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The Definitive Book of SNES RPGs Vol. 1
The Definitive Book of SNES RPGs Vol. 1 by Bitmap Books is a 550+ page hardcover deep-dive into 22 Super Nintendo role-playing games – packed with restored pixel art, developer quotes, and passionate essays.
- 556 pages, hardcover, foil-blocked cover, gold bookmark ribbon
- 22 SNES RPGs from A to K – including Chrono Trigger, EarthBound, Final Fantasy II & III
- Written by Moses Norton, foreword by Alex Donaldson (RPG Site)
- Premium edge-to-edge lithographic print, sewn binding
The Definitive Book of SNES RPGs – Far More Than Nostalgia
The Super Nintendo was the golden age of role-playing games. No other system shaped the genre quite like Nintendo's 16-bit powerhouse – and with the Definitive Book of SNES RPGs Vol. 1, that legacy finally gets the monument it deserves.
Author and game critic Moses Norton (known online as „The Well-Red Mage") has crafted a 550+ page work that goes far beyond a simple ranking list. It is a deep study of the artistry, ideology, and legacy of SNES RPGs – with a scope and methodology never before attempted in any published work. Norton set out to understand not just what these games contain – but what they mean.
What to Expect
Built around a collection of essays, the book asks: Why do these RPGs still top „best of" lists 30 years on? Why do fans still clamour for remakes and remasters? What philosophies animated their pixels and prose?
- In-depth, essay-style coverage of each of the 22 games
- Developer quotes and previously unpublished insider knowledge
- Restored artworks and rare box covers from multiple regions
- Comprehensive release timeline of the Super Nintendo in tech history
- Contributions from over three dozen guest writers and gaming experts
- Foreword by Alex Donaldson, founder of RPG Site and the Mist Network
No Japanese Exclusives
Worth knowing: The book focuses exclusively on SNES RPGs that were originally released outside Japan. Japan-exclusive titles such as Dragon Quest V, Final Fantasy V, or Live A Live are therefore not covered – the scope is deliberately focused on the Western-released canon.
Why Two Volumes?
Covering all 46 RPGs in the required depth would have resulted in a 1,000+ page book. Instead, the project was split into two volumes: Vol. 1 covers A–K, with Vol. 2 following for L–Y. You're holding the first part of an ambitious two-volume set.
Book Specs
- 556 pages, hardcover
- Format: 216 mm × 279 mm
- Foil-blocked cover
- Gold bookmark ribbon
- Edge-to-edge high quality lithographic print
- Sewn binding – lays flat for ideal double-page image viewing
- Volumetric weight: approx. 3 kg
The Cover Art
The cover artwork was created by professional fantasy artist Stephen Sitton (aka Stumpyfongo), featuring iconic RPG villains Kefka Palazzo, the Goddess Tyr, and Lavos – a genuine eye-catcher on any shelf.
Strengths and Weaknesses at a Glance
- Strength: Unmatched depth and intellectual rigour – no other book treats these games this seriously
- Strength: Print quality and production values are absolutely top-tier
- Strength: 22 games with restored pixel art and box covers from multiple regions
- Weakness: Only Western-released titles – Japanese exclusives are entirely absent
Games Covered (A–K)
Show all 22 games
| The 7th Saga | ActRaiser |
| Arcana | Brain Lord |
| Brandish | Breath of Fire |
| Breath of Fire II | Chrono Trigger |
| Dragon View | Drakkhen |
| Dungeon Master | EarthBound |
| EVO: Search for Eden | Eye of the Beholder |
| Final Fantasy II (IV) | Final Fantasy III (VI) |
| Final Fantasy Mystic Quest | Illusion of Gaia |
| Inindo: Way of the Ninja | J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings |
| King of Dragons | Knights of the Round |
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