This is a video game analysis, and reference guide, detailing the history, and technology of home console video games, and home computers. From the first Video game system, the Magnavox Odyssey, up until 2012. It has many color photographs, as well as screen shots from some of the most well known games. There are technical specifications for each system, as well as descriptions of various accessories that were produced for these systems. This was first in a series of books signally published in German, covering many aspects of the video industry, this appears to be the only one translated and published in English. The book was originally written in 2002 with the German title "Spielkonsolen und Heimcomputer", which has been updated several times, first in 2005, then in 2009, and again in 2015. Books in this series; * Spielkonsolen und Heim-Computer: 256 Geräte von 1972-2002 {ISBN: 3000106588} December 01, 2002 * Spielkonsolen und Heimcomputer 1972-2005 {GamePlan 1.5} {ISBN: 3000152903} January 1, 2005 ** The Encyclopedia of Game Machines: Consoles, Handhelds & Home Computers 1972-–2005 {ISBN: 3000153594} September 1, 2006 * Spielkonsolen und Heimcomputer 1972-2009 {ISBN: 3000246584} June 1, 2009 ** Game Machines: 1972-2012, The encyclopedia of consoles, handhelds and home Computers {ISBN: 0987830503} * Spielkonsolen und Heimcomputer 1972 bis 2015 {ISBN: 3000481427} April 28, 2015 * Joysticks: Eine illustrierte Geschichte der Game-Controller 1972 - 2004 {Gameplan 2} {ISBN: 3000121838} November 1, 2003 * Computer- und Video-Spielmacher {ISBN: 3000215840} December 1, 2008 * Volks Computer {ISBN: 3000238484} Feberuray 22, 2011