The Video Game Library Newsletter - Vol. #041
MYTHOS: Final Fantasy XVI is out!! Plus 30+ other amazing books hitting shelves this week. And a TON of cataloguing.
Welcome back to The Video Game Library Newsletter!
Guys, things aren’t slowing down. February was an insane month, and looking at the calendar, I count 4 days in March where a book isn’t coming out…the rest is packed!
For Volume 41 of the Newsletter, we have more than 30 announcements and releases, the most exciting of which (for me) is M.J. Gallagher’s long-awaited Mythos: Final Fantasy XVI. There’s also a ton of comics and manga which have been coming fast and furious from all corners of the globe.
In “Behind the Shelves”, we dive into a bunch of cataloguing work that’s been getting done, thanks to our growing team of volunteers who heard the call-out last month and reached out with eagerness to be part of this crazy project.
Lots to talk about, so with creaking bookshelves and trembling wallets, let’s see what this week has in store!
📰 News & Highlights
An easy choice for this week’s headliner. M.J. Gallagher’s Mythos: Final Fantasy XVI Volume One: Death & Rebirth has been on my hype-list for a LONG time, and for followers of our site and social media, you’ll know how much of an influence Norse Myths That Inspired Final Fantasy VII had on getting this project off the ground. So glad to see its successful release and resounding praise!
From the team at Bitmap Books (which don’t often get bumped to 2nd page news, but this week is an exception), their newest project, Leaps + Bounds: a Visual Guide to Nine Console Generations, started shipping this past week. Another gorgeous hardcover tomb encapsulating the consoles, handhelds and hybrids that have defined the evolution of the video game form.
Hold your breath. Don't you dare... make... a... sound. Announced this week, and up for pre-order is the revised and expanded edition of Andy Kelly’s Perfect Organism. The book itself was originally published through Unbound, but through the challenges, has found a new home with the team at Lost In Cult. Dubbed “Perfect Organism: The Assembly Cut”, this version includes new chapters, new illustrations and more.
The folks over at Microzeit have launched the Kickstarter for their next entry in the REDO FROM START series. REDO FROM START Vol. II focuses on Canada and Europe. It expands the oral history series with more than 30 interviews and richly detailed visuals that bring the stories of software innovation from 1982–1985 to life.
Tomb Raider: Sacred Artifacts #2 hit comic book (and digital) shelves this week from Dark Horse Comics. In order to keep a dangerous and familiar relic out of the wrong hands, Lara Croft must travel to Italy and meet the mysterious, masked adversary who stole it from her. But when Lara enlists the aid of her old friend Carter Bell, his own request for help will lead her on a detour, one that will plunge her into the depths of the city of Paris!
Easily one of the most hyped manga releases of the past few months, and reaching a bunch of different languages, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners MADNESS Volume 1 has finally released. Based on the Netflix anime series, felt it was close enough to a Video Game adjacent release.
Sonic has been a staple of these Newsletters since the beginning, and easily has the most comic book entries on the site. Well, add 1 more to the list with this latest IDW crossover announced this week - Sonic x Godzilla #1! When the King of the Monsters and other iconic kaiju mysteriously arrive in the Blue Blur's world, the brilliant and evil Dr. Eggman will try to harness the power of the kaiju for his own nefarious goals.
The Lords of the Makai storyline continues with this penultimate issue! Udon Entertainment brings us Darkstalkers x Street Fighter: Hunter Killers #1. Deep in the Darkstalker Dimension, Morrigan tempts the werewolf Jon Talbain to give in to his violent urges. Can Menat save Talbain from his own violent urges? It's the penultimate chapter of the Lords of the Makai saga!
The literary love for Expedition 33 is still a little light for such a juggernaut of a game, but lots of fan projects seem to be popping up. Check out this new Zine33, a 70-page fanzine with the talents of 33 artists celebrating their love of Clair Obscur.
No shortage of Pokémon sticker books out there, but they seem to be top sellers, so makes sense why this past week we got another from Farshore with Pokémon Mega Evolutions Sticker Book. This one covers everything readers need to know about the 48 Mega Evolution Pokémon plus 300 awesome stickers.
Also in Pokémon news, pre-orders are now open for the upcoming fanzine Ancient Sagas. This gorgeous zine is dedicated to celebrating Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. I’ve missed a lot of the lead-up to this one, but scrolling through the artists, I’m VERY intrigued.
And to round things off with indie Pokémon projects, Piotr Siuda announced on X this week that Gotta Study ’Em All: Understanding Cultural Impact of 30 Years of Pokémon has been approved by Bloomsbury. Loving all this Poké-love going around!
This week marks the big finale of VIZ Media’s digital re-releases of the Splatoon manga series from Sankichi Hinodeya. Both Splatoon, Vol. 15 and Splatoon, Vol. 16 came out this week. Not to worry though, still some Splatoon 3: Splatlands manga still ahead!
And before moving on from VIZ Media, let’s talk about this announcement from Feb. 20th that I totally missed in last week’s Newsletter. Legendary Final Fantasy composer, Nobuo Uematsu, is getting a biography this Fall.
Fangamer’s UFO 50 Deluxe Edition are out of pre-order and have officially started shipping this week. While the game itself is cool enough, this bundle includes a 116-page UFO 50 Companion Book, featuring tips, maps, secrets, stickers, and original art straight from the developers.
And in similar news, Strictly Limited Games has announced that pre-orders are live for the Shadow Gambit Complete Edition. While the bundle comes complete with game, manual, scroll, coin, sticker and poster, the real excitement is of course the Artbook and Strategy Guide.
Another bundled artbook is on the horizon alongside Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter’s premium limited Golden Wings Edition. Pre-orders are now open ahead of the game’s planned Fall 2026 launch. Some other obviously really cool stuff here that, once upon a time, I would have had a blog for (thinks back to first ever Collector’s Corner blog focused on gaming merch).
Step into the front lines of strategy gaming with PC Gamer #420 UK / PC Gamer #408 US released this past week. A world-exclusive cover story on Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4, where PC Gamer goes behind the scenes with the developers to explore the hotly anticipated return of the classic RTS franchise. Beyond the cover feature, dive into previews of Solasta 2 and Forza Horizon 6, in-depth reviews of Terra Invicta and other top PC games, and nostalgic looks at Duke Nukem 3D and Skyrim mods.
For all the aspiring GameDev/Artists out there, Foundational Techniques for Mastering Environment and Character Concept Art from CRC Press and Lee Stocks released this past week in Hardcover, Paperback and eBook options. It’s a detailed concept art guide with workshops + videos.
And to wrap up this week’s English publications (and GameDev) resources, Indie developer Robin “Birdy” Brown’s new book just released this past week. How to Finish Your First Cozy Game is a calm, practical companion for first-time game creators who want to plan, build, and finish a small cozy game without burning out.
Heading over to France, the 10th entry in the special series, Resident Evil - Jeux Vidéo Magazine Collection Hors-Série, released this week. This one comes right in time not only for Resident Evil Requiem but also in celebration of the franchise’s 30th anniversary.
Immersion is a French independent magazine devoted to in-depth cultural analysis of video games, treating the medium as art, philosophy, and social practice rather than just entertainment. With the announcement of its tenth issue, “Châteaux,” fans can look forward to a richly produced 176-page edition that examines the imagery and meaning of castles in games old and new, features a wide mix of voices from the field. Slated for release in May 2026.
Dans l’Ombre du CPC — L’héritage des jeux Amstrad is a new book project that launched on Ulule. This tribute volume from Editions64K dives into the games and creative spirit of the Amstrad CPC, showcasing the titles and memories that shaped the experiences of early home computer gamers. Through illustrations and narrative, it honors an influential chapter of video game history while inviting backers to support its production and preservation. It really doesn’t seem to be getting much traction though, so this one may be in need of an extra push.
Earlier in the year, we saw a new collection of library books come out of Black Rabbit Books under their Bolt imprint. Well, the fun continues with 3 new Spanish translations this week. Sube de nivel en Pokémon, Sube de nivel en The Legend of Zelda and Sube de nivel en Animal Crossing all hit shelves this week for Spanish speakers.
Possibly a nothing-burger, but I have a good feeling about this one… DeVuego, Spain’s largest database of the video game industry, teased out a “what if” post this past week showcasing a magazine cover mock-up. Some other gaming mags already have a pretty good foothold in that market, but there’s always room for more in-print gaming goodness! I, for one, am VERY supportive!
And speaking of one of those Spanish gaming mags, GTM has another awesome project on the horizon. Sombras de Raccoon City is an in-universe volume that brings together interviews, sketches, notes, and recovered documents about the city’s final days.
For Portuguese readers, there’s more Elden Ring love this week, courtesy of Panini Managa. Nikiichi Tobita’s Elden Ring: O Caminho para Térvore 08 gag manga hit shelves, continue the story of Tarnished on his search for the Dectus Medallion. See what awaits in the Albinauric Village.
German readers continue to be spoiled with great gaming magazines, like this latest issue of Play5. Released earlier this week, the team didn’t quite have enough time to squeeze in Resident Evil Requiem, so instead they’ve focused on Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined, Nioh 3, Yakuza Kiwami 3, Reanimal, I Hate This Place and more!
Something about adding Czech books to the site always makes me happy. It’s a language that we don’t see nearly enough love for in video game literature. This week, we were treated to Twisted Wonderland: Příběh z Heartslabyulu 2 from Nakladatelství CREW. Looking forward to seeing this continue through the whole manga series.
And over in Poland, Minecraft fans rejoice this week as Przygoda w jaskiniach. Minecraft. Tryb czytania comes out! This is the translation of Arie Kaplan’s “Trouble Brewing!” Książki HarperKids continues to tackle this “Step Into Reading” series, which is so awesome to see!
Mal’Opus continues to be a translation machine for the Ukrainian language market. Their latest book to go on sale is this Art of Arcane book, translated as Артбук Мистецтво й створення серіалу «Аркейн»). Filled with gorgeous illustrations and concept art from the hit Netflix series.
No stranger to art book translations, Mr. Blue Co. has just announced that they’ve decided to publish Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon Official Art Works for the Korean market. This will be crowdfunded on Wadiz starting Mar. 9th, and shipping is expected to start in the 2nd week of June, 2026. This project accompanies their previous efforts with Elden Ring Art Books 1 & 2, as well as Monster Hunter and Final Fantasy XVI art books.
And the award for the best mobile game in 2025 is….UmeMusume: Pretty Derby! That was a surprise to me, and put the game on my radar. Well, it’s been a hit in Japan for a while, and just this week we saw the release of the 4th artbook - ウマ娘 プリティーダービー アートワークス Vol.04. If racing horse-girls are your thing, this is the book for you!
ドラゴンクエストの生みの親 堀井雄二: 新学習まんが人物館 is the new Yuji Horii manga biography we announced a few newsletters back, and as of this week, it’s officially out! I’m confident this’ll be getting the English translation treatment…but oh man is this purchase tempting!
Over in Japan, Kadokawa continues its push toward younger gamers with this 2026 “Popular Games DVD Special” spin-off from てれびげーむマガジン. てれびげーむマガジン別冊 人気ゲームDVDスペシャル 2026 (カドカワゲームムック) clocks in at over 100 pages and bundled with a multi-hour DVD, this one mixes readable strategy content with kid-friendly gameplay videos. Expect coverage spanning Nintendo staples, Minecraft, and other evergreen hits dominating Japanese charts right now.
Pokémon never slows down in the publishing space. ポケットモンスター たのしくとける はじめてのパズル is a new beginner puzzle book that’s aimed squarely at younger fans just starting their logic-game journey. Designed to be approachable and confidence-boosting, it blends simple puzzles with familiar Pokémon characters to ease readers into problem solving.
Konami’s legendary dating sim franchise returns in a more playful format with ときめきモウソウ劇場. Collecting all 85 comic entries originally published on the Tokimeki Memorial X account from 2023-2025, this release leans into comedic scenarios and character-driven fantasy situations, essentially celebrating the long history of Tokimeki Memorial through exaggerated “what if” moments.
Minecraft publishing continues at full speed in Japan. Volume 2 of this “Let’s Start Minecraft” special (別冊てれびげーむマガジン スペシャル 総集編 はじめようマインクラフト号 vol.2 ) from Kadokawa compiles beginner tips, build ideas, survival strategies, and easy-to-digest walkthrough content for new players.
What stands out is how these guides remain evergreen — every new wave of young players needs a starting point. And with Minecraft’s staying power across platforms, releases like this feel less like one-offs and more like perennial staples.
Another week, another issue of Japan’s most iconic gaming magazine. Famitsu No.1937 (週刊ファミ通 2026年3月12日号 No.1937) opens with a release feature on Biohazard Requiem, teasing what it reveals about “after Raccoon City,” spotlighting characters and creatures, and explaining how its two protagonists create a rhythm of “tension” and “release” alongside review-style impressions. Elsewhere, it digs into Arcade Archives: Rave Racer with a look at the game’s appeal plus Arcade Archives–specific features and a play guide, previews the first new Shutokō Battle in about 20 years (recreated expressways, SP battles, and a developer interview), and rounds out coverage with Tales of Berseria Remastered, revisiting its story and combat while detailing the remaster project’s new elements.
The absurdly popular mobile hit The Battle Cats marches on with Volume 18 of its manga adaptation. まんがで!にゃんこ大戦争(18): てんとう虫コミックス〔スペシャル is published under Shogakukan’s Tentomushi Comics Special line, the series continues its blend of slapstick humor, bizarre enemies, and overpowered feline antics.
Retro hardware fans, this one’s for you. The expanded and revised edition of the PC Engine & PC-FX Perfect Catalog digs deep into NEC’s iconic (and sometimes overlooked) consoles. Updated from the original 2019 release, expect comprehensive software listings, hardware breakdowns, historical context, and gorgeous screenshots.
CONTINUE has long positioned itself as the thinking person’s game magazine, equal parts nostalgia, criticism, and pop-culture commentary. CONTINUE Vol. 88 keeps that tradition alive, looking back at the Dreamcast’s fierce, uphill battle and celebrates the console that delivered innovative network features, outstanding arcade conversions, and classics such as Shenmue, Phantasy Star Online, Space Channel 5, Seaman, and Jet Set Radio.
Dragon Quest has been making non-stop headlines lately thanks to the buzz surrounding the HD-2D remakes, and that momentum continues with Dragon Quest I & II / III Art Works: The Art of Alefgard. This artbook focuses on the visual reimagining of the Erdrick trilogy, showcasing character designs, environmental art, UI concepts, and development materials from the HD-2D versions of I-III.
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.
The Sonic the Hedgehog cataloguing continues strong thanks to Stephen on our volunteer team. Working backwards down the list, down to 67 thanks to his efforts!
Now just to add some perspective, each one of these issues has multiple covers and formats attributed to different artists. We try our best at The Video Game Library to capture that in our image carousel and publication details. So an extra big thanks to Stephen for continuing to be so thorough!
Also spent a bit of time this week working with the folks at Job Job to get the details on all their cookbooks. We had most catalogued, but some missing information in the records, and they were kind enough to get it all sorted for us. Now we have their full collection on digital display!
Between Fran, Genevieve and new volunteer, Rex, we also tackled more guides from all genres and generations. In 2026, the influx of guides has really slowed down in comparison with yesteryear, so it REALLY feels like we’re catching up each and every week.
And I want to give a special shoutout to Jamie, who’s just joined the team and has been absolutely killing it with the Persona backlog. Dengeki’s entire Persona 3 run is now fully catalogued on the site.
And the last bulk cataloguing I’ll call out was Pillar Red Box’s “Pro Gamer Presents” series. Heavily focused on Fortnite and Roblox, there’s a few Minecraft and Pokémon entries thrown in as well. Full expect these to continue annually.
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)
3333333333333333333