Book description
Breaking down the 40-year history of the world's most popular art form, one video game at a time Pong. The Legend of Zelda.Final Fantasy VII. Rock Band.Fortnite. Animal Crossing: New Horizons. For each of the 40 years of video game history, there is a defining game, a game that captured the zeitgeist and left a legacy for all games that followed. Through a series of entertaining, informative, and opinionated critical essays, author and tech journalist Jordan Minor investigates, in chronological order, the innovative, genre-bending, and earth-shattering games from 1977 through 2022. Minor explores development stories, critical reception, and legacy, and also looks at how gaming intersects with and eventually influences society at large while reveling in how uniquely and delightfully bizarre even the most famous games tend to be. From portly plumbers to armor-clad space marines and the speedy rodents in between, Video Game of the Year paints individual portraits that, as a whole, give readers a stronger appreciation for the vibrant variety and long-lasting impact of this fresh, exciting, and massively popular art form. Illustrated throughout with retro-inspired imagery and featuring contributions from dozens of leading industry voices, including New York Times bestselling author Jason Schreier (Blood, Sweat, and Pixels; Kotaku), Max Scoville (IGN), Rebekah Valentine (IGN), Blessing Adeoye Jr. (Kinda Funny), and Devindra Hardawar (Engadget), this year-by-year anthology is a loving reflection on the world's most popular art form. Featured Games: 1977 - Pong; 1978 - Space Invaders; 1979 - Speed Freak; 1980 - Pac-Man; 1981 - Donkey Kong; 1982 - Pitfall!; 1983 - Dragon's Lair; 1984 - Tetris; 1985 - Super Mario Bros.; 1986 - Dragon Quest; 1987 - The Legend of Zelda; 1988 - Mega Man 2; 1989 - SimCity; 1990 - The Secret of Monkey Island; 1991 - Sonic the Hedgehog; 1992 - Wolfenstein 3D; 1993 - NBA Jam; 1994 - Super Street Fighter II Turbo; 1995 - Donkey Kong Country 2; 1996 - Super Mario 64; 1997 - Final Fantasy VII; 1998 - Metal Gear Solid; 1999 - System Shock 2; 2000 Counter-Strike; 2001 - Halo: Combat Evolved; 2002 - Grand Theft Auto: Vice City; 2003 - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker; 2004 - World of Warcraft; 2005 - Resident Evil 4; 2006 - Wii Sports; 2007 - Rock Band; 2008 - Spore; 2009 - Uncharted 2; 2010 - Super Meat Boy; 2011 - Minecraft; 2012 - Telltale's The Walking Dead; 2013 - Depression Quest; 2014 - Destiny; 2015 - The Witcher 3; 2016 - Pokรฉmon Go; 2017 - Fortnite; 2018 - Super Smash Bros. Ultimate; 2019 - Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice; 2020 - Animal Crossing: New Horizons; 2022 - The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe
Zorkle Sporkle
ListenBook has taken my audio content to new heights, making every moment more meaningful. The app's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically is a huge time-saver.
Club Nola
ListenBook has added a new dimension to my audiobook listening experience โ it's not just about the content, but the convenience too. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio โ from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. This app has turned my cooking sessions into culinary adventures with a side of stories. Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless.
Black Fantastic
Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. ๐โจ The appโs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itโs perfect for my needs.
Uncle Buddy
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Admiral Tot
I've started a book club with my friends, and this app has been our go-to source for titles. ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. Accessing literary treasures has never been this straightforward โ thank you, app! The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight.
The Flying Mouse
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Pearl Girl
๐ Whether I'm cooking, commuting, or relaxing at home, this app's seamless functionality keeps me engaged in captivating narratives. ๐งโจ Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze.
Solitaire
Audiobooks have never been this accessible and enjoyable. This app's compatibility with various formats and its emphasis on user experience have made it an essential tool for me. ๐ฑ๐ ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts.
Devil Chick
โญ๏ธ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality โ I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. ๐๐ง Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content. ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player Iโve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend! It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Taffy Duchess
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, all thanks to this app. With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting โ pure magic! The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Liquid Death
ListenBook's commitment to providing top-notch audio quality has taken my audiobook experience to a new level. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates into my life, enhancing every moment with stories. Accessing literary treasures has never been this straightforward โ thank you, app! Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful feature. Sharing is caring!
Moon Solitaire
ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly. ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Kamikaze Grandma
The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. ๐ผ Making work hours enjoyable โ audiobooks turn my tasks into learning opportunities and moments of joy. ๐ป๐ Effortless audiobook management โ this app's usability is impressive. Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams!
New York Mood
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. This app's sleek design and effortless controls have made audiobook listening an immersive experience. ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy.
Mum Mary
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. Say goodbye to monotony โ this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. ๐ฑ๐
Are Ess Tee
๐ก The future of audiobook listening is here โ this app's sleek functionality redefines how we enjoy our favorite stories. ๐ง๐ฎ The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality.
Troublemasher
I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices. ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. No more carrying heavy books โ this app has transformed my reading habits. ๐๏ธ This app's user-friendly interface has transformed my daily walks into immersive storytelling sessions. Kudos to the developers! ๐ถโโ๏ธ๐
Bitmap
ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. This app is like a personal audiobook concierge! The ability to download and organize audio files effortlessly is a game-changer for my reading routine. ๐ฑ๐ Binaural audio processing is a game-changer โ my ears stay comfortable during long listening sessions. Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly. The app's support for multiple formats is flawless. Very satisfied.
Spellbinder
I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface. Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app!
Devil Bread
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs. The interface is so clean and clutter-free. Itโs a pleasure to use.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience