The Age of Video Games offers a unique view on the evolution of video games, showcasing key milestones, technological advancements, and cultural shifts that have shaped the industry whilst exploring niche corners of the Gaming industry.

Zeid also shows the global impact of video games, giving attention to developers and trends in ways the average reader wouldn’t usually look into.

However, while the book covers a lot of ground, it occasionally feels as if some points are brushed over briefly. Some sections skim over significant moments or innovations that would have benefited from deeper exploration. Additionally, the writing can feel slightly disjointed at times, making it harder to maintain engagement.

The Age of Video Games is a solid read for those interested in gaming history and culture, but it may leave more experienced gamers or industry enthusiasts wanting a bit more depth.

I really enjoyed this book. Following along with the story was easy especially given that it is a graphic novel. The art style is adorable. I love how it references all these old video games as well as newer ones which could appeal to everyone.

Thank you for gifting me an early copy of The Age of Video Games!

I loved how they introduced the authors of the book by putting them in a story. They are the main characters of the book and because of that it does not feel like someone is explaining us something. However, because they are explaining facts and the history of video games, a lot of text is present and after a while, I felt like it was a bit long.
The concept was just amazing! In almost each chapter they would rediscover a video game that was representative of a certain year/period and the evolution of video games.
It was nice to learn fun facts as well as names of video games I had never heard of. The chapter focusing on e-sport was also interesting to read as it is something quite new and that I do not know much about.
The end was also really fun, I enjoyed it!

The Age of Video Games: A Graphic History from Pong to VR and Beyond by Jean Zeid & Émilie Rouge

For fans of joysticks, cartridges, and pixelated nostalgia, The Age of Video Games offers a lively, illustrated romp through the evolution of gaming. Authors Jean Zeid amd illustrator Émilie Rouge deliver a vibrant chronicle that spans from the humble bleeps of *Pong* to the immersive realms of virtual reality, making it a delightful pick-up for anyone who’s ever gripped a controller.

The book’s greatest strength lies in its sprawling tour of gaming history. Readers will find themselves playing a mental game of “have I played this?” as iconic titles, consoles, and industry milestones flash by. From Pac-Man to minecraft and beyond the journey is peppered with familiar faces and lesser-known gems, ensuring both casual gamers and seasoned enthusiasts will uncover something to spark curiosity. While self-professed gaming and history buffs may find much of the content familiar, the authors sprinkle in enough obscure trivia to send even experts down a Wikipedia rabbit hole.

Visually, the graphic-novel-style illustrations by Émilie Rouge are playful and colorful, though they may not win over every reader. The art’s whimsical, cartoonish flair suits the lighthearted tone of the book, but those craving hyper-detailed renderings of their favorite franchises might find it a tad simplistic. That said, art is subjective—some will adore its retro charm, while others might shrug.

At its core, The Age of Video Games succeeds as an accessible, engaging primer on gaming’s past. It doesn’t aim to be an exhaustive academic deep dive but rather a celebratory homage to the medium’s creativity and cultural impact. Whether you’re a parent introducing your kids to Super Mario lore or a Gen Z gamer curious about the pre-Xbox era, this book is a breezy, entertaining gateway into the stories behind the screens.
3 stars out of 5.
Press start and dive in!

Thanks to Andrews McMeel publishing for providing this book for review through netgalley all opinions are my own.

#TheAgeofVideoGames #NetGalley

This graphic novel goes through the history of video games from early game systems to modern gaming and everything in between. It is interesting, informative, and entertaining. As a casual gamer, I learned quite a bit and was sharing some of the fun facts with those around me.
The artwork is lovely and does a great job representing the games and creators as well.

I don’t believe I was the target audience for this graphic novel. I was excited to learn about the history of video games as I’m trying to get in more non-fiction reading this year. The art style is fantastic and I enjoying looking at the cells. The plot was a bit light and there was a lot of data dumping. I learned a decent amount but it wasn’t a fun exploration.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing us to preview this graphic novel.

I really enjoyed discovering this graphic novel. From a drawing point of view, I wasn't very convinced by the cartoony style at first, but the further you get into the story, the more you realize that it works very well with the different eras/designs of the games, so all in all, I think it's pretty well done. The universes of the games presented are recognizable, and the illustrator's artistic is also evident.

As for the theme, I think it's pretty well done. We see a wide range of video games through its history, from retro game to Sims, from 2D games to virtual reality games. There are lots of names and dates, so you can get a bit lost, but this graphic novel should be seen as an encyclopedia.

The humorous note at the end of the novel adds a little something to the stories that keeps us turning the pages. In short, I recommend this great book to fans of video games of all kinds. I've already got an idea of what I'd like to give him as a present, it's so complete.

Anyway, happy reading!

Eve

The Age of Video Games is a graphic novel covering the history of videogames as a medium. The two authors alongside a mascot appear as characters that guide us through history and across the globe.

There were parts of this that worked very well for me and parts that didn't. Let's start with the good. I enjoyed learning more about the history of videogames, a medium I have loved for as long as I can remember. It was great to see franchises I love appear throughout the book alongside learning new tidbits about the gaming industry. The authors take care to spotlight diversity in gender, race, and sexuality.

However I constantly got pulled out of the flow of the story by the characters guiding us through the history of videogames. They are bland stereotypes that don't quite feel appropriate for an adult audience. The jokes they make don't land and are at times even mildly offensive. I also didn't enjoy the way they included millenial slang on top of the game slang that isn't always used in the correct fashion.

The art though is wonderful. The semi-realistic art style suits the informative storytelling and most real life people are well depicted. Some smaller nitpicks I have was that Twitch as a platform wasn't mentioned. Also the subtitle isn't quite accurate since there wasn't much speculation about where the gaming industry will go in the future.

Overall this graphic novel is a fun way, packaged in a neat art style, to learn about the gaming industry. While I personally didn't enjoy the characters leading us around, not everyone will feel bothered by this. The Age of Video Games would make a great gift for anyone that enjoys videogames.

The Age of Video Games is a fantastic introduction to video game history. I especially appreciate how comprehensive it is, while still remaining fun.

OKAMI MENTION 10/10 BOOK FOR THAT ALONE

Serious review: What a lovely way to present and honour the history of video games that really manages to touch up all aspects of the industry! From Pong to even the current day mention of Genshin Impact and the impact of mobile free-to-play games!