Category: Books

HG101 Presents: The Unofficial Guide to Shin Megami Tensei and Persona

Beginning as a 1986 science fiction/horror novel, Megami Tensei has since grown to become one of the most expansive Japanese RPG series of all time, comprising of over thirty titles in variety of subgenres. As the original “monster collecting” game, the heroes converse with hundreds of demons across various world mythologies and convince them to join their cause. While early entries focused on exploring post-apocalyptic Tokyo, the series has branched out in several different directions, putting you in the role of demon-hunting detectives and high school students, across other spinoffs like Devil Summoner, Persona, and Devil Survivor. This book catalogues all of them and untangles the web of the this complicated but fascinating series, reviewing many Japanese-only entries as well as other incredibly obscure titles within the series.

HG101 Presents: Wrestling with Pixels

Over 300 games across two dozen machines, pachinko machines in the smokiest parlors of Osaka, that handheld Tiger Electronics game you got for your birthday that you hate and love at the same time, every game was played on original hardware and explored. Cancelled games unearthed, a legend who turned the genre on its head and development stories shared, this is the complete journey into the world of professional wrestling video games!

The Untold History of Japanese Game Developers Blu-Ray

Now available on Amazon for $23.99 Author and journalist John Szczepaniak spent three months travelling around Japan, interviewing over 80

HG101 Digest Vol. 6: Namco Arcade Classics

Namco was the master at creating unique and interesting characters for their 80s and 90s arcade games. Revisit some of these classics with the sixth Hardcore Gaming 101 digest! This book includes comprehensive reviews of two of the company’s golden age titles, Mappy and Dig Dug, and also examines games like their spy-themed run-and-gun Rolling Thunder, their buddy-cop racing/shooter Lucky & Wild, and the madcap multiplayer brawler The Outfoxies. It also includes looks at their lesser known properties, many of which were only released in Japan, including the Valkyrie series, Dragon Buster, Marchen Maze, Genpei Toumaden, Youkai Douchuuki, Wonder Momo, and Bravoman, plus Mirai Ninja, Namco’s foray into film/gaming crossovers.

HG101 Digest Vol. 5: Treasure

Now available! This book covers the work of cult classic developer Treasure, plus several other related titles!

HG101 Presents: Japanese Video Game Obscurities

101 rare, weird and important Japanese video games!

HG101 Presents: Épopée – Tales from French Game Developers

By Thomas Ribault Now available! Amazon US Paperback – $20 Amazon US Kindle – $9.99 Amazon UK Paperback – £16 Amazon UK

HG101 Digest Vol. 4: Star Fox and F-Zero

Our latest book, covering Star Fox, F-Zero, and several other topics, is now available for purchase!

HG101 Digest Vol. 3: The Guide to Retro Horror

Cover artwork by Rusty Shackles Now available! Hardcore Gaming 101 is proud to present The Guide to Retro Horror! Within these

HG101 Presents: NES Cult Classics

Now available! Cover artwork by Thor Thorvaldson Whenever anyone thinks of the best developers on the Nintendo Entertainment System, the most

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