Power-Up: How Japanese Video Games Gave the World an Extra Life

Description

"Chris Kohler brings the passionate intensity of a hardcore fan to his writing, but he also has the background knowledge and the critical facilities to explore video games as an industry, as a medium, and as a cultural phenomenon." — Wired. Why are Japanese video games a worldwide sensation? This enjoyable and informative survey explores the reasons, starting with how Japanese developers raised the medium to an art form. The book also traces the ways in which the developers' ideas infused popular culture beyond the gaming world. Interviews, anecdotes, and personal accounts offer insights from giants of the industry, including Shigeru Miyamoto, Hideo Kojima, and others involved in the creation of Donkey Kong, Mario, Pokémon, and other games. This revised edition includes updated material throughout the book as well as a new bonus chapter. "While it appears that Japanese gaming is on the wane today, it's worth your time to read about an era when nothing could be further from the truth." — IGN "Quite excellent... a great read." — Hardcore Gaming 101 "Direct and insightful ... I believe that it belongs on the top shelf of any collector." — Steve Kent, author of The Ultimate History of Video Games Author’s Note Title Page Dedication Copyright Page Contents Foreword Introduction to the 2016 Edition Introduction to the 2004 Edition Chapter 1: Super Mario Nation Chapter 2: An Early History of Cinematic Elements in Video Games Chapter 3: The Play Control of Power Fantasies: Nintendo, Super Mario, and Shigeru Miyamoto Chapter 4: Quests and Fantasies: The Japanese RPG Chapter 5: Game Music, Music Games Chapter 6: A Tale of Two Gaijin Chapter 7: Adventures In Akihabara: The Japanese Game Marketplace Chapter 8: Lost in Transration: This Game Are Sick Chapter 9: Pokémon: Shikaku Sedai No Sekai Shôhin Chapter 10: Future Games Conclusion: Thank You, Mario [But Our Profits Are In Another Country] Bonus 2016 Chapter: Iwata Dreams of Video Games Bibliography Endnotes by Chapter Index Photo Credits Acknowledgements About the Author