Bitmap Books has announced the next entry in its library, The Definitive Book of SNES RPGs. This is a deluxe tome designed to be a visual guide to an iconic era of video game history, and if that piques your interest, you can preorder it for $40 ahead of its shipping date later this month.
The Definitive Book of SNES RPGs Volume One
$48 | Releases October 15
The first volume in this new series will cover games titled to A-K, and this 550-page book is written by game critic and researcher Moses Norton. The hardcover edition will focus on games like The 7th Saga, Eye of the Beholder, Breath of Fire, Chrono Trigger, EarthBound, EVO, Final Fantasy 2, and many more, and it features detailed writing, developer quotes, and genre history.
Additionally, there’s restored art and “lost knowledge”, and Bitmap Books says it’s “an uncompromising and exhaustive study of the artistry, ideology, and legacy of SNES RPGs” using a methodology that doesn’t rely on picking favorites. The cover features striking art, provided by professional artist Stephen “Stumpyfongo” Sitton.
A Guide to Japanese Role-Playing Games
$45
A great book to pair this with is A Guide to Japanese Role-Playing Games. A massive collection of reviews and essays on over 600 JRPGs, A Guide to Japanese Role-Playing Games explores the expansive history of this genre, from its early days on 8-bit microcomputers to modern entries on PC and console. It covers a variety of titles like Fire Emblem and Etrian Odyssey, and it’s another high-quality print from Bitmap Books.
More from Bitmap Books
Other noteworthy books from the publisher include recent entries like From Ants to Zombies: Six Decades of Video Game Horror for a deep-dive into digital terror and The Art of the Box for a visual tour of how retro games grabbed your attention with stunning paintings and illustrations.
- A Guide to Japanese Role-Playing Games — $45
- The Art of the Box — $38 ($45)
- Game Boy: The Box Art Collection — $43.50
- SNES/Super Famicom: A Visual Compendium — $66.30
- I’m Too Young To Die: The Ultimate Guide to First-Person Shooters 1992–2002 — $42.49
- The Art of Point-and-Click Adventure Games — $43.50
- From Ants to Zombies: Six Decades of Video Game Horror — $36.11 (
$42.49) - PC Engine: The Box Art Collection — $40
- NEOGEO: A Visual History — $66.24
- NES/Famicom: A Visual Compendium — $63
- The SNES Pixel Book — $73.57
- The Secret History of Mac Gaming: Expanded Edition — $55.82
- The CRPG Book – Expanded Edition — $61.24
- Run ‘n’ Gun: A Guide to On-Foot Shooters — $38.86
- 50 World-Changing Indie Games — $58
- Commodore Amiga: A Visual Compendium — $49.31
- Artcade: The Book Of Classic Arcade Game Art — $65
- Metal Slug: The Ultimate History — $102.71
- Sinclair ZX Spectrum A Visual Compendium — $50.75
- The Games That Weren’t — $68.41
- Super Famicom: The Box Art Collection — $50.75
Another video game history book you can add to your collection is PlayStation: The First 30 Years. Scheduled to ship out in 2026, the book is now available to preorder and is priced at $125.
This sounds like an exciting release for fans of SNES RPGs! It’s great to see such a beloved genre getting the spotlight it deserves. Looking forward to seeing what insights and artwork this volume will offer!
Absolutely! The attention to detail in the book really highlights the unique storytelling and art styles that made these games so memorable. It’s a fantastic way to celebrate the nostalgia while introducing new fans to the genre.
I completely agree! The way the book delves into the development process of each game adds so much depth. It really showcases how these RPGs not only shaped gaming but also influenced storytelling in the industry.
Absolutely! It’s fascinating to see how the development stories reflect the creativity and challenges of that era. Those behind-the-scenes insights really bring the games to life in a new way.
I completely agree! The development stories really highlight the innovative approaches taken by developers at the time. It’s interesting to think about how those challenges shaped the gaming landscape we enjoy today.