Video Game Bibles: Exhaustive Histories & Catalogs

This selection of ‘Bibles’ focuses on comprehensive documentation and exhaustive cataloging. These works aim to be definitive references for specific platforms or genres, providing collectors and historians with complete software libraries, hardware revisions, and deep dives into the cultural impact of the systems that shaped the industry.

Some books may be added from time to time.

Last update : 10.02.2026

CoverTitleAuthorPublisherLanguageISBNSupportComments
Go Straight: The Ultimate Guide to Side-Scrolling Beat 'em UpsDave CookBitmap BooksEnglish978-1838458515Physical, PDFA massive encyclopedia covering the history of the genre from 1984 to today.
La Bible PC Engine - Volume 1: Les HuCardsCollectivePix'n LoveFrench978-2918272014PhysicalDedicated entirely to the HuCard format library for the PC Engine.
La Bible PC Engine - Volume 2: Les CD-ROM²CollectivePix'n LoveFrench978-2918272113PhysicalCovers the entire library released for the CD-ROM², Super CD-ROM², and Arcade CD-ROM².
La Bible AmigaEric CubizollePix'n LoveFrench978-2918272304PhysicalA massive volume documenting the Amiga 500/1200 library and the 16/32-bit era.
50 jeux vidéo tout sauf ordinairesAntoine MaurelMangoFrench978-2317014895Physical, EPUBAn exploration of avant-garde and experimental titles that broke traditional rules.
Hardcore Gaming 101 Presents: Sega Arcade Classics Vol. 1Kurt KalataHG101English978-1479309757Physical, KindleIn-depth historical essays on Sega’s foundational arcade hits like Shinobi and Golden Axe.
The Game Console 2.0: A Photographic History from Atari to XboxEvan AmosNo Starch PressEnglish978-1718500600Physical, PDFAn exhaustive photographic encyclopedia featuring high-resolution teardowns of consoles and their internal components.