The Video Game Library Newsletter - Vol. #004
Battle Cats, bombastic guides, and a deep dive into Final Fantasy mythology with M.J. Gallagher. Plus a Recommended Read that's "way past cool!"
Welcome back to another edition of The Video Game Library Newsletter! Whether you're celebrating Easter this weekend or simply enjoying a well-deserved break, I hope it’s been a good one so far.
I’m especially excited about this week’s issue because I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with M.J. Gallagher—the author behind Norse Myths That Inspired Final Fantasy VII, Greek Myths That Inspired Final Fantasy VII, and the upcoming Mythos: Final Fantasy XVI. His work in the community has long been a favorite of mine, and this interview is packed with insights on mythology, fandom, and the creative process behind turning passion into published work. If you’re a Final Fantasy fan, this one’s a must-read.
On top of that, we’re diving into everything from The Battle Cats backlog and German-language books, to a hidden corner of gaming history: Acclaim’s ambitious run of in-house strategy guides—a short-lived but fascinating chapter that deserves way more love. We’ve also got new releases, cover reveals, reprints, and a fantastic Sonic book recommendation to round things out.
Let’s get into it!
📚 Behind the Shelves
Every week, I take you behind the scenes of The Video Game Library—highlighting the cataloging challenges, unexpected discoveries, and curiosities that pop up as we dive deeper into this ever-growing project. Here's a look at what’s been happening behind the shelves this week:
The Battle Cats - a series that I’ve been conveniently avoiding due to my unfamiliarity and the sheer number of books I stumble across when browsing the latest in the world of video game literature. Decided to spend some time this week learning a bit about the game so I could get through the backlog. You can find the full collection here.
Also on the docket for this week was to get all of the books listed on the German GamePLAN website catalogued. More than half of these were translations of already released books in other languages, but there’s a few German-only books in the mix.
Disney Twisted-Wonderland is a series I don’t know anything about, but have been seeing a few pop-up in the latest book news. Decided to dive in and catalogue all of the Japanese manga - as well as any English translation details I could find.
As usual, dove into a few Collector’s Editions art books. These are always difficult because cover images are either ‘concept’ or really poor quality pulled from an unboxing YouTube video. Publishers of these limited editions rarely go back and update their promo art. Here are the 5 I tackled this week.
And Taylor continued to get through the (never ending) Angels of Death manga series. A ton more added this week!
Only a handful of what we catalogued this week, so take a peek at the site to see everything! 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.
📰 News & Highlights
Some more fun reveals and releases this week. Not quite as fast and furious as the beginning of April, but definitely some notable news! Remember to go back and check out the previous volumes for more in the world of Video Game literature!
Without further ado, check out what’s new this week!
Udon Entertainment treated us to a double-whammy this week, with 2 big news items. First was the next entry in the Street Fighter Masters series with Elena #1; and the other was a pre-order launch for Darkstalkers x Street Fighter: Blood Throne #1. As usual, both have a few variant covers, including some great store exclusive covers limited to 250 copies each.
Nomada Studios announced this week that there would be a GRIS & Neva Collector’s Edition, featuring a GRIS | Neva Art Book bundled within. While beautiful, this is far from the first bundled art book for either game, so it’ll be interesting to see how this one differs.
The Art of Destiny - Vol. 3 officially released this week from Insight Editions and Titan Books (depending on which side of the pond you’re on). Great to see this game’s artwork celebrated across all of these amazing volumes!
Fans of Heaven’s Vault might be familiar with the two novelizations that were released back in 2021. Well, on Apr. 16th (the game’s 6th anniversary), Inkle and author Jon Ingold announced that we’d be returning to the Nebula to continue the story with Book III: The Flood. It is set to continue from where the game and previous books left off.
Hot off the heels of the movie, and its previous 2 volumes, Minecraft: The Manga Vol. 3 just got the official cover reveal from VIZ Media. Admittedly, it’s the same as the Japanese cover, but still, guys. It’s news!
I still haven’t gotten into the Fate/EX series, but there’s certainly enough books about them. And there’s at least 1 more on the way, but sadly got delayed. LOVE - Arco Wada FATE Art Works collects artwork from lead artist Arco Wada including box art, character art, promo illustrations and more. For those who were expecting it this week (Apr. 15), you’ll now have to wait a little longer, with a new release date for Jun. 3!
In the world of GameStudies, we got the release of Ryan Zhao’s The Fundamentals of Video Game Literacy: Theory, Practice, and Aesthetics. This book explores a new framework of how players create meaning as avatars, role-players, and strategists.
The Metaphor: ReFantazio Official Strategy Guide from Future Press started shipping this week, hitting retailers shortly. At nearly 600 pages, this beefy guide is a must-have for any fans of the game.
Thanks to the folks over at MAL’OPUS, Masters of Doom got itself a Ukrainian translation published this week (Книга Володарі Doom). It joins the likes of English, French, Spanish, Polish and more! Might be my favourite cover so far!
Moving farther East, we have Akihito Tomisawa’s famous Game Freak book (ゲームフリーク―遊びの世界標準を塗り替えるクリエイティブ集団 ) getting a reprint 25 years later. Not only that, but there’s a Red and Green version. The Green is the "general release" version, while the Red is exclusive to participating Shosen or Horindo bookstores in Japan.
And finally, while France already got this one last year thanks to cookbook author Thibaud Villanova, Japan has published a translated version of The Official Genshin Impact Cookbook (原神レシピブック テイワットグルメ紀行). Over 60 recipes inspired by the game!
Did I miss something cool? Want to see this layed 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!
💡 Recommended Read of the Week
Sonic: Genesis brought to you by the talented Ian Flynn, Patrick Spaziante, & Tracy Yardley
Despite my steadfast allegiance to Nintendo as a kid, the blue blur always found his way into my gaming rotation. And through that, my childhood was also complimented by his titular comic series. With the Guinness World Record for longest running video-game comic in history (~30 years), there is a LOT to read; but this compilation covers a unique arch in the run known as Genesis (issues 226-229).
Genesis nicely bookends the story with a setup prologue and a solid wrap-up. In the middle though, is what I fell in love with. It's an alternate reality that re-enacts the first game. It's awesome! Starting off in Green Hill Zone, Sonic thwarts the Motobugs and Newtrons that stand in his way, finally takes down Egg Mobile-H and frees the animals from their capsule prison. Sound familiar? Thought so! How about lava-hopping and Caterkiller-dodging in Marble Zone? Yep, that's there too. Slip n' sliding through the ruins of Labyrinth Zone? You bet! All of these iconic moments from the game, beautifully reimagined in comic-book format. And what happens when we get to the end of the game's zones? Emerald Hill Zone from Sonic 2! Then Chemical Plant Zone. Then Oil Ocean Zone. It just doesn't end!
What blew me away even more, was the detail in the artwork. Every page is rife with fan service and continuity from the game. Even the runic symbols that you see lining the background in the 16-bit title were redrawn true-to-form throughout the pages of the book. Sprinkle in characters from the original SatAM cartoon to add depth to the story, and you've got one hell of a run!
Keeping in mind that it's just a compilation of already-released comic books, if you're a fan of Sonic the Hedgehog, this is a FANTASTIC addition to any collection. It's "WAY PAST COOL!"
You can find details about Sonic: Genesis here
💾 From the Archives
Each week, I’ll dive deep into the shelves of The Video Game Library to spotlight a hidden gem or forgotten series — with the hope of surprising you with something new, unexpected, or long overlooked. This week, I wanted to share…
…a bold and bombastic lineup of “Official Strategy Guides”.
Before wikis, there were strategy guides—and few matched the energy and personality of Acclaim Publishing. Best known for their arcade hits and licensed games, Acclaim Entertainment was more than just a game publisher. After acquiring Valiant Comics in 1994, they rebranded as Acclaim Comics and began adapting titles like Turok, Shadow Man, and Armorines into games. Their in-house strategy guides were a natural extension of this multimedia push—and remain a fascinating, often overlooked part of their legacy.
Between 1997 and 2000, Acclaim launched this short-lived but ambitious lineup. While BradyGames and Prima—the two juggernauts of the era—continued to dominate the industry, in many cases, Acclaim was the only publisher producing guides for these titles. These weren’t outsourced—they were developer-backed, insider-authored companions packed with full-color maps, exclusive artwork, and walkthroughs "straight from the source." Titles like Turok 2, WWF Attitude, and Shadow Man all received this deluxe treatment, and each guide’s tone and layout matched its title—WWF Attitude’s guide was loud and gritty, while Shadow Man’s leaned into dark visuals and lore-rich design.
By the early 2000s, the experiment ended. Acclaim stopped producing guides as financial struggles mounted and digital walkthroughs rose. Today, they’re collector’s items—fascinating artifacts from a publisher that aimed to be more than just a game company. Acclaim's strategy guides weren’t just how-to books—they were extensions of the worlds they built. And though the company is long gone, these guides remain as a testament to a brief but brilliant publishing experiment.
You can find the full series catalogued over in The Video Game Library.
✨ Community Interview
This week, I got to sit down with someone whose work I’ve admired for a long time—M.J. Gallagher. If you’re a fan of Final Fantasy, mythology, or just brilliant deep-dives into video game lore, you’ve likely come across his name.
Mo is the author behind Norse Myths That Inspired Final Fantasy VII, Greek Myths That Inspired Final Fantasy VII and several other books and upcoming projects (seen above). He’s become one of the most insightful voices in the fandom, and in our conversation, we explore his journey from fan to full-fledged author, the surprising links between mythology and the legendary RPG franchise, and what it’s like to build a career around the games you love.
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering where terms like Midgar, Nibelheim, or Götterdämmerung come from—or just love getting lost in the lore—this one’s for you.
To start us off, for those who may not know you yet—who is M.J. Gallagher? How would you describe yourself beyond just being an author?
Weirdly enough, being an author is like my secret identity. My everyday alter ego is Mo, a father of four from Glasgow, Scotland. I’ve worked for the British Ministry of Justice for around ten years now, and before that as an international travel writer in the cruise industry, but my academic background is actually in mathematics and economics. I’m a massive fan of football (soccer) and the Final Fantasy series, although I’m no longer much of a gamer beyond that.
When did you first discover the Final Fantasy series? What was it about the franchise that pulled you in so deeply and has it always been part of your creative journey?
I first became aware of the series when Final Fantasy VII released in late 1997. My gaming experiences before that were primarily platformers or sports/racing titles; I’d never even heard of the RPG genre. It was around six months before I finished FFVII, but it introduced me to a lot of new concepts that profoundly changed my views on environmentalism, capitalism, and spiritualism.
I was a big reader as a kid and was blown away by the opportunity to have a novel-like experience in a visual medium. It inspired me in all sorts of ways, not least to start a handwritten novelization of the game when I was around 15. I’ve been consistently writing about FFVII in one form or another ever since (fan fiction, blogs, video content, mythology books, etc)
You mention that it profoundly changed your views on a few different levels. What first inspired you to explore the mythological roots of Final Fantasy VII? Was there a particular moment or realization when you thought, “This could actually be a book”?
During my time as a travel writer, part of my job was to visit port towns and cities around the world where cruise ships commonly berthed. I wrote walking tours for cruise passengers and a large part of the production process was to learn about each location; this included historical figures and events, local culture, wartime trivia, interesting sites, etc. One of my favourite aspects was native folklore and the more I researched and wrote about it, the more I realized I was already familiar with the names of many gods, heroes, monsters, or spiritual concepts. The Final Fantasy games were mainly responsible for this, and it spurred me to begin investigating the inclusion of Norse mythology (an interest of mine) within the games. Over time, there seemed to be a growing audience for my social media posts on the subject. I recall spending a couple of days putting together a piece on how FFVII’s Midgar Zolom is based on the Norse Midgardsormr, which was kind of the lightbulb moment for compiling the information in a book.
So lightbulb goes off, you begin digging into the myths, did you anticipate that it would grow into multiple books?
My first title of this nature, Norse Myths That Inspired Final Fantasy VII, was admittedly a test run. I had no idea what level of success I could realistically achieve with it, but I needn’t have worried. Like I said, there was definitely an audience out there, and the online discourse around FFVII Remake worked in my favour. As I was writing the book, I simultaneously built a database of mythological links and references between FFVII and other cultures as well as Norse mythology with other FF games. It became apparent very quickly that there’s an abundance of material waiting to be explored, so the only question was which subject to tackle next. Final Fantasy XVI itself released as I was putting the finishing touches on Greek Myths That Inspired Final Fantasy VII. I was in no rush to start a new project straight away, but I knew after playing FFXVI’s demo that I’d be writing a book about it
One thing I love about your work is how you balance well-known mythological connections withlesser-known ones. How do you decide which myths to spotlight
I spend a lot of time considering each potential connection. Some seem pretty unambiguous to me, such as FFVII’s locations Midgar and Nibelheim (derived from Midgard and Niflheimr in Norse mythology–the realm of men and the realm of primordial mist, respectively), while others take a bit of explaining, like pointing out the parallels between Vincent’s journey in Dirge of Cerberus and the Labours of Heracles in Greek myth.
I try to prioritise major plot or character elements, then connections that are less speculative over those that involve assumptions. However, a primary purpose of the books is to introduce readers to the mythology or to enhance their understanding through Final Fantasy, so I also look to group trivia and themes in a way that optimises how the information is presented (such as having an early chapter address the creation myth and the last chapter on a foretold apocalypse). For everything that’s worth mentioning but doesn’t fit into any particular topic, I aim to include a chapter on mini-myths
You’ve talked a little about it, but could you give us a better glimpse into your research process? Are you playing through the game looking for connections as you write?
I’m a real fiend when it comes to the ‘Notes’ function on smart phones. Whenever I play through games, I take notes on any potential mythological references. My base knowledge on various ancient cultures is pretty solid, so I have a good eye for this. Once my notes have been compiled, I’ll sort them into categories, which form the early concepts for prospective chapters. What follows is very much a refinement process; sometimes my initial vision materialises as planned, sometimes I have to rethink or re-contextualise the structure of the content. I’m constantly referencing game footage, lore details, or the stack of mythology books I own. Before signing off on the finished product, I’ll play through the full game(s) at least once more to make sure I haven’t misrepresented anything
So how do you manage to organize everything? You mention a bit of categorization. Do you have a system or toolkit that helps keep it all straight during writing?
I’m very lucky in that my brain is good at storing the information anyway, but my digital filing system is basically just projects > raw notes > sorted notes > chapter ideas > chapter drafts >finished product. I find it’s much easier to keep track of cut/unused content or make sure myself and my editor are revising the same draft. I also colour-code lines or sections of each chapter to make sure I adequately follow up on references or corresponding content in later drafts. It’s nothing fancy but it does the business
I'm curious about the venn diagram of mythology-enthusiasts and Final Fantasy fans. How do you go about tailoring your writing to remain accessible for both of these niches?
I think there’s a sizeable crossover between the two groups, especially for gamers who take an interest in the product beyond a surface-level playthrough. That said, I’m realistic in my approach to marketing the books in that they’re far more likely to attract a Final Fantasy fan looking to learn about mythology than a mythology enthusiast looking to learn about Final Fantasy. It’s also important to recognise that not everyone who picks up a book will be intimately familiar with the plot(s) or in-world lore, so I design the chapters to ensure the content is just as accessible to newcomers as it is to veterans. The last thing I want to do is alienate readers.
Since you first published, how has your relationship with this Final Fantasy community evolved?
I’m extraordinarily grateful that my personal passions and creativity have been so well received by the community over the years. I would’ve been happy simply knowing that others were reading my writing online, but to be given the opportunity to do book signings and meet fans at KupoCon conventions, to have my efforts recognized through community awards, to collaborate with several of my favourite artists, to form friendships with individuals directly involved in the production of Final Fantasy titles, to network with many of the community’s greatest content creators, to have interest in my work reinforced by successful Kickstarter crowdfunding campaigns, and to really just have anyone give a crap about what I have to say makes me pinch myself on a daily basis. This community has given me so much more than I could have ever dreamed of as an author or as a fan. If I had to pick three moments that have stuck with me the most, it would be receiving the Warrior of Light Award from KupoCon at my first international book signing (in Toronto, Canada),smashing the Kickstarter funding target for Greek Myths That Inspired Final Fantasy VII within minutes, and watching Paul Tinto (the voice actor for Cait Sith in FFVII Rebirth’s English edition) play Rebirth for the first time in my living room.
What role do you hope these books play for fans?
Yes. Always. I recently played the Pixel Remasters of Final Fantasy I-III in my downtime and found myself taking notes on all sorts of things I hadn’t expected to. I’ve no problem admitting that it’s probably just who I am as a person and that much of my personal enjoyment comes from examining the mythological elements more closely than others might.
With the recent resurgence of FFVII through Remake and Rebirth, how have you found the references to mythology have evolved?
FFVII Remake offered a glimpse of what was to come in terms of taking the mythological references to a new level. I deliberately waited until the dust had settled a little bit on Remake to release Norse Myths That Inspired Final Fantasy VII, partly to do with lockdown and partly to be as sure as possible that the comparisons I was presenting were not overly speculative. Believe it or not, it was Remake’s inclusion of the Götterdammerung accessory that gave me most confidence. “Götterdammerung” is Richard Wagner’s operatic retelling (or remake) of the Norse Ragnarök myth; in Remake, the accessory is obtained by defeating the Pride and Joy (Proud Clod) Prototype, while the Ragnarok sword is obtained by defeating the Proud Clod in FFVII. Rebirth took the mythological references into the stratosphere, both in general terms and for me personally. Several things I wrote about in Norse Myths That Inspired Final Fantasy VII are now featured in some form or another in and around Nibelheim, the summons (especially Titan, Phoenix, and Odin) have actual lore associated with them that reflect Greek, Egyptian, and Norse mythology, respectively, and the world-building aspects of each region have some incredible mythical references. In my opinion, the development team took a few leaves out of Final Fantasy XIV and Final Fantasy XVI’s books and properly embraced the mythological allusions that have been present (albeit more subtly) in scenario writer Kazushige Nojima’s projects for almost 30 years.
Looking back at when you were working on your very first book, what’s something you wish you could go back and tell yourself—either as advice or reassurance? What advice would you give to someone today who’s thinking about writing in this space—whether it's about games, mythology, or even niche fandom topics?
To be honest, I don’t think I’d go back and change anything. My earlier novels aren’t quite the quality I’d like, but part of the process as a writer is to develop your craft over time. I wouldn’t want to risk giving up the amazing opportunities I’ve been presented with because of that. There have been plenty of times I’ve felt insecure or inadequate, so I would definitely offer myself reassurance that I was on the right track. The one piece of advice I would give to any aspiring writer or content creator, however, is to prioritise writing about your passion, not to focus on what you think will appeal to others. If you do that, the right audience will eventually find you; better to be a big fish in a small pool, etc. I also consider discipline to be very important. I make sure I work on projects for at least two hours most days, but I acknowledge that’s not always possible for others.
Now that Mythos: Final Fantasy XVI Volume One is on the horizon, what’s next for you? Are there other myths, themes, or even game series you haven’t tackled yet but would love to explore in the future?
I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say I could probably produce books for the next 20 years based on existing Final Fantasy content. My dream would be to do this on a full-time basis, so I’m slowly working towards that–I promised my editor that if it becomes a reality, we’ll tackle Final Fantasy XIV. I’ve already announced Final Fantasy VII and the Trojan War and the second volume of Mythos: Final Fantasy XVI is never too far from my thoughts, but another title that will likely come sooner rather than later is Norse Myths That Inspired Final Fantasy VIII. As for everything else that’s in the works...I’ll leave that as a surprise.
Finally, where can readers find your books, follow your work, or connect with you online?
Norse Myths That Inspired Final Fantasy VII and Greek Myths That Inspired Final Fantasy VII are both available on Amazon in multiple formats, including audiobook for the former.
Pre-orders for Mythos: Final Fantasy XVI (Volume One) can be placed on Kickstarter.
My FFVII Rebirth video series, breaking down all the game’s hidden details, is available on KupoCon’s YouTube channel
If you wish to reach out to me or follow my daily mythology ramblings, the best place to do so is on X (formerly Twitter) @FFVIINovels, although I’m also on BlueSky.
My entire back catalogue (including all my Final Fantasy novels, free to download) can be accessed from my Patreon account. Please consider supporting my work if you can
Thanks for your time, Mo!
🙏 And THANK YOU for Reading
That’s a wrap for this week’s deep dive into all things video game literature. 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, 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)
Wow, this is amazing content. Thanks!
Man, I love Sonic Genesis! Specially how they were able to mix the comics lore with the mainline games. It's one of the best Archie Comics runs ever! Needless to say, I'm glad you recommended this one, more people should read it.