The UK-based publisher Bitmap Books is set to release a monumental new volume devoted entirely to the role‑playing games of the Super Nintendo (SNES). The project is framed as an homage to one of the most beloved eras in gaming and aims to provide both nostalgia and new insights into how the genre evolved on the 16‑bit platform.

Titled The Definitive Book of SNES RPGs Vol. 1, the book spans over 550 pages and covers titles from A to K (e.g. Chrono Trigger, EarthBound, Final Fantasy II, The 7th Saga) with commentary, developer retrospectives, restored art, and historical context. It’s designed as more than a mere “greatest hits” list — the ambition is to examine why these games endure, how their design philosophies shaped the medium, and what artistic statements they made in their time.

Bitmap Books has made a name for itself producing high‑quality, visually rich volumes focused on the history and aesthetics of gaming. Their hallmark is marrying deep research with beautiful design: premium printing, archival visuals, and attention to tactile presentation. In this latest release, the publisher leans fully into that identity, presenting the SNES RPG lineage as a cultural and creative milestone. (See their catalog for their other SNES‑related titles.)

For retro gaming fans, RPG lovers, and anyone curious about how narrative, mechanics, and artistry intertwined in one of gaming’s golden eras, The Definitive Book of SNES RPGs is shaping up to be a must‑own reference.

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