Author | Publisher Blurb.com | |
Subject History of computer and video games | ||
Bits, Sticks, and Buttons: The Unofficial Guide to the 50 Greatest Arcade Games is an arcade-related book written by Sean Newton. The book is offered only through a self-publishing website known as Blurb.com. The book's content follows a simple layout which offers an in-depth look at the Top 50 games. Although the list can be viewed subjectively, the author demonstrates the effectiveness of each game through describing certain notable attributes each game has, such as graphics, artwork, control schemes, and pop culture significance. The book offers many opinions and photos from notable arcade enthusiasts and gamers, which help add to the overall aura each game possesses. Two key features are embedded into the book to help break up the monotony of the list- Both are titles "MVPs of the Arcades". The first of these double page spreads highlights the hobbyists who repair, offer parts, and reproduce artwork for arcade games. The second MVP section focuses on the owners of Retro arcades who have strove to re-create the general ambiance from booming arcades from the 80's.
Contents
The book is 80 pages, full-color, and contains many digital game rooms which display 3D models of arcade games (made on Google Sketchup) to help visually show certain attributes and profiles to certain iconic arcade cabinets.
Game List
50- 720°. Chosen for its interactive use of controls and genre. 49- Operation Wolf. Chosen for its pioneering status for the rail-shooter genre and positional joystick. 48- Crazy Taxi. Open road driving which let players free-roam in gameplay. 47- Rampage. Multiple player chaos 46- Mario Bros. Defining game in the two-player platform genre. First introduction of the Mario "Brothers". 45- Super Off-Road. Slapstick controls for three players. 44- NBA JAM. Genre-defining game for not only Basketball, but all sports. 43- Afterburner. Interactive use of controls for ultimate player immersion. 42- Final Fight. Huge leap forward in the overall style of the beat 'em up genre. 41- Super Punch-out. Classic graphics and iconic controls. 40- Track & Field. Chosen for its renowned ability to make the player's heart rate rise. 39- Dragon's Lair. Most influential laser-disc game using full animation. 38- Dig Dug. Simple, elementary game with a huge cult following. 37- Spy Hunter. Chosen for its use of hunter/killer type of gameplay intermingled with a classic overhead driving game. 36- Marble Madness. Addictive gameplay and unique controls. 35- Arkanoid. Simple, yet effective gameplay which both sexes can appreciate. 34- Double Dragon. Ground-breaking beat 'em up classic with a twist storyline. 33- Big Buck Hunter Pro. Arguably, the most important bar-room shooter released in decades. 32- Outrun. Sophisticated use of scaling technology and soundtrack. 31- Silent Scope. Revolutionary rail-shooter with intense replay value. 30- Gauntlet. Considered the first true "quarter muncher" for friends to share an adventure with. 29- Raiden. Raised the bar for all future shoot-em ups to follow. 28- Golden Tee Fore!. Chosen for its mass earnings and legendary status symbol in nearly every brewpub and country club. 27- Battlezone. Interactive use of controls. 26- Frogger. Simple goals, memorable character. 25- Gyruss. Chosen for stereo music soundtrack and one-of-a-kind gameplay. 24- House of the Dead. Legendary status as the best rail-shooter. 23- San Francisco Rush The Rock. Best use of smooth controls and simple physics driving. 22- Dance Dance Revolution. Chosen for its ability to transform the arcade scene during a time of heavy console use at homes. 21- Tempest. Tube shooter with addictive gameplay. 20- X-Men. Chosen for its unique cabinet which allowed for six players at once. 19- Robotron 2084. Frantic gameplay and double-handed control scheme. 18- Pole Position. Best driving game. Simple goal which takes years to master, but one can pick up and play. 17- Mortal Kombat II. Excessive use of violence and upgraded character attributes. 16- Metal Slug X. Chosen for its wildly animated levels and intense soundtrack. 15- Ms.Pacman. Upgraded sequel to one of the best games ever. 14- Missile Command. Chosen for its pinpoint accuracy controls made use by trackball. 13- Star Wars. Successful meld between film and arcade. Speech, graphics, and controls. 12- Asteroids. Huge earnings and simplistic gameplay. 11- Pong. Rudimentary, yet addictive gameplay. 10- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Colorful level layout and amazing attention to detail. 9- Space Invaders. Huge earnings and ushered in the microprocessor. 8- Tron. Intricate cabinet design and perfect fusion between movie marketing and gameplay. 7- Centipede. Fan-favorite for women and intuitive controls. 6- Tetris. Irresistible gameplay. 5- Defender. High scores table and intense gameplay. 4- Galaga and Galaxian. Considered the true father and mother to the vertical shooter genre. 3- Street Fighter II. Defining game in the fighting genre. 2- Pac-Man. Classic, timeless game which could be finished by pattern recognition. 1- Donkey Kong. Multiple gamescreens, storyline, animated characters, sound.
Reception
While the book was given high praise, especially on the "Killer List of Video Games" website forums, criticism was offered in response to many pertinent titles not appearing on the top 50 list. Most notably, the absence of fan-favorites like Joust, Q-bert, and Paperboy. The author does offer "honorable mention" to these games in his book, but stands his ground pointing out that while these games are loved highly by the die-hard enthusiast, most of the general public's opinions of the titles are limited to just character marketing. The book also received criticism for having a "biased opinion" on the list. However, the author maintains that he tried to stay as objective as possible when weighing the pros and cons of each game. Also noted as a complaint, was that the author awarded both Galaga and Galaxian the coveted number four rank. The author maintains his stance that "Both games influenced the market and gaming history so greatly, that it was a mistake to not include both". He argued that both games played so similar, that they could be seen as one single entity.
Trivia
The author actually appears on the cover of the book wearing camouflage pants and being squashed by a Donkey Kong Junior cabinet. What makes this even more interesting, is that the author had a friend steady an actual Donkey Kong Junior cabinet on his chest for the photo. Tripcannon, the man who stands on page 25 of the book, was the photographer for the cover. Sean Newton released a follow-up book the following year in 2012 titled Grails. The Cool, the Rare, and the Obscure of Arcade Games.