"[This book] contains contributions by a handful of my favorite writers, so even though I haven't yet got a galley-glimpse of the finished product, I can just about guarantee it's going to be a good one...should you make your way chronologically through its list, probably will indeed just about last you all of your remaining years." ~BoingBoing.net

"Compiled by an international team of critics, 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die is a collection of chronologically-ordered games from the 70s to 2010." ~Kotaku.com

For devoted gamers as well as those interested in groundbreaking graphic design, this is the first, most comprehensive, and only critical guide ever published to video games. The video game has arrived as entertainment and as an art form. This is the first serious critical evaluation ever published of the best video games and is a testament to the medium's innovativeness and increasing emphasis on aesthetics. Organized chronologically and for all platforms (PC, Xbox, PlayStation, etc.) and covering all genres from the bold (Grand Theft Auto and Halo) and dark (Resident Evil and Silent Hill) to the spiritual (Final Fantasy) and whimsical (Legend of Zelda), the book traces the video game from the rough early days of Pong to the latest visual fantasia.

Review by gamertell.com

Pros: A lot of great games get a bit of literary glory, some decent writing for such small space for each game and a grand amount of nostalgic appeal.
Cons: Several questionable formatting decisions, a few underwhelming descriptions and some listings lack photos. Too many franchise games listed when only a few key games in the series would suffice.
Overall: It’s an extremely enjoyable coffee table book and a wonderful holiday gift for any gamer. At the very least it will stimulate several hours of reading and intense online debates between older gamers.