How to Care for Hardcover Video Game Books So They Last

Quick answer

Store hardcover game books upright on a sturdy shelf, support them with bookends so they cannot lean, and keep them out of direct sun and damp rooms. Handle them with clean, dry hands, open them gently from the middle rather than cracking the spine, and shelve them by size so heavier volumes do not press down on smaller ones.

Hardcover video game books are built to survive repeated reading, but they are not indestructible. The enemies are predictable: sunlight, moisture, heat, dust, and the way you pull them off the shelf. Fix those and a reference book can stay tight and square for decades.

This guide walks through a simple care routine, from the moment a book arrives to long-term hardcover book storage. It applies to any oversized game history volume, including the ones Limited Run Games carries, and it takes about ten minutes to set up properly.

Start with a clean, stable shelf

Choose a shelf that is level, dry, and away from radiators, vents, and windows. Heat and humidity swings do more long-term harm than almost anything else, because they warp boards and encourage mold in the page block. A closed bookcase in a living space is usually safer than a garage, attic, or basement.

Shelve books upright rather than stacked. Vertical storage lets each volume support itself on its own boards instead of carrying the weight of everything above it. If a shelf is only partly full, add bookends so the row cannot lean and warp the spines.

• Keep shelves at least a few inches off the floor to avoid dust and accidental spills.
• Avoid direct sunlight, which fades dust jackets and can yellow page edges over time.

Handle spines and pages gently

The spine is the structural hinge of a hardcover book, so treat it as the part you protect, not the part you grab. Pull a book off the shelf by pushing the two neighboring volumes back and gripping the middle of the spine, or by reaching over the top and tipping it forward. Never hook a finger into the head of the spine and yank.

When you open a new or stiff book, lay it on a flat surface and open it a little from the middle outward, letting the pages settle before you press it flat. This is basic book spine care: it trains the hinges without cracking the glue. Avoid forcing a book open past its natural angle, and never fold pages or use thick bookmarks that strain the binding.

• Keep drinks and snacks away from the reading area; a single spill can stain a page block permanently.
• Use a thin paper bookmark or a strip of acid-free card instead of dog-earing pages.

Control light, dust, and moisture

Dust is abrasive and holds moisture against paper, so dust shelves and book tops regularly with a soft, dry cloth or a vacuum brush attachment on low suction. If you live in a humid climate, a small dehumidifier or silica gel packets near the shelf can help, but do not place packets directly against the books.

For display, rotate books out of direct light or use a case with doors. If you want to protect game reference books that still have their dust jackets, leave the jacket on; it takes the wear so the boards do not. A clear, acid-free jacket cover adds another layer if you handle a volume often.

• Aim for stable indoor conditions rather than chasing a specific humidity number.
• Keep books away from kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry areas where moisture spikes.

Store and transport with support

When a book leaves the shelf, put it in a padded bag or a snug box rather than a loose tote. Oversized hardcovers are heavy, and a corner that takes a hit can crush the board and tear the hinge. If you ship or move a collection, pack books flat and fill empty space so they cannot slide.

For long-term hardcover book storage, avoid sealing books in non-breathable plastic, which can trap moisture. Paper or acid-free tissue in a sturdy box is a safer choice. Label boxes by size and weight so you do not stack a heavy volume on a lighter one.

• Never store books directly on concrete, which can wick moisture into the boards.
• If a book feels cold or damp when it arrives, let it reach room temperature before shelving.

Your hardcover care routine, step by step

1. 1. Inspect on arrival: Check the spine, corners, and page block for shipping damage before shelving. Note any existing wear so you can tell later whether your storage is causing new problems. Checkpoint: a new book should sit flat and open without a cracking sound.
2. 2. Pick the right shelf: Choose a level, dry, shaded shelf away from vents and windows, and size the space to the tallest book you own. Mistake to avoid: cramming an oversized volume under a low shelf, which crushes the head and tail of the spine.
3. 3. Shelve upright with support: Stand books vertically and use bookends so the row stays snug but not squeezed. Leave a little room to pull a book out without dragging its neighbors. Mistake to avoid: stacking heavy hardcovers horizontally, which puts pressure on the pages and can distort the boards.
4. 4. Handle from the middle: Pull books by the center of the spine or by tipping them forward from the top. Open stiff books gradually from the middle before pressing them flat. Mistake to avoid: hooking a finger into the top of the spine, the fastest way to tear a hinge.
5. 5. Keep the environment stable: Dust regularly with a dry cloth, keep books out of direct sun, and avoid damp rooms. Leave dust jackets on to absorb handling wear. Checkpoint: if pages feel cool or limp, the room is too damp for long-term storage.
6. 6. Store extras safely: Use padded bags or snug boxes for transport and acid-free paper or tissue for long-term storage. Never seal books in non-breathable plastic. Mistake to avoid: storing books on bare concrete, which wicks moisture into the boards.

What this looks like on real Limited Run Games books

• The NES Era Vol. 2 (Hardcover): This second oversized hardcover coffee table book chronicles the NES era and is an open pre-order for a limited time. Oversized hardcovers need a deep shelf and firm bookends; a standard paperback shelf will let this volume lean and warp.
• NES Works 1985-86 (Hardcover): This hardcover covers Nintendo's 1985 U.S. launch of the Nintendo Entertainment System and the nationwide rollout that followed. A reference book you will open often benefits most from gentle spine handling and a dust-free, out-of-sunlight spot.
• Phoenix Edition 5 - Vol. A (Hardcover): Phoenix has been regarded as the Bible of Video Game History since its first edition in 1994. Long-running reference series reward stable storage; keeping volumes together and upright makes them easier to consult without stress on the bindings.

Good hardcover care is mostly about small habits: shelve upright, support the row, keep light and moisture away, and open books gently. Do that and your game reference books will stay readable and collectible for a long time.