La era NES Vol. 1: capítulos clave y lo que aprenderás

Quick answer

The NES Era Vol. 1 is a hardcover NES history book by Jeremy Parish that catalogs early NES games with photos and commentary. Buy it if you want a shelf-ready reference for the console's formative years. Skip it if you only want the later, more comprehensive NES Era Vol. 3, which covers over 220 games from Nintendo, Atari, INTV, and Sega.

If you're building a retro game library, The NES Era Vol. 1 is one of those books you'll actually pull off the shelf—not just display. It's a hardcover history of the NES's early years, and it sits alongside later volumes like The NES Era Vol. 3 (Hardcover) and the NES Works series. The question isn't whether it's good; it's whether it's the right volume for your shelf.

This guide breaks down what Vol. 1 covers, how it differs from Vol. 3 and other NES history books, and the trade-offs you should weigh before buying. I'll also flag where the catalog facts are thin so you can decide if you need to see the book in person or check a sample page before committing.

What The NES Era Vol. 1 Actually Covers

The NES Era Vol. 1 is a hardcover book by Jeremy Parish that documents the early NES library. It's part of a multi-volume series, and the first volume focuses on the console's launch window and the games that defined its initial identity. Expect a mix of photography, game-by-game commentary, and historical context rather than a dry list of release dates.

The exact chapter list isn't supplied in the catalog facts, so I can't promise a specific game count or page total for Vol. 1. What I can say is that the series format is consistent: each volume covers a slice of the NES timeline, and later volumes expand the scope. If you want the broadest single-volume overview, Vol. 3 covers more than 220 games from Nintendo, Atari, INTV, and Sega.

• Check the product page for a sample spread before buying if page count matters to you.
• Vol. 1 is best treated as the starting point of the series, not the finale.

How Vol. 1 Compares to Vol. 3 and Other NES Books

The NES Era Vol. 3 (Hardcover) is the most directly comparable book in the catalog. It's described as 'The NES Revolution: The NES Era Vol. III' and covers more than 220 games from Nintendo, Atari, INTV, and Sega. It's also an open pre-order for a limited time and will not be reprinted, so it's a one-shot purchase. Vol. 1, by contrast, is the earlier slice of the same project.

If you already own NES Works 1985-86 or NES Works 1987, you may find overlap in the early-years coverage. The NES Era series is a different presentation—more photographic atlas than chronological essay—so the two can coexist on a shelf without feeling redundant. But if you only want one NES history book, pick the volume that matches the era you care about most.

• Vol. 3 is the broader single-volume reference; Vol. 1 is the focused starting point.
• If you're torn, buy the volume covering the games you actually played as a kid.

Hardcover Details and Shelf Presence

All three NES Era volumes in the catalog are hardcover, which matters more than it sounds. Hardcover reference books hold up to repeated flipping, resist spine cracking, and look intentional on a shelf next to your cartridge collection. The NES Era Vol. 3 (Hardcover) is priced at USD 37.49 against a catalog comparison price of USD 74.99, and it's a limited pre-order that won't be reprinted.

One honest limitation: the catalog doesn't list page counts, trim sizes, or paper stock for these books. If you're the kind of collector who cares about those specs, you'll need to check the product page or ask before ordering. For most readers, the hardcover format and the series reputation are enough to justify the purchase.

• Hardcover is the right call if you plan to actually read the book, not just display it.
• Limited pre-orders mean you may not get a second chance at the same price.

Who Should Buy Vol. 1 First

Buy Vol. 1 first if you're new to the NES Era series and want to start at the beginning. It's the natural entry point, and it gives you a feel for the format before you commit to the later, larger volumes. It also works as a gift for someone who grew up with the NES and wants a readable history rather than a wiki dump.

Buy Vol. 3 first if you want the widest coverage in one purchase. It spans more than 220 games across multiple publishers, and the limited pre-order window makes it the more time-sensitive buy. If you're only going to own one NES history book, Vol. 3 is the safer single-volume choice based on the catalog facts.

• New to the series? Start with Vol. 1.
• Want maximum coverage in one book? Go with Vol. 3.

Decision rules for buying NES Era Vol. 1

• You want the start of the series: Buy Vol. 1 if you're new to the NES Era books and want to begin at the beginning of the timeline. Best entry point for first-time readers.
• You want the widest coverage: Buy The NES Era Vol. 3 (Hardcover) instead—it covers more than 220 games and is a limited pre-order that won't be reprinted. Choose Vol. 3 if you only want one NES history book.
• You already own NES Works 1985-86 or 1987: Check for overlap in the early-years coverage before adding Vol. 1. The formats differ, but the eras overlap. Buy Vol. 1 only if the photographic atlas format appeals to you.
• You need exact page counts or trim sizes: The catalog doesn't list those specs. Check the product page or ask before ordering if specs are a dealbreaker. Don't assume specs that aren't listed.

Catalog facts that affect your decision

• The NES Era Vol. 3 (Hardcover): Covers more than 220 games from Nintendo, Atari, INTV, and Sega. It's an open pre-order for a limited time and will not be reprinted. This is the broadest single-volume NES reference in the catalog, and the no-reprint policy makes it a one-chance purchase.
• -30- A PlayStation Retrospective (Hardcover): A medium-format photo essay tribute to the original PlayStation with more than 180 oversized pages of commentary on the system's biggest and most interesting games. If you're deciding between NES and PlayStation history, this shows the same publisher's approach to a different console era.
• We Love Mystery Dungeon (Hardcover): A hardcover book about the console roguelike, tracing the genre back to Rogue in 1980 and its principles of permadeath, procedural generation, and infinite challenge. Useful comparison if you want a genre-focused hardcover instead of a platform-focused NES history.

Is Vol. 1 right for you?

Best for

• Readers starting the NES Era series and wanting the first volume
• NES fans who want a hardcover photographic history of the console's early years
• Gift buyers looking for a readable retro gaming reference book

Not for

• Collectors who want the broadest single-volume NES coverage—choose The NES Era Vol. 3 (Hardcover) instead
• Readers who already own NES Works 1985-86 and want no overlap in era coverage
• Buyers who need exact page counts or trim sizes confirmed before purchase

The NES Era Vol. 1 is the right starting point if you want to begin the series at the beginning and you value a hardcover photographic history over a single-volume reference. If you'd rather own one comprehensive NES book, put your money toward The NES Era Vol. 3 (Hardcover) before its limited pre-order closes.