Bitmap Books has once again delivered a showpiece for enthusiasts with 'Trigger Happy', a meticulously crafted coffee table book that celebrates the rich history and design of video game controllers.
Authored and curated through the lens of renowned photographer Christian Wenk, 'Trigger Happy' stands as a tribute to decades of gaming hardware, spanning legendary platforms like Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox, and highlighting both mainstream and elusive controller variants. With a proven history of high-quality publications like 'I’m Too Young To Die', Bitmap Books has become synonymous with visually-rich retrospectives that appeal to passionate gamers and collectors alike.
Their latest release maintains this tradition, offering not only insightful content but also an immersive, tactile experience.
Wrapped in a festive, protective cover and bundled with a set of collectible controller lithograph prints, the book arrives ready to enhance any gaming library or living room display. As readers move through 'Trigger Happy', they are treated to an expansive visual timeline of controller evolution.
Wenk’s photographic archive is organized by console, year, and design innovation, providing both a historical framework and an aesthetic feast.
Rather than focusing on technical internals like analog modules or switch assemblies, this volume spotlights stunning exterior designs and unique features, spotlighting how controllers have both influenced and reflected changes in gaming—from early NES models to the striking contemporary styles seen on the Nintendo Switch and modern DualSense builds. Notably, the book isn’t just a gallery.
It is enriched with expert commentary from industry icons such as James Rolfe (Angry Video Game Nerd) and game development legend John Romero, whose contextual insights accompany the high-resolution imagery.
Moreover, the book’s clever use of iconography communicates each controller’s features at a quick glance, a design touch that adds both utility and charm for enthusiasts seeking specific models like Namco’s Jogcon or rare limited-editions found in various global markets. 'While curated photography is the main attraction,' writes the Bitmap Books team, 'the supporting anecdotes and historical context elevate 'Trigger Happy' beyond a visual catalog, offering a well-researched, heartfelt tribute to the art and engineering of controllers.' Indeed, third-party and lesser-known designs—from the likes of 8BitDo, Victrix, Razer, and Haute42—share the stage alongside household names, giving comprehensive coverage to an often-overlooked segment of hardware history. The book’s physical quality matches its content, boasting premium binding and print stock designed to endure years of use and admiration.
Customers also receive an accompanying PDF version, though 'Trigger Happy' is undoubtedly best experienced in its tangible, hardcover form for the full visual impact of Wenk’s work. While the book provides impressive breadth, especially in spotlighting Nintendo and PlayStation era controllers, readers with a passion for arcade hardware may find themselves wishing for more expansive coverage of arcade sticks and peripherals—a possible direction for future Bitmap Books projects.
Nonetheless, the selections on display, including iconic pieces like the NES Advantage and Neo Geo Arcade Stick, provide ample nostalgia and inspiration. Released in late 2023, 'Trigger Happy' quickly found favor with gamers and collectors worldwide, making it a must-have for anyone invested in gaming culture or hardware design.
Bitmap Books continues to set a high bar for game history catalogues, combining factual detail, evocative photography, and authoritative commentary.
For aficionados of Nintendo Switch, retro consoles, or modern game hardware, 'Trigger Happy' is an essential addition, cementing its place as both a historical document and an object of beauty for the gaming generation.
Authored and curated through the lens of renowned photographer Christian Wenk, 'Trigger Happy' stands as a tribute to decades of gaming hardware, spanning legendary platforms like Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox, and highlighting both mainstream and elusive controller variants. With a proven history of high-quality publications like 'I’m Too Young To Die', Bitmap Books has become synonymous with visually-rich retrospectives that appeal to passionate gamers and collectors alike.
Their latest release maintains this tradition, offering not only insightful content but also an immersive, tactile experience.
Wrapped in a festive, protective cover and bundled with a set of collectible controller lithograph prints, the book arrives ready to enhance any gaming library or living room display. As readers move through 'Trigger Happy', they are treated to an expansive visual timeline of controller evolution.
Wenk’s photographic archive is organized by console, year, and design innovation, providing both a historical framework and an aesthetic feast.
Rather than focusing on technical internals like analog modules or switch assemblies, this volume spotlights stunning exterior designs and unique features, spotlighting how controllers have both influenced and reflected changes in gaming—from early NES models to the striking contemporary styles seen on the Nintendo Switch and modern DualSense builds. Notably, the book isn’t just a gallery.
It is enriched with expert commentary from industry icons such as James Rolfe (Angry Video Game Nerd) and game development legend John Romero, whose contextual insights accompany the high-resolution imagery.
Moreover, the book’s clever use of iconography communicates each controller’s features at a quick glance, a design touch that adds both utility and charm for enthusiasts seeking specific models like Namco’s Jogcon or rare limited-editions found in various global markets. 'While curated photography is the main attraction,' writes the Bitmap Books team, 'the supporting anecdotes and historical context elevate 'Trigger Happy' beyond a visual catalog, offering a well-researched, heartfelt tribute to the art and engineering of controllers.' Indeed, third-party and lesser-known designs—from the likes of 8BitDo, Victrix, Razer, and Haute42—share the stage alongside household names, giving comprehensive coverage to an often-overlooked segment of hardware history. The book’s physical quality matches its content, boasting premium binding and print stock designed to endure years of use and admiration.
Customers also receive an accompanying PDF version, though 'Trigger Happy' is undoubtedly best experienced in its tangible, hardcover form for the full visual impact of Wenk’s work. While the book provides impressive breadth, especially in spotlighting Nintendo and PlayStation era controllers, readers with a passion for arcade hardware may find themselves wishing for more expansive coverage of arcade sticks and peripherals—a possible direction for future Bitmap Books projects.
Nonetheless, the selections on display, including iconic pieces like the NES Advantage and Neo Geo Arcade Stick, provide ample nostalgia and inspiration. Released in late 2023, 'Trigger Happy' quickly found favor with gamers and collectors worldwide, making it a must-have for anyone invested in gaming culture or hardware design.
Bitmap Books continues to set a high bar for game history catalogues, combining factual detail, evocative photography, and authoritative commentary.
For aficionados of Nintendo Switch, retro consoles, or modern game hardware, 'Trigger Happy' is an essential addition, cementing its place as both a historical document and an object of beauty for the gaming generation.
