A Handheld History is the ultimate guide for portable players and nostalgic retro gamers – James Ide

New book details the rise of the games and handheld consoles that defined many of our childhoods

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Retro Dodo announces new book A Handheld History

Handheld consoles hold a very dear place in my heart, as a kid, we couldn’t afford the latest games consoles and we didn’t always have a TV, so a handheld console opened a whole world of gaming to me.

These complicated, self-contained game systems, while limited by their smaller screens and portable technology were often forced to be more creative and experimental, which ended up creating some incredible games and experiences like no other.

My first love was Nintendo’s Game Boy Pocket, the system had painfully primitive technology even for the 90s, but it captured my imagination and my pocket money between the occasional new title and buying dozen of AA batteries. To this day I’m astounded by the ingenuity of the creators and developers who managed to make games that worked around the limitations of the hardware.

My love of these systems has continued to this day, with my most recent purchase being a PS Vita, and eagerly awaiting a Steam Deck but there are still many more calling to me.

Today’s portable games consoles have evolved so far and become so powerful, with systems like The Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck or even the latest mobile phones can offer a nearly indistinguishable gaming experience from their console counterparts and are more than capable of running the blockbuster consoles games of yesteryear too, creating a blend of nostalgia, brilliant design, and portability.

Lost In Cult in collaboration with Retro Dodo has announced their latest project A Handheld History – a crowdfunded gaming book that chronicles and discusses the in-depth history of these small but mighty devices and their journey to the powerhouse they have become today.

“Handheld gaming is a cornerstone tenet of the industry, one that has spawned communities who exchange Miis on the subway and Pokemon on the playground. Friendships were made in this pocket of the medium, and it ought to be celebrated loudly, proudly, and across hundreds of beautifully-assembled pages of art and essays. Featuring words from Jason Bradbury, Janet Garcia, Jeff Grubb, Mike Diver, Larry Bundy Jr., Ashens and many more incredible voices, this is an unmissable ode to the gaming device that you keep close to your heart—right in your jacket pocket.”

Retro Dodo describes the upcoming book as:

“Less of a historical account and more of a poignant, introspective adventure across decades of gaming memories, this book will reconnect you to that long car trip full of Tetriminos, Mewtwos, and discarded AA batteries”

Lost In Cult is an indie publisher that produces premium coffee table books about gaming and was founded by director Jon Doyle in 2021 to publish [lock-on].

[lock-on] is a premium gaming journal delivering stories, featuring carefully curated art and offers a detailed look at gaming and its community.

After seeing Brandon Saltalamacchia, The founder of Retro dodo ’s announcement video discussing the idea to create an unofficial book focusing on handheld systems I can see he is very much a man after my own heart.

“I’ll never forget the vivid memories I have of opening up Pokémon Yellow on my 8 ^th Birthday or the times I would hold sleepovers with my friends just so I could trade Pokémon and play multiplayer games through the link cable inside of handmade pillow forts”

Retro Dodo was founded in 2019 by Brandon Saltalamacchia and is an online magazine, and YouTube channel, dedicated to showcasing the world’s best retro games and modern handheld products.

A Handheld History tells the story of these handheld heroes from their humble origins and Gunpei Yokoi’s inspiration of the Game & Watch to contemporary AAA, high-definition games on the go.

The book was funded within 24 hours and has currently managed to raise an impressive £34,500.

This 252-page book (Hardcover version) will be shipping in August and those who have ordered the Deluxe hardcover edition will also receive an individually numbered issue of a limited never to be reprinted run.

There are two versions of the book currently available for Pre-order, the standard edition sells for £34.99 and the Deluxe edition will be £49.99.

But why would you pick up the Deluxe Edition and pay the extra?

The Deluxe Edition includes is a Hardcover book you also received a Digital Edition of the book via Members club, a Unique Numbered Obi Strip A3 Litho Printed Poster of Cover art (Landscape) by Stephen Graham (which can be bought separately) 5x A5 Photo Prints by B B Retro (Also sold separately) Foiled Bookmark Name in the book Digital wallpapers (via Members club)

The wonderful cover art is by illustrator Stephen Maurice Graham but will also feature art from BB Retro, Yasmeen Abedifard, Sam McKenzie, Nuri Durr and Raul Figtree.

Funding for A Handheld History will close Sat, 9 May 2022 and Pre-orders will ship in August 2022.