What I like about Bitmap Books is their comprehensive way that they cover video gaming history. They don’t just go slapdash with a book and ship it out without devotion. They actually delve into the subject and nail it just about every time. And that proves true with its 2023 publication PC Engine: The Box Art Collection, which we finally got to check out this week. (Just in time for Christmas – thanks, Sam!)
As you might guess, the book is all about the PC Engine, or the TurboGrafx 16 in the United States. It was a niche system, not quite as popular as the Genesis or SNES, but still finding a loyal audience. And it was huge in Japan for some time, seeing games that never got a shot overseas here.
And if you missed out, PC Engine: The Box Art Collection covers them deeply. Every game you can think of is here, and there’s some you might have missed as well – like I did with Godzilla: Bakutou Retsuden. In fact, this might just put you in a collecting mood, so have your wallet ready.
(C) Bitmap Books
As usual, the quality is excellent, with beautiful screenshots and meaningful text. Not to mention the array of cover art, which is simply dazzling. Even the weird-looking titles are ones you probably wouldn’t mind collecting. PC Engine: The Box Art Collection is yet another welcome entry into video gaming’s past. Long may it reign.
PC Engine: The Box Art Collection Is All About Celebration
Right off the bat, Bitmap Books fires on all cylinders with PC Engine: The Box Art Collection. It contains a lengthy foreword by the founder of the PC Engine Software Bible, Paul Weller, who discusses his love for the platform. From there, we get a detailed history of the PC Engine, from its glorious rise to its unexpected fall. We also get to learn a bit from die-hard collectors of HuCards (the general format, before CD-ROM), and what it means to love all things about the system.
And then it’s off to the cover show. What a show it is. PC Engine: The Box Art Collection spans nearly 350 pages of history for the platform. It doesn’t skimp either, as everything from big games to smaller, obscure releases are covered. In fact, you may learn about games that came to the system you didn’t know about – like freakin’ Altered Beast. (Or as it was called in Japan, Juuouki.)
Each page comes with beautiful, high-gloss cover art, as well as screenshots from each game. It’s hard to figure out certain ones because of all the Japanese text at first. But the writing with each post clears it right up, letting you know the significance of each title. The team of writers Bitmap rounded up for the book hit the nail on the head – and likely loved the platform as much as I do. Hell, maybe more.
The book is loaded with details, and even has a handy index at the end, should you feel the need to go right to your favorites. (Like with me and Gate of Thunder or Winds of Thunder.) But I suggest you explore a little bit, if only to discover some new favorites. There was a frickin’ Godzilla game, for crying out loud. Time to expand the ol’ wallet.
(C) Bitmap Books
No Stone Unturned For Bitmap Books’ PC Engine Compilation
The way each page is laid out in PC Engine: The Box Art Collection is absolutely gorgeous. We’ve caught some snippets for you to see in the review, but stopped just short of “spoiling” anything. The good news is you can get the book digitally, should you not feel the need to plunk down $35 or so on the physical edition. But I implore you do it anyway, if only because Bitmap’s books are utter quality. PC Engine is no exception.
There’s a fine use of colors here, but it’s the screenshots that will grab you. There must have been a complicated process in choosing the right ones, but the team did a swell job, getting you excited for each new game. And the stories are really something too, especially with some reasoning as to why certain games – like Street Fighter II – didn’t get a chance here. (They should have.)
Really, it’s just well put together overall, and an absolute must for fans of old-school gaming history. My only hope is that we see other platforms get this kind of coverage in the future. An Atari Jaguar book would definitely hit the spot.
(C) Bitmap Books
Game On, PC Engine (and TurboGrafx) Lovers
I could sit here all day and pick out examples I learned about from PC Engine: The Box Art Collection. But the truth is, you’re best off learning about it yourself. It’s a wonderfully crafted book, filled with stories and nostalgic screenshots. It’s nicely formatted and an easy read, and you can always come back to another page if needed. Plus you’ll learn about games you never thought about collecting. I just wish today’s market was a little bit easier.
Just go get it. Treat yourself this holiday season to all things Turbo. Dracula X demands it!
Thanks to Bitmap Books for providing a digital copy of the book for review. You can buy PC Engine: The Box Art Collection on the Bitmap Books website here!
Want to learn more about Bitmap Books? Check out our interview with their own Sam Dyer!
