5 comments about Official Price Guide to Classic Video Games: Console, Arcade, and Handheld Games.

1. You don't have to be 40 to read this book, but if you are it will certainly cover every video game you've ever played while growing up. Having been to a few auctions myself, the charts and tables in this book have easily saved me the cost of the book on just one machine. A very handy reference if you're just getting started and invaluable if your wife thinks your hobby is getting too expensive. It's easy to get caught up in the bidding, and this book will help you find that line that says "you're paying too much for that machine."
   
   After you get your new toy home, I've found that some tend to fizzle out after about 2 months. This is where the online resources listed in this book come in handy. They are a gateway to the community of Classic Arcade Collectors and you will find that these collectors are eager to help you get your machine back in working condition.
   
   I look forward to a sequel that covers more of the post-classic era as this section of the book has sparked a hunger for more information on these newer treasures.



2. Three thousand dollars for a rare Atari cartidge? Who would have guessed that the stuff we discarded from our youth would now be part of a cottage industry consisting of collectors, auction houses, classic arcade repair shops and book writers.
   
   I consider myself an serious collector, (Ooh, how arrogant!) of serious toys. And Ellis' work is one of those rare "how to collect" books worthy of a double purchase. One to keep fresh and clean on your book shelf and one to dog ear, mark up, and spill coffee on. My working copy is permanently on watch next to my PC.
   
   Don't be misled into thinking this is a minor work because the book's price is so reasonable. The historical summaries alone are worth the cost. As a begining collector of classic arcade games this book is the best place to start. You could not go wrong in assembling a fine collection at reasonable cost by following Ellis' recommendations to the letter. The chapters are arranged so as to allow collectors to skip those areas in which they have no interest.
   
   Negatives? Only one, too big to carry around. A pocket guide would be great for auctions. And an electronic version (Palm?, Pocket PC?) with easy to query price look ups would be even better. Hey Random House are you listing?



3. What an incredible reference guide. With the collectible video game market still in its infancy, I honestly didn't expect to see a book like this for at least another decade. Then, as I was chuckling to myself while staring at it in a bookstore, it hit me: "Holy Energizer Dots! It's a huge reference to the entire video game industry!!! So I grabbed it, absorbed it, and continue re-reading it to this day. Chock full of history, images and master lists of cartridges and consoles, this one book will both enlighten you to the scope of the video game industry as of today, and also serve as a GREAT tool when you start shopping online auction sites like eBay. I used it to buy my Atari 7800 system, and I was pleased to know I didn't pay more for it than it was worth. That would not have been possible without this book. I'd like to think of a negative thing to say about this book so readers won't think I'm biased. Ok, I wish I had a hardcover version becasue this one is going to fall apart soon from opening it up too much!



4. WOW...What can I say? This book was a trip down memory lane. Each page brought back fond memories of playing video games in my parents' basement. Sadly, I lost my Atari 2600 in a stampede. I still have most of my game cartridges though and they're still lots of fun! Mr. Ellis' book is well written and a must have for anyone who loves collecting the Atari game software of the 80's.



5. This book is lame. I got into the arcade collection hobby about a year ago and have really dove into it headfirst. I am a member of a lot of the collector message boards and go to auctions and arcade events near my home. The price guide seems a bit out of wack. I don't think you can price guide an arcade. I have seen Ms. Pac-mans go from $250 to $1650 and Kung Fu Master games go from $200 all the way to $1000. The price ranges are so large it doesn't make sense to price guide these. It all depends on how much someone loves a game... Auctions skew the prices a lot, so do people on ebay that overpay. The guide lacks a lot of games I see out there. Waste of money. Want a price range, go on ebay and craigslist and message boards.

1 comments about Gamers ... in the Library?!: The Why, What, and How of Videogame Tournaments for All Ages.

1. Technology manager of the Ann Arbor District Library and lifetime gamer Eli Neiburger presents Gamers... in the Library?! The Why, What, and How of Videogame Tournaments for All Ages, a guide to planning, setting up, and running video game tournaments in a public library in order to earn a place in the hearts and minds of local video game fans. "Games are content too, and as a format, they are in high demand in your community, especially among those pesky nontraditional library users." Chapters discuss why tournaments specifically are a preferable option for incorporating videogames into the library (public game kiosks or unlimited browser-based games foster animosity over the limited resource of access to the game), why it's important to choose one's software before choosing hardware, why serving food can be beneficial (but there's no need for beverages other than ice water), and much more. A tournament based on a game that involves physical activity such as Dance Dance Revolution can even promote exercise and fitness! The step-by-step instructions for successfully hosting a tournament are especially appreciated in this top-notch resource, recommended not only for public libraries but also for anyone seeking to promote social fun and community-building through gaming.

No comments about The Wheelman Official Strategy Guide (Brady Games).

No comments about EverQuest: The 10th Anniversary Collector's Edition.

5 comments about Fantasy Sports Online for Dummies.

1. A must for anyone who is interested in learning about this subject



2. it allows for the whole family to come to the table as one and play the game the way it should be played. the team of gus and jim is outstanding!!!!!! i can't wait for the next version!!!!!



3. This a book which enables a group of people to have fun following a sport. It teaches you what to look for and how to prepare yourself. It is a book that will help not only the so-so sport fans but also the very hard core sport fans. The one thing that I would have added to it would have been Chapter 23 How to go from 9th place in your league to 1st in the last five weeks of the season, but then again that's me. If you have a group of friends who like sports and don't know how to set up a league this is a great book to buy.



4. This book covers all the beginner aspects of the fantasy sports game. It offers the necessary steps to beginning your own league and if your a seasoned veteran helpful hints to get the winning edge. I can attest to the George Griefs and the Jermane Allensworths from my own experiences.



5. The book is an excellent tool that allows all to enter and enjoy the wonderful world of Fantasy Baseball!!!!!

2 comments about Secrets of the Mud Wizards: Playing and Programming Muds, Moos, Mucks, and Other Internet Role-Playing Games.

1. This book takes you from start to finish. Learn the basics of moving and communicating in the MU* world. Then move at a good pace all the way up to coding and building. This is the only comprehensive book I have seen on this subject.



2. This book is becoming increasingly hard to find, so please pick up a copy as soon as possible. It is definitely worth getting at any price and is the only book of its kind. I spent a long time finding a good copy of this and finally got it, but it was worth the wait. There is so much good stuff here (I won't summarize as that's already been done above) and there really is something for everyone interested in MUDs. Again, get your copy while you can because this is getting hard to find.

1 comments about Poker Night: Dealer's Choice A to Z.

1. I got this book hoping to add a little spice into our home game. Many of the people I play with (and me) stick to Texas Hold 'em for the most part, but fondly remember the days when "Chase the Queen" and "Iron Cross" built huge pots and made a home game really different from what you get in the Casino. I was really impressed with the coverage this book provides. Pretty much every aspect of the home game is there, and there are more varieties of poker outlined here than we'll ever get to in our game - there's just not enough time!
   
   The first sections of "Poker Night" discuss many of the things that need to be considered before hosting a game. What kind of atmosphere are you going for? What sort of house rules should you establish? How do you handle the player who wins a huge hand and then wants to leave right away? "Poker Night" helps you prepare a sound set of house rules to make sure the game runs smoothly.
   
   The real meat of the book covers every variation of poker I've ever heard of and many more. The publisher's outline above will give you an idea of what's there, and each is covered very well. Essentially the rules of each type of poker are covered in brief, and then they give a thorough breakdown of how each variety of them work. So, in the Stud section they cover the classic "Chase the Queen", and in the Community section they cover my favorite, "Iron Cross", but if you've wanted to know how to play "Baseball", "H-Bomb", or too many others to mention, chances are they're in here.
   
   The section on Hold'em provides a good overview of the game, and provides some good information about the value of the various starting hands, and the strategy included would be very helpful for people just getting into the game or who are interested in taking control of their current home game. The final section includes some interesting notes about how casino poker games like Let It Ride and Caribbean Stud can be adjusted for home game play.
   
   Overall, a really good overview of the wide variety of poker games played in living rooms around the world. "Poker Night" will definitely add something to anyone's game that's gotten a little too predictable.

1 comments about The URBZ: Sims in the City (Prima Official Game Guide).

1. This game guide really helped me the conquer this game.

4 comments about Pac-Man World(tm) 3 Official Strategy Guide (Official Strategy Guides (Bradygames)).

1. The Pac Man World 3 guide is a great way to get through the tough spots and to make sure you didn't miss anything. My only complaint with this product is that some of the screen shots are pretty small and hard to see much detail. But, I wouldn't hesitate to order another guide from Brady Games in the future.



2. This guidehas good text but poor graphics. It is however still useful.Hints within the game play are also very helpful.



3. I bought the game first and tried playing it on my own. While it was fun it is not like the pacman games I'm used to playing. It wasn't long before I got stuck, and that is when I purchased this guide. this is an excellent guide because it doesn't give you cheats, and ruien the game experience, but it dose walk you through what to do, where things are, and how to use the different features of the game. I have still not gotten to the end, but I'm enjoying myself now, instead of being frustrated.



4. My wife was trapped in the last stage of this game. She had finished it only with the information contained in this magazine.
   I think price is a little expensive, but if you want finish it, you should pay for it.

1 comments about Dungeon World (d20 System) (D20).

1. This book is a good base for new DMs, cause it uses statistics from the Monster Manual. BUT, it's juts that, a collection of numbers, and some good ideas. It uses scenarios that are interesting, but are so vague. The hole book is designed to challenge PJ's of about level 10 and some. Experienced players and DMs won't get a lot from this book.