighter and a merciless assassin. Yet he is no ordinary murderer: his targets are the multifarious monsters and vile fiends that ravage the land and attack t

Cover unavailable

35

Mass Effect: Retribution (Mass Effect, #3)

Drew Karpyshyn

4.2

Humanity has reached the stars, joining the vast galactic community of alien species. But beyond the fringes of explored space lurk the Reapers, a race of sentient starships bent on “harvesting” the galaxy’s organic species for their own dark purpose.

The Illusive Man, leader of the pro-human black ops group Cerberus, is one of the few who know the truth about the Reapers. To ensure humanity’s surv

36

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — Creating a Champion

Nintendo

4.2

This oversized hardcover is the ultimate companion to the award-winning video game The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and includes material from its DLC packs. Witness the making of a champion!

This book features:

• Nearly 50 pages of sketches and official illustrations from Takumi Wada

• 296 Pages of design artwork and commentary about the making of the game from creators

• 55 Page historical

Cover unavailable

37

Scott Pilgrim, Vol. 5: Scott Pilgrim vs. the Universe

Bryan Lee O'Malley

4.2

Scott Pilgrim just turned 24, and things couldn't possibly be better! This means things are about to get infinitely worse! Suddenly, TWO of Ramona's evil ex-boyfriends are in town, and they're playing dirty. His band is in turmoil, and his own exes aren't making things any easier. And what's up with Ramona, anyway? She's been acting kinda weird ever since they moved in together! Scott's precious l

Cover unavailable

38

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Part 1 (Zelda, #1)

Akira Himekawa

4.1

In the mystical land of Hyrule, three spiritual stones hold the key to the Triforce, and whoever holds them will control the world! A boy named Link sets out on a quest to deliver the Emerald, the spiritual stone of the Forest, to Zelda, Princess of the land of Hyrule. The journey will be long and perilous, and Link will need all his skill and courage to defeat evil. The battle for Hyrule and the

39

The Legend of Zelda: Encyclopedia

Nintendo

4.1

This 320-page book is an exhaustive guide to The Legend of Zelda from the original The Legend of Zelda to Twilight Princess HD.

A comprehensive collection of enemies and items, potions to poes, an expansion of the lore touched upon in Hyrule Historia, concept art, screencaps, maps, main characters and how they relate, languages, and much, much more, including an exclusive interview with Series Prod

Cover unavailable

40

The Art of Dragon Age: Inquisition

Bioware

4.1

The next generation of fantasy is here! Go behind the scenes of Dragon Age: Inquisition, the most ambitious game ever created by legendary developer BioWare!

Featuring hundreds of never-before-seen artworks and captions from the developers themselves, this volume offers revealing insight into the inspiration and creation of every facet of Dragon Age: Inquisition, from the heroes, to the wondrous we

Cover unavailable

41

Scott Pilgrim, Vol. 6: Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour

Bryan Lee O'Malley

4.1

It's finally here! Six years and almost one-thousand pages have all led to this epic finale! With six of Ramona's seven evil exes dispatched, it should be time for Scott Pilgrim to face Gideon Graves, the biggest and baddest of her former beaus. But didn't Ramona take off at the end of Book 5? Shouldn't that let Scott off the hook? Maybe it should, maybe it shouldn't, but one thing is for certain—

Cover unavailable

42

The Umbrella Conspiracy (Resident Evil, #1)

S.D. Perry

4.1

Raccoon City: a remote mountain community suddenly besieged by a rash of grisly murders encroaching upon it from the surrounding forest. Bizarre reports start to spread, describing attacks from vicious creatures, some human... some not. Victims are apparently eaten.

At the epicenter of these deaths is a dark, secluded mansion belonging to the mysterious Umbrella Corporation. For years umbrella has

Cover unavailable

43

Scott Pilgrim, Volume 4: Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together

Bryan Lee O'Malley

4.1

That’s right, folks! Put down the video game controller! Skip that rehearsal for your band! Make whatever sacrifices you must to those comic gods you hold so dear! Just make sure you’re ready because Bryan Lee O’Malley and SCOTT PILGRIM are back! Well, a couple months have passed since the last time we caught up with our intrepid hero, but what can change in a few short months? Well, not much has.

Cover unavailable

44

Scott Pilgrim, Volume 2: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Bryan Lee O'Malley

4.1

Does Scott and Ramona's burgeoning relationship have a future? Isn't Scott still supposedly dating Knives Chau? Who is Ramona's second evil ex-boyfriend, and why is he in Toronto? Who are The Clash At Demonhead, and what kind of bizarre art-punky music do they play? Who's their hot girl keyboardist, and what is Scott's relation to her? Why is The Clash At Demonhead Knives Chau's new favourite band

Cover unavailable

45

Assassin's Creed: Renaissance (Assassin's Creed, #1)

Oliver Bowden

4.1

Betrayed by the ruling families of Italy, a young man embarks upon an epic quest for vengeance. To eradicate corruption and restore his family's honour, he will learn the art of the assassins. To his allies, Ezio will become a force for change, fighting for freedom and justice. To his enemies, he will become a threat.

Cover unavailable

46

Dragon Age: The World of Thedas Volume 2

Various

4.1

BioWare's newest game Dragon Age: Inquisition will expand the universe of their epic series in profound ways. This comprehensive book of lore features exclusive art and information, exploring every corner of this dark fantasy masterpiece!
Newcomers will appreciate how this volume covers everything they need to know about the world and characters of these smash-hit games! Dedicated fans will revel i

Cover unavailable

47

You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost)

Felicia Day, Joss Whedon

4.1

From online entertainment mogul, actress, and “queen of the geeks” Felicia Day, a funny, quirky, and inspiring memoir about her unusual upbringing, her rise to Internet-stardom, and embracing her individuality to find success in Hollywood.

The Internet isn’t all cat videos. There’s also Felicia Day—violinist, filmmaker, Internet entrepreneur, compulsive gamer, hoagie specialist, and former lonely h

Recommended by Simon Cocking.

Simon Cocking

A great book for millennials and beyond. Review of You're Never Weird On The Internet by @feliciaday https://t.co/f8zMiInP0Z @SimonCocking @Irish_TechNews @joss https://t.co/OdLSGIlbjD [source]

Cover unavailable

48

Game Over, Press Start to Continue: How Nintendo Conquered the World

David Sheff, Andy Eddy

4.1

49

Game On!: Video Game History from Pong and Pac-Man to Mario, Minecraft, and More

Dustin Hansen

4.1

Veteran video game designer Dustin Hansen takes YA readers on a fun and fascinating trip through the brief but intensely innovative history of video games.

Find out about the fast and furious growth and evolution of video games (including how they are quickly taking over the world!) by looking at some of the most popular, innovative, and influential games ever, from Pong, the very first arcade gam

Cover unavailable

50

Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (Assassin's Creed, #2)

Oliver Bowden

4.1

I will journey to the black heart of a corrupt empire to root out my foes. But Rome wasn't built in a day and it won't be restored by a lone assassin. I am Ezio Auditore da Firenze. This is my Brotherhood...

Rome, once mighty, lies in ruins. The city swarms with suffering and degradation, her citizens living in the shadow of the ruthless Borgia family. Only one man can free the people from the Bo

Cover unavailable

51

Last Flight (Dragon Age #5)

Liane Merciel

4.1

Return to Thedas, the setting of BioWare's award-winning Dragon Age dark fantasy rpg, and discover what dark, forgotten secrets lurk in the history of the legendary Grey Wardens.

The Grey Wardens are heroes across Thedas once again: the Archdemon has been defeated with relative ease and the scattered darkspawn are being driven back underground. The Blight is over. Or so it seems.

Valya, a young elve

Cover unavailable

52

Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade (Assassin's Creed, #3)

Oliver Bowden

4.1

NICCOLO POLO, FATHER OF MARCO, WILL FINALLY REVEAL THE STORY HE HAS KEPT SECRET ALL HIS LIFE - THE STORY OF ALTAIR, ONE OF THE BROTHERHOOD'S MOST EXTRAORDINARY ASSASSINS.

Altair embarks on a formidable mission - one that takes him throughout the Holy Land and shows him the true meaning of the Assassin's Creed. To demonstrate his commitment, Altair must defeat nine deadly enemies, including Templar

Cover unavailable

53

Aspho Fields (Gears of War, #1)

Karen Traviss

4.1

For the first time, fans of the blockbuster Gears of War video games get an in-depth look at Delta Squad’s toughest fighters–soldier’s soldier Marcus Fenix and rock-solid Dominic Santiago–as well as a detailed account of the pivotal battle of the Pendulum Wars.

As kids, the three of them were inseparable; as soldiers, they were torn apart. Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago fought alongside Dom’s el

Cover unavailable

54

Assassin's Creed: Forsaken (Assassin's Creed, #5)

Oliver Bowden

4.1

Assassin's Creed: Forsaken is the latest thrilling novelisation by Oliver Bowden based on the phenomenally successful game series.

'I am an expert swordsman. And I am skilled in the business of death. I take no pleasure in my skill. Simply, I am good at it.'

1735 - London. Haytham Kenway has been taught to use a sword from the age he was able to hold one. When his family's house is attacked - his f

Cover unavailable

55

Halo: The Flood

William C. Dietz

4.1

The Human-Covenant War, a desperate struggle for humankind's very survival, has reached its boiling point on the mysterious, ring world called Halo. But the fierce Covenant warriors, the mightiest alien military force known, are not the only peril lying in wait.

As the fortress world of Reach and its brave defenders were bombarded to rubble, a single cruiser fled the carnage with the battle's onl

Cover unavailable

56

Halo: Contact Harvest

Joseph Staten

4.1

This is how it began...

It is the year 2524. Harvest is a peaceful, prosperous farming colony on the very edge of human-controlled space. But we have trespassed on holy ground--strayed into the path of an aggressive alien empire known as the Covenant. What begins as a chance encounter between an alien privateer and a human freighter catapults mankind into a struggle for its very existence.

But human

Cover unavailable

57

Overwatch: The Official Cookbook

Chelsea Monroe-Cassel

4.1

Cook up more than ninety recipes inspired by the heroes of Blizzard Entertainment’s hit game with Overwatch: The Official Cookbook.

Based on Blizzard Entertainment’s global phenomenon Overwatch, this official cookbook is packed with scores of authentic recipes inspired by the game’s diverse heroes hailing from all corners of the universe.

Building from the game’s compelling narrative and variety of

Recommended by Anjali Bhimani.

Anjali Bhimani

@westofhouse It’s such a great book, I’m paralyzed by indecision what recipe to make first!!! [source]

58

Trapped in a Video Game: The Complete Series

Dustin Brady

4.1

Five books in one box! With nonstop action, huge plot twists, and tons of humor, this series will quickly have your 7- to 12-year-old video game fan begging for just one more chapter.

Getting sucked into a video game is not as much fun as you'd think. Sure, there are jetpacks, hover tanks, and infinite lives, but what happens when the game starts to turn on you? In this best-selling series, 12-year

Cover unavailable

59

Scott Pilgrim, Volume 3: Scott Pilgrim & The Infinite Sadness

Bryan Lee O'Malley

4.1

Ramona's third evil ex-boyfriend, Todd Ingram, is currently dating the former love of Scott Pilgrim's life! Envy Adams broke Scott's heart a year and a half ago. Now she and her evil art-rock band are back, and they're getting Scott's band to open a show two days from now! That's just enough time for Scott to fight Todd, keep Ramona happy, fend off demented ex-girlfriends, and practice that new se

Cover unavailable

60

Assassin's Creed: Revelations (Assassin's Creed, #4)

Oliver Bowden

4.1

OLDER, WISER, AND MORE DEADLY THAN EVER, MASTER ASSASSIN EZIO AUDITORE EMBARKS ON AN EPIC JOURNEY TO FIND THE LOST LIBRARY OF ALTAIR - A LIBRARY THAT MAY HOLD THE KEY TO DEFEATING THE TEMPLARS. HOWEVER, A SHOCKING DISCOVERY AWAITS HIM.

The library holds not only hidden knowledge but also the most unsettling secret the world has ever known, a secret the Templars hope to use to control humankind's de

Cover unavailable

61

Assassin's Creed: Black Flag (Assassin's Creed, #6)

Oliver Bowden

4.1

It’s the Golden Age of Piracy — a time when greed, ambition, and corruption overcome all loyalties — and a brash young captain, Edward Kenway, is making his name known for being one of the greatest pirates of his time.

In the brilliant new novel, Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag, discover the story of how Edward, a young privateer, became one of the world's most deadly pirates and was drawn into the ce

Cover unavailable

62

Okami Official Complete Works

Capcom

4.1

Okami is one of the newest Capcom action games boasting a very unique art style, heavily inspired by Japanese watercolor painting. The OkamiOfficial Complete Works art book will take you behind the scenes to the amazing artwork that defines the wonderful world of this beautiful video game! The 288 full color pages are filled with character and location designs, concept sketches and production note

Cover unavailable

63

Trapped in a Video Game (Book 2): The Invisible Invasion

Dustin Brady and Jesse Brady

4.1

Kids who love video games will love this second installment in the new 5-book series about 12-year old Jesse Rigsby and the wild adventures he encounters getting sucked into different video games.

After Full Blast, Jesse Rigsby and his friend Eric has sworn off video games. But when Jesse is offered the chance to save his friend Mark, of course he says, "Yes." Problem is, Jesse is invisible now, su

64

World of Warcraft Chronicle: Volume 1

BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT

4.1

World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1 is a journey through an age of myth and legend, a time long before the Horde and the Alliance came to be. This definitive tome of Warcraft history reveals untold stories about the birth of the cosmos, the rise of ancient empires, and the forces that shaped the world of Azeroth and its people.

This beautiful hardcover features twenty-five full-page paintings by

Cover unavailable

65

The Time of Contempt (The Witcher Book 2)

Andrzej Sapkowski

4.1

The New York Times bestselling series that inspired the international hit video game: The Witcher
Geralt is a witcher: guardian of the innocent; protector of those in need; a defender, in dark times, against some of the most frightening creatures of myth and legend. His task, now, is to protect Ciri. A child of prophecy, she will have the power to change the world for good or for ill -- but onl

Cover unavailable

66

All Your Base Are Belong to Us: How Fifty Years of Videogames Conquered Pop Culture

Harold Goldberg

4.1

Through the stories of gaming's greatest innovations and most beloved creations, journalist Harold Goldberg captures the creativity, controversy--and passion--behind the videogame's meteoric rise to the top of the pop-culture pantheon.

Over the last fifty years, video games have grown from curiosities to fads to trends to one of the world's most popular forms of mass entertainment. But as the gamin

Cover unavailable

67

Arthas: Rise of the Lich King (World of Warcraft, #6)

Christie Golden

4.0

Frostmourne. It was caught in a hovering, jagged chunk of ice, the runes that ran the length of its blade glowing a cool blue. Below it was a dais of some sort, standing on a large gently raised mound that was covered in a dusting of snow. A soft light, coming from somewhere high above where the cavern was open to daylight, shone down on the runeblade. The icy prison hid some details of the sword'

Cover unavailable

68

Five Nights at Freddy's: Survival Logbook

Scott Cawthon

4.0

Based on the best-selling horror video game series Five Nights at Freddy's, this essential logbook offers night guards new to Freddy Fazbear's Pizza a chance for self-reflection during their first week on the job. Quizzes, lists, and prompts throughout reinforce training, provide room to log in-game events, and allow for introspection on the best qualities of a Freddy's employee--namely, a genuine

Cover unavailable

69

Nemesis (Resident Evil, #5)

S.D. Perry

4.0

Hoping to hide evidence of their unethical and immoral genetic experiments, the Umbrella Corporation unleashes mercenary teams and an updated version of its Tyrant-class killing machines - a lethal creature code-named Nemesis - on Raccoon City.

Cover unavailable

70

Trapped in a Video Game (Book 4): Return to Doom Island

Dustin Brady and Jesse Brady

4.0

Kids who love video games will love this new 5-book series about 12-year old Jesse Rigsby and the wild adventures he encounters getting sucked into different video games.

Alistair Gregory, the man who figured out how to put people into video games, is not what he seems. Jesse Rigsby is sure of that. Jesse’s sure of something else too—he’s being watched. To unravel the mystery, Jesse’s going to have

71

The Ultimate Unofficial Encyclopedia for Minecrafters: An A - Z Book of Tips and Tricks the Official Guides Don't Teach You

Megan Miller

4.0

By New York Times bestselling author and Minecraft expert, Megan Miller, a full-color book full of practical advice that boys and girls will refer to again and again!

Minecraft is the one game that children, parents, and teaches all agree on. It’s great fun and a wonderful teaching tool. The Ultimate Unofficial Encyclopedia for Minecrafters reveals expert tricks of the trade for gamers. This exci

72

Level Up! the Guide to Great Video Game Design

Scott Rogers

4.0

Update to include:

Expansion on themes

Touch and touch screen controls

AR enabled games & incorporating real-world camera in to your game

Motion controls

Designing an app icon

Real world level design

Voice over for games and much more...

"Level Up! "covers the entire video game creation process. Readers will learn how to develop marketable ideas, learn what perils and pitfalls await them during a game's p

73

Five Nights at Freddy's Character Encyclopedia (An AFK Book)

Scott Cawthon

4.0

An in-depth look at all the characters from Five Nights at Freddy's in a beautiful, deluxe hardcover format!The massive roster of characters from Five Nights at Freddy's is presented here in a giant hardcover that will make the perfect addition to any fan’s library. From the games to the novels and short stories, all the characters are here and laid out in awesome detail that will deepen the knowl

Cover unavailable

74

The Well of Eternity (WarCraft: War of the Ancients, #1)

Richard A. Knaak, Ramon De Ocampo, et al

4.0

Many months have passed since the cataclysmic Battle of Mount Hyjal, where the demonic Burning Legion was banished from Azeroth forever. But now, a mysterious energy rift within the mountains of Kalimdor propels three former warriors into the distant past -- a time long before orcs, humans or even high elves roamed the land. A time when the Dark Titan Sargeras, and his demon pawns persuaded Queen

Cover unavailable

75

Code: Veronica (Resident Evil, #6)

S.D. Perry

4.0

A desperate search for her missing brother once again pits Claire Redfield against the terrifying bioweapons of the Umbrella Corporation. Her quest leads her to a remote island where a mad genius has unleashed every grotesque creature at his disposal to stop her from interfering with his horrific agenda.Catapulted to the bottom of the world, Claire is at last reunited with the man she came to find

76

Baptism of Fire (The Witcher Book 3)

Andrzej Sapkowski

4.0

The New York Times bestselling series that inspired the international hit video game: The Witcher
The Wizards Guild has been shattered by a coup and, in the uproar, Geralt was seriously injured. The Witcher is supposed to be a guardian of the innocent, a protector of those in need, a defender against powerful and dangerous monsters that prey on men in dark times.
But now that dark times have f

Cover unavailable

77

Trapped in a Video Game (Book 3): Robots Revolt

Dustin Brady and Jesse Brady

4.0

Kids who love video games will love this third installment of the new 5-book series about 12-year old Jesse Rigsby and the wild adventures he encounters getting sucked into different video games.

The robots are here and they're not happy, at all. After accidentally releasing the robot villains from Super Bot World 3 into the real world, Jesse Rigsby's got to figure out a way to make everything righ

Cover unavailable

78

Spelunky (Boss Fight Books, #11)

Derek Yu

4.0

When Derek Yu released Spelunky for free in 2008, his roguelike-inspired platformer took the indie game community by storm with its combination of classic platform mechanics, extreme difficulty, and random level generation. Four years later, Spelunky's HD remake went on to become PC Gamer's Game of the Year and earn perfect scores from Polygon and Eurogamer. But how is a "perfect" game made?

Spelu

Cover unavailable

79

Zero Hour (Resident Evil, #0)

S. D. Perry

4.0

BEFORE THE MANSION.BEFORE THE DISASTER.

EVIL IS BORN.

Sent to investigate a series of grisly murders in Raccoon City, S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team scrambles into action. On the way to the scene, Bravo's helicopter crashes. Although everyone survives, what they discover next is gruesome: an overturned military transport truck riddled with corpses -- and that's only the beginning of their nightmare. Bravo Te

Cover unavailable

80

Rise of the Horde (World of Warcraft, #2)

Christie Golden

4.0

Though the young Warchief Thrall ended the demon curse that had plagued his people for generations, the orcs still wrestle with the sins of their bloody past. As the rampaging Horde, they waged a number of devastating wars against their perennial enemy -- the Alliance. Yet the rage and bloodlust that drove the orcs to destroy everything in their path nearly consumed them as well.

Long ago, on the i

Cover unavailable

81

Lord of the Clans (WarCraft, #2)

Christie Golden

4.0

Lord of the Clans (Warcraft, Book 2)

Cover unavailable

82

Jacinto's Remnant (Gears of War, #2)

Karen Traviss

4.0

Based on the blockbuster Xbox game, this is the stunning story of the men and women who stood between a planet and total destruction–and now have to face the consequences of their actions.

After a brutal fifteen-year war for survival, the Coalition of Ordered Governments is forced to destroy mankind’s last city in a final bid to stop the Locust Horde. As the survivors flee Jacinto, they must conten

Cover unavailable

83

Game On! 2020

Scholastic

4.0

Get ready for another awesome year of gaming with this ultimate guide to all your favorite games, including a definitive list of the biggest games of the past year and hot new ones coming in 2020!

Game On! 2020 is the most comprehensive guide to all the best games, tech, and streamers, featuring some of the year's greatest gaming moments and exclusive interviews with Twitch stars, YouTube legends,

Cover unavailable

84

City of the Dead (Resident Evil, #3)

S.D. Perry

4.0

Leon Kennedy, a rookie cop on a new assignment, and Claire Redfield, sister of the still-missing S.T.A.R.S. member Chris, arrive at Raccoon City to discover a necropolis.

A botched attempt by the Umbrella Corporation to retrieve a devastating mutagenic weapon has resulted in a horrifying viral outbreak, transforming the city's population into the living dead. And all of them are hungry.

85

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

John Boyne

4.0

If you start to read this book, you will go on a journey with a nine-year-old boy named Bruno. (Though this isn't a book for nine-year-olds.) And sooner or later you will arrive with Bruno at a fence.

Fences like this exist all over the world. We hop you never have to encounter one.

Cover unavailable

86

Kingdom Hearts II: Official Strategy Guide

Elizabeth Hollinger, Matt Berner, David Cassady, Greg Sepelak

4.0

Librarian's note: There is an Alternate Cover Edition for this edition of this book here.

BradyGames’ Kingdom Hearts II Official Strategy Guide includes the following:
Walkthrough & Area Maps: This Signature Series guide includes complete coverage of every world in the game. Includes subtle hints for area-specific objectives, detailed strategies and tips, and illustrated maps packed with callouts!

Gu

87

The Official Five Nights at Freddy's Cookbook: An AFK Book

Scott Cawthon, Rob Morris

4.0

The one and only OFFICIAL, New York Times bestselling Five Nights at Freddy's Cookbook, with over 40 recipes inspired by the hit games!Delight in over forty tasty recipes inspired by the Five Nights at Freddy's games, with gorgeous, eye-popping photography! From Freddy Fazbear's Pepperoni X-Press and Chica's Ultimate Thai Chicken Burger, to Foxy's Fruity Cove Coolor and El Chip's Fully Loaded Tort

Cover unavailable

88

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (Zelda, #3)

Akira Himekawa

4.0

After sealing Ganondorf in the Sacred Realm, Link returns to the time when he was a boy. Peace has returned to Hyrule, but his old friend Navi is missing. While wandering the forest in search of Navi, he meets Skull Kid, who is wearing Majora's Mask, an artifact said to grant your wishes. The mischievous Skull Kid steals the Ocarina of Time from Link and turns Link into a Deku Nut!

Cover unavailable

89

Day of the Dragon (WarCraft, #1)

Richard A. Knaak, Richard Knaak

4.0

In the mist-shrouded haze of the past, the world of Azeroth teemed with wondrous creatures of every kind. Mysterious Elves and hardy Dwarves walked among tribes of man in relative peace and harmony -- until the arrival of the demonic army known as Burning Legion shattered the world's tranquility forever. Now Orcs, Dragons, Goblins, and Trolls all vie for supremacy over the scattered, warring kingd

Cover unavailable

90

Minecraft Diary of Skeleton Steve the Noob Years - FULL Season Two (2): Unofficial Minecraft Books for Kids, Teens, & Nerds - Adventure Fan Fiction Diary ... Mobs Series Diaries - Bundle Box Sets 9)

Skeleton Steve

4.0

Cover unavailable

91

Trapped in a Video Game (Book 5): The Final Boss

Dustin Brady and Jesse Brady

4.0

Kids who love video games will love this fifth and final installment of the 5-book series about 12-year old Jesse Rigsby and the wild adventures he encounters inside different video games.

Age Level: 8-12 Grade Level: 3rd and up

Jesse and Eric have ten minutes to save the world. In those ten minutes, they’re supposed to dive into a massive video game universe, track down an all-powerful madman, and

Cover unavailable

92

Halo: The Cole Protocol

Tobias S. Buckell

4.0

In the first, desperate days of the Human-Covenant War, the UNSC has enacted the Cole Protocol to safeguard Earth and its inner colonies from discovery by a merciless alien foe. Many are called upon to rid the universe of lingering navigation data that would reveal the location of Earth. Among them is Navy Lieutenant Jacob Keyes. Thrust back into action after being sidelined, Keyes is saddled with

Cover unavailable

93

Kingdom Hearts, Vol. 1 (Kingdom Hearts, #1)

Shiro Amano

4.0

When a storm hits his island, fourteen-year-old Sora is swept into a mysterious land where he meets Court Wizard Donald and Captain Goofy, who are on a mission to find King Mickey and return him to his throne at Disney Castle.

Cover unavailable

94

Game On! 2019: All the Best Games: Awesome Facts and Coolest Secrets

Scholastic

4.0

Get ready for another awesome year of gaming with this ultimate guide to the best games, including a definitive list of the biggest games of the past year and the new ones coming in 2019. Featuring Five Nights at Freddy's and Hello Neighbor!Game On! 2019, the most comprehensive guide to all the best games, tech, and YouTube stars, features some of the year's greatest moments, including exclusive i

95

Rise of the Videogame Zinesters: How Freaks, Normals, Amateurs, Artists, Dreamers, Drop-outs, Queers, Housewives, and People Like You Are Taking Back an Art Form

Anna Anthropy

4.0

Part critical essay, part manifesto, part DIY guide, and altogether unprecedented, Rise of the Videogame Zinesters shows why the multi-billion dollar videogame industry needs to change—and how a new generation of artists can change it. Indie game designer extraordinaire Anna Anthropy makes an ardent plea for the industry to move beyond the corporate systems of production and misogynistic culture a

Cover unavailable

96

The Tower of Swallows (The Witcher, #4)

Andrzej Sapkowski

4.0

The Witcher returns in this action-packed sequel to Baptism of Fire, in the New York Times bestselling series that inspired The Witcher video games.

The world has fallen into war. Ciri, the child of prophecy, has vanished. Hunted by friends and foes alike, she has taken on the guise of a petty bandit and lives free for the first time in her life.

But the net around her is closing. Geralt, the Witch

Cover unavailable

97

Level Up

Gene Luen Yang, Thien Pham

4.0

Dennis Ouyang has always struggled in the shadow of his parents' expectations. His path is laid out for him: stay focused in high school, become a gastroenterologist. It may be hard work, but it isn't complicated … until suddenly it is.

Between his father's death, his academic burnout, and his deep (and distracting) love of video games, Dennis is nowhere near where his family wanted him to be. In f

98

Guinness World Records Gamer's 2020 (Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition)

Guinness World Records

4.0

Cover unavailable

99

Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Prima Official Game Guide

David Hodgson

4.0

• Complete walkthroughs of every story and side quest help guide you through the deep storyline; there are many choices that affect your game, and we cover them all!
• From the five major cities to the open expanses of wilderness and mountains, you'll never be lost with over 130 fully-labeled maps!
• Master the skills to battle dragons, forge the best weapons, and finish off foes with our thorough c

Cover unavailable

100

Kingdom Hearts Official Strategy Guide

Dan Birlew

4.0

BradyGames' Kingdom Hearts Official Strategy Guide provides an all-inclusive walkthrough to help players successfully seal all the worlds, and area maps of each world that illustrate all key items. Hidden U.S. bosses, including Sephiroth, are revealed! Complete mini-game coverage of 99 Dalmatians, Jungle Slider, Mushrooms, and many more. The Gummi Garage shows gamers the ins-and-outs of building t