When you are shopping for a video game strategy reference, the real question is which kind of companion fits what you want to do. Do you need a readable history of the medium, a focused guide for one specific game, a batch of retro magazines and guides to flip through, or an out-of-print companion for a particular release? The four options here cover all of those cases, with listed prices ranging from USD 5.48 for a paperback history to USD 30.00 for a pick-your-own retro lot.
Quick Take
If you want broad reading at the lowest listed price, the Richard Stanton history paperback at USD 5.48 is the easiest place to start. If you want a sealed guide for SimCity, the Prima Official Game Guide at USD 10.95 gives you a brand-new copy for that specific game. If you want a retro collection with several well-known guide brands and are comfortable with used condition, the USD 30.00 you-pick lot offers more material. If Resident Evil 6 is the game you play, the 2012 Capcom/Brady strategy guide at USD 18.99 is the targeted single-title choice.
Listed Price Comparison
| Listed Item | Listed Price | Price Bar |
|---|---|---|
| A Brief History of Video Games | USD 5.48 | |
| SimCity: Prima Official Game Guide | USD 10.95 | |
| Resident Evil 6 Video Game Strategy Guide | USD 18.99 | |
| Retro Video Game Strategy Guides / Magazines (YOU PICK) | USD 30.00 |
Decision Matrix
| Your Need | Recommended Option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| General history and context around video games | A Brief History of Video Games | Trade paperback by Richard Stanton; lowest listed price in this set |
| One sealed guide for SimCity | SimCity: Prima Official Game Guide | Brand New condition; 320 pages with illustrations; published by DK Games |
| Retro material across multiple titles | Retro Video Game Strategy Guides / Magazines (YOU PICK) | You pick the specific items; brands include Nintendo Power, Brady Games, and Prima Games |
| Resident Evil 6 specifically | Resident Evil 6 Video Game Strategy Guide | Capcom/Brady 2012 guide; out-of-print; good condition with no markings inside |
A Brief History of Video Games
This trade paperback by Richard Stanton is the entry point if the strategy reference you want is broader than one game. The listed condition is Good, and the copy is an ex-library book with the usual library markings and stickers. It is a reading copy rather than a display piece, so the tradeoff is visible wear in exchange for the low price. The ISBN is 9780762456154 and the format is a modern trade paperback. At USD 5.48, this is the lowest listed price in the group. Choose this when your goal is background reading, not a step-by-step guide for a particular title.
SimCity: Prima Official Game Guide
If SimCity is the game you keep returning to, this sealed trade paperback from the Prima official line is a direct match. The authors are listed as David Knight and Prima Games Staff, and the condition is Brand New, so the copy is sealed with no wear described. Published by DK Games, the guide has 320 pages and includes illustrations, making it a substantial companion for one simulation game. At USD 10.95, it sits below the Resident Evil 6 guide and above the history paperback. The stated scope is SimCity, so pick it when you want a dependable companion for that game and are not looking for a multi-title reference.
Retro Video Game Strategy Guides / Magazines (YOU PICK)
This listing is the one to consider when you want more than a single guide. At USD 30.00, it is a pick-your-own option described as glossy illustrated paper covers with wear, discoloring, and creasing around the edges. Most issues are in acceptable to good condition, with some tearing around edges and some issues possibly bearing marks or writing. Mentioned brands include Nintendo Power, Brady Games, and Prima Games. Because you pick the specific guides or magazines, this works best if you already know which older titles you want. The clear limitation is the used condition, but the upside for a retro collector is having multiple physical pieces to choose from.
Resident Evil 6 Video Game Strategy Guide
For Resident Evil 6 players, this 2012 guide from Capcom/Brady is the most specific pick in the group. The title calls it out-of-print, the condition is Good, and the item shown is exactly what is listed, with normal sturdy wear and no markings inside. At USD 18.99, it is the higher-priced single-title guide here, but it is tied directly to one game series and one release year. The 2012 guide design and the brand information make it a clear companion for Resident Evil 6 rather than a general strategy reference. Choose it when you want the dedicated guide for that game, not a broader history or a multi-game lot.
Final Recommendation by Use Case
Look at the Richard Stanton history paperback at USD 5.48 if you want a low-priced general read on the medium. Go with the SimCity Prima Official Game Guide at USD 10.95 if you want a sealed, focused guide for SimCity. Consider the USD 30.00 retro you-pick lot if you want multiple guides and magazines and can accept wear. Choose the Resident Evil 6 Capcom/Brady guide at USD 18.99 if that specific game is the one you play.
