Bitmap Books

Review of Bitmap Books

If you’re a fan of retro video gaming, collector-quality books, or beautifully designed coffee-table art volumes, then Bitmap Books is absolutely worth your attention. Here’s a detailed review of what they do well, and a few caveats to consider.

✅ What works really well

• Exceptional print & production quality:
  Bitmap Books state that they pursue “the highest quality… most visually splendid gaming books ever produced”. 
  For example, their The GBA Pixel Book features 300 pages, heavy gloss paper, sewn binding, and even a board slipcase.
  The result: pages lay flat, images pop, and you get the tangible premium feel many book-lovers crave.

• Strong editorial and visual content:
  Many titles dive deep into gaming history, genres, systems, and art. One title, 50 Indie Games That Changed the World, features 50 games, concept art, developer interviews, and over 450 pages (for example). 
  Bitmap clearly work with experienced writers, designers and industry veterans.
  So if you want substance as well as style, they deliver.

• Great niche for retro and premium book fans:
  If you grew up playing older game consoles (SNES, Game Boy Advance, Amiga, etc) or just appreciate high-end collectibles, Bitmap Books has positioned itself very well. Their catalogue is broad and specialised.
  Also shipping & packaging gets strong mentions:

  “I had opportunity to buy many retro books … this is the way it should be done!” 

⚠️ Some caveats / things to consider

• Price point & size: These books are premium-priced. For example one book is listed at £34.99 GBP (or similar) for hardcover and premium finishes. If you’re on a tighter budget, that might feel steep.

• Shipping / import to Vietnam / Southeast Asia: Although they ship globally and list many “Shipping Locations” and “Import FAQ” information. International shipping, customs, VAT/import tax may still add cost or delay (especially in Vietnam).

• Niche appeal: If you’re not into retro gaming, consoles, or detailed history/visuals of older games, then the value-proposition may feel less strong. These are collector/enthusiast books more than casual reading.

• Availability / print runs: Some titles may sell out or go to re-print. The company encourages pre-orders and notes titles “Coming Soon”.

🎯 My verdict

Overall, Bitmap Books represent a very strong offering for anyone who loves video game history, collectible books, and high-end print design. They manage to balance quality visuals, deep editorial content, and a passion for the subject matter.
If I were to give a score: I’d say 4.5 out of 5 stars — losing half a star only because of the high price and niche focus (which might not suit everyone).

If you’re thinking of buying one of their books, here are a few tips:

• Look at which system/genre you care about most (SNES, GBA, indie games, etc).

• Check shipping cost to your region and estimate any import duties.

• If you’re buying for someone else, these make excellent gifts — presentation matters.

• If you’re a regular retro-gaming book buyer, consider ordering directly from the publisher to benefit from packaging and tracking. (Some reviews emphasise this.) 

🔗 Product & Website Links

• Visit our main website: Bitmap Books