The Video Game Library Newsletter - Vol. #038
Gotta Read 'Em All! 5 big Pokémon book news stories, plus Super Nintendo, Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest and more!
Welcome back to The Video Game Library Newsletter!
Had meant to get this out in time to catch some breakfast-time reading, but it just wasn’t meant to be! The good news is, there are some really fun new announcements and releases to cover this week.
For all you Pokémon fans, we’ve got 5 big news stories in the rundown, as well as mags and manga from Spain, France, Finland and beyond!
The Video Game Library volunteers absolutely killed it this week, with some amazing cataloguing work across the decades. We’re actually looking for 1 more passionate volunteer who can dedicate some time each day to helping us research and catalogue. If that sounds like you, reach out - would love to chat!
Will keep the intro short this week. Let’s get scrolling!
📰 News & Highlights
Want to kick things off with a huge congrats to Keza MacDonald on the released of her new book, Super Nintendo! This one has been (deservedly) everywhere on social media, and it’s been so great to see the positive reception. I was lucky enough to get an early copy, and I loved this book!
Don’t think a week has gone by in these newsletters without at least 1 Pocket Monster announcement, but this week got a pentalogy of releases! First up, Scholastic released Pokémon: Head-to-Head, written by series veteran Simcha Whitehill. Nearly 100 pages of battle matchups between your favourite Pokémon. Nidorino vs. Gengar... Charizard vs. Pikachu... Greninja vs. Blastoise... Who would win?
Next up, continuing the long-running DK Super Readers series, they released DK Super Readers Level 1 Pokémon Meet the Crew this week for all the young bookworms out there. Based on Pokémon Horizons: The Series, this book helps readers meet the crew on the airship, The Brave Olivine, learning about their jobs and friendships.
For slightly more advanced readers this week also saw the release of DK Super Readers Level 2 Pokémon Here Come the Explorers. This one is similarly based on Pokémon Horizons, but instead focuses on the sneaky group of Pokémon Trainers called the Explorers. These are great titles for parents and teachers looking to teach their young-ones how to read.
And if you thought TIME Magazine was done with their Pokémon cover variants, think again! 3 more covers graced the lineup this past week including Ho-Oh and Lugia, Mega Charizard X and Rayquaza. So that’s 4 Pokémon news stories. The fifth will have to wait until we head over to France. in the meantime…
…Sonic the Hedgehog #84 got its debut this week from IDW Publishing. A dream-team of talents yet again this month, helmed by Ian Flynn and Evan Stanley. Fans will be quick to notice the appearance of Sage on the cover. First introduced way back in a 2022 animated special, Sage is making her official IDW debut as the next arc on the road to Issue #100!
Resources for all you GameDevs out there have been a little light lately, which is a shame, but Game AI Uncovered Volume Four released this week, continuing the series with another collection of chapters from twenty of the top game AI professionals and researchers, from around the world. Gotta give props to CRC Press and several university presses who’ve honestly been responsible for 90% of the literary love given to these valuable GameDev tools lately.
Hopping over the pond to the UK, we check in on Retro Gamer. While their latest monthly issue isn’t on sale quite yet, they did publish this first edition 100% Unofficial The Story of Final Fantasy. Celebrate nearly 40 years of the franchise; from Sakaguchi’s 1987 last-ditch debut to today’s global RPG giant. Inside readers will enjoy a retrospective on the series’ origin, evolution and reinventions; deep features and interviews on every numbered entry (FFI–XVI); spin-offs, remakes and oddities; iconic heroes/bosses; movies/manga; a and music talk with composer Nobuo Uematsu.
Teased this one in the last newsletter, but this week Mana Books released Retour à Silent Hill, the French translation of the Return to Silent Hill Official Movie Novelization. While I liked the English edition’s “Pyramid Head in the iris” cover, I would definitely give this French edition the front-facing treatment on the bookshelves, especially in October.
Also in French news, Minecraft, Le Manga Officiel - Voyage au Bout du Monde T07 released, joining a host of other translations for this (very global) manga series. I feel like we can always count on at least SOME news from this run. Comment below if you’ve dove into it yet.
And finally, wrapping up the Pokémon news for this week, Simon de Thuillières has launched its latest crowdfunding campaign over in France. Pochon Dextre Azur & Pochon Dextre Pourpre are two illustrated grimoires celebrating Pokémon, designed in the style of medieval hunting guides. Flipping through the mockup pages is wild, and I’ll definitely be getting these for the shelves!
Spain got another monthly mag release this week with Hobby Consolas #415. This issue spotlights Resident Evil Requiem, plus a 30-year Resident Evil retrospective. It also previews the winter wave of Japanese games and lists 30 long-vanished projects stuck in limbo. Reviews include MIO: Memories in Orbit, FFVII Remake Intergrade, Skate Story, The Rogue Prince of Persia while previews include Reanimal, High on Life 2, Ride 6, Crisol. Retro: Game Boy Advance 25th anniversary, Xain’d Sleena, and Arcade Archives highlights.
Spanish readers can also now enjoy some Elden Ring this week. Elden Ring - La Senda Del Arbol Aureo #6 from Norma Editorial hit shelves, continuing the gag manga saga. Flashbacks to that Starscourge Radahn fight! *shudders…
Finland saw the latest edition of Pelit release this week. This February 2026 issue is a “best of the year” special centered on the winners of Pelit’s 2025 Game of the Year awards. Inside you’ll also find coverage of the upcoming RPG Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon, a deep dive into the “soulslike metroidvania” Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree, and a look at 2025’s Formula/racing games tuned for different play styles. The issue also features Heroes of Might & Magic, explores Glorantha through RuneQuest: Warlords, and highlights Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles and Terminator 2.
And finally heading over to Japan, legendary game designer Hideki Kamiya is releasing a new art and design book, “The World of Hideki Kamiya: The Complete Works of Game Design that Creates ‘Pure Pleasure” on April 2, 2026, from Kadokawa. It explores his philosophy behind titles like Resident Evil 2, Devil May Cry, Okami, Bayonetta and more, featuring over 100 pieces of concept art, development stories, and nearly 100,000 words reflecting on 30 years of action game creation.
Also in Japan, Dragon Quest continues to get strategy guide love thanks to V-Jump Books releasing their latest entry, ドラゴンクエストセブン Reimagined GUIDEBOOK to NEW WORLD. Watched a few early streams of this one and I’m definitely interested!
Weekly Famitsu’s 週刊ファミ通 2026年2月19日号 No.1934 just hit shelves last week, delivering a packed look at Japan’s console gaming scene. Inside, readers will find a launch feature on Dragon Quest VII Reimagined that breaks down its rebuilt systems, “doll look” visuals, and interviews exploring the concept of this modern reimagining. There is also a debut feature on Nioh 3, covering its new Bakumatsu setting, ninja–samurai stance switching, open-field structure, and in-depth commentary on the series’ iconic yokai designs. Rounding out the magazine is a 2026 console game release catalog presented as an at-a-glance database, making it a handy planning guide for upcoming Japanese game releases.
The 5th Battle Cats Quiz Book in the series released this week with なぜ？がわかる！ にゃんこ大戦争クイズブック ～都道府県のぎもん編～. This one offers a fun, kid-friendly way to learn about Japan’s many prefectures with the help of the series’ quirky cat heroes. Across its quizzes, children (and adults) can explore regional culture, history, famous people, and local foods while naturally picking up answers to their “Why?” questions about Japan.
Did I miss something cool? Want to see this laid out differently?
Drop it in the comments or swing by our Discord to share it with the community.
Let’s keep this celebration of game-inspired books going strong!
📚 Behind the Shelves
Every week, I take you behind the scenes of The Video Game Library. From surprising discoveries to cataloguing challenges, there’s always something new as we dig deeper into this ever-expanding archive of game-related literature.
Guides, guides and more guides this week, thanks to volunteers Fran and Nathanial! Been getting through a ton of The Sims series backlog, and dug up a few great 1998 entries as well with Body Harvest, Age of Empires, Banjo-Kazooie and more! The guidebook section is easily in the thousands right now.
Also want to thank volunteer, Tommy, for going so hard on the GameDev books this week! He was able to find some really cool ones that never quite made it into the catalogue.
And, of course, Genevieve who has been tackling some super complex Pokémon publications with a million global translations, and a whole lot of covers. Really appreciate someone diving in to tackle this behemoth.
On this week’s EP Classic, Mister Mosquito was the highlight. I hadn’t played this game in YEARS! It’s been sitting on my shelf in the early 2000’s, and I remember a good love/hate relationship with it. Turns out, there’s only 3 books that were ever published, so got them all added this week.
For those that follow on the socials, you’ll know that I’m taking part in the Polymedia Network’s time travel event, where we’re jumping back to 1998 for the month of February. So along with playing 1998 games, and watching 1998 movies, I’ve also been posting books from 1998 over in the Bluesky mega-thread. Be sure to pop on over to follow along!
And finally I wanted to shout out Canadian retailer PNP Games. Not only are they responsible for helping bring us EP Classic each and every week, but they also had an incredible sale (and free shipping) on these books that we added to our shelves. Highly recommend checking out these guys to North American readers if you have a chance.
This, as usual, is only a small sample of all the things that have been happening behind the scenes, so take a peek at the site to see everything that’s been added since last week! And while you’re at it, drop your thoughts in the comments below. Your feedback helps shape how we deliver these looks behind the curtain.
💡 Book Spotlights
Every week I like to zoom in on a few standout books from the collection. Sometimes it’s brand new releases, other times it’s older gems that deserve more love.
If you’re looking for deeper dives and not just quick headlines, check out some of these past spotlights:
BOOK SPOTLIGHT - REDO FROM START (USA & JAPAN)
Andrea Pachetti (2025); Microzeit Publishing; Non-Fiction, Game History
"I had originally intended to start with the CRACKER books, but Paul Norman’s eyes….they drew me in."
BOOK SPOTLIGHT - A Brief Legal History of the Video Game (Une Brève Histoire Juridique du Jeu Video)
Geoffray Brunaux (2025); Mare & Martin; Non-Fiction, Game History
"...sets out to recount the history of the video game industry, not through sales numbers or nostalgic releases, but through the courtroom battles that helped define one of the world’s most influential entertainment sectors."
BOOK SPOTLIGHT - The Best Life Adventure Games
Jupiter Hadley (2025); Pen & Sword Books - White Owl; Non-Fiction
"The Best Life Adventure Games isn't just a catalogue. It's a love letter to the art of slow, thoughtful play."
🙏 THANK YOU for Reading
That’s a wrap for this week’s Newsletter. I hope you discovered something new, surprising, or just plain fun.
As always, your feedback helps shape this project - so don’t be shy! Drop a comment below, join the conversation on Discord, or just reply to this newsletter and share your thoughts.
And if you’re enjoying these weekly roundups, please consider supporting The Video Game Library with a paid subscription or forwarding this to a fellow fan. Every little bit helps us keep preserving and celebrating these incredible works - and the passionate people behind them.
Until next week — happy reading,
Dean (Founder, The Video Game Library)