Boss Fight Books
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | June 2013 |
| Founder | Gabe Durham |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Books about individual video games |
| Website | bossfightbooks |
Boss Fight Books is a publishing company located in Los Angeles that focuses on producing a collection of books centered on individual video games. Inspired by the format of 33⅓, which delves into record albums, each installment concentrates on a single game. Established by Gabe Durham in June 2013, the publisher came into existence following a successful Kickstarter campaign in July, with its inaugural release being EarthBound, authored by Ken Baumann, published in January 2014.
Durham developed the concept for the series after reading Jeff Ryan's Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America, seeking more in-depth examinations of video games. Noticing the absence of a video game equivalent to 33⅓, he pitched the idea to Ken Baumann, who agreed to write the first volume and design the visual identity for the series.
After enlisting writers for the initial five books, Durham launched a Kickstarter campaign aiming to raise $5,000 but instead secured $45,429 within a few weeks, allowing production to proceed. Contributors voted to determine the subject of the sixth book, choosing Chrono Trigger. A second Kickstarter in November 2014 financed six additional titles, raising $53,186; backers once again selected a topic—Shadow of the Colossus.
Season 1
| No. | Title | Author | Release date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EarthBound | Ken Baumann | January 15, 2014 | |
| Baumann selected EarthBound over originally considered options such as Final Fantasy VI and Chrono Trigger, citing its expansive scope and distinctive emotional resonance. The work merges critical analysis of the game with autobiographical elements, reflecting on Baumann’s childhood and his bond with his brother. Its narrative approach has drawn comparisons to Grant Morrison's Supergods. Critical reception was varied; some lauded its evocative depiction and emotional depth, while others viewed the autobiographical content as indulgent or unfocused. Baumann welcomed the strong reactions these passages generated. | ||||
| 2 | Chrono Trigger | Michael P. Williams | April 1, 2014 | |
| Chosen through fan voting, Williams drew upon his experience living in Japan to analyze cultural themes including race, gender, and sexuality within this Japanese role-playing game. The book features original interviews with translators Ted Woolsey and Tom Slattery and parallels the game's time-traveling storyline. Critics praised its focused critique and cultural insights, highlighting new revelations about localization processes. It was recognized for offering novel perspectives on the game and exemplifying Boss Fight Books’ style of game criticism. | ||||
| 3 | ZZT | Anna Anthropy | June 2, 2014 | |
| Anthropy explores both ZZT as a game and as a creative platform, documenting now-defunct user communities through interviews with designers. The book sheds light on an overlooked subculture in gaming history. It received acclaim for its passionate defense of the game's significance and set a benchmark for scholarly works on video games. | ||||
| 4 | Galaga | Michael Kimball | July 1, 2014 | |
| Kimball structures his examination of Galaga into 255 brief chapters mirroring the game's levels, intertwining cultural analysis with personal reflections on his upbringing in an abusive household. While some reviewers found this format challenging and uneven at times, others valued its heartfelt storytelling about using video games as coping mechanisms. | ||||
| 5 | Jagged Alliance 2 | Darius Kazemi | August 25, 2014 | Template:ISBNT |
| Kazemi’s volume investigates the creation of Jagged Alliance 2 through developer interviews and examination of source code. He opted for this lesser-known title to provide candid insights during a period when game development shifted from small teams to larger studios amid technological transitions from 2D to 3D graphics. Reviews commended its historical context and balanced narrative but noted difficulties in conveying gameplay experience. | ||||
| 6 | Super Mario Bros. 2 | Jon Irwin | October 6, 2014 | Template:ISBNT |
| Irwin examines the title through analysis of its four playable characters and includes interviews with industry figures like Gail Tilden and world record holder Andrew Gardikis. Critics highlighted Irwin’s skill in weaving diverse tangents into a unified exploration of Nintendo’s design philosophy. Despite some literary flourishes noted by reviewers, it was regarded as an exemplary representation of Boss Fight Books’ approach to video game criticism. | ||||
Season 2
| No. | Title | Author | Release date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Bible Adventures | Gabe Durham | March 30, 2015 | 978-1-940535-07-4 |
| Series founder and editor Gabe Durham writes about Bible Adventures, an unauthorized game from his youth. Drawing upon his connection to Christian culture, he conducted interviews with developers Roger Deforest and Dan Burke to uncover its background. | ||||
| 8 | Baldur's Gate II | Matt Bell | June 22, 2015 | 978-1-940535-08-1 |
| Bell combines memoir with critical analysis, reflecting on his development as a writer and navigating the tension between his passion for fantasy role-playing games and literary aspirations. The book delves into themes of moral ambiguity within the game while paralleling Bell’s personal growth. Reviews praised its insightful prose and examination of genre fiction’s role in literature. | ||||
| 9 | Metal Gear Solid | Ashly & Anthony Burch | August 17, 2015 | 978-1-940535-09-8 |
| Siblings Ashly and Anthony Burch provide a conversational critique covering gameplay mechanics, narrative elements, and representation of female characters. Their contrasting viewpoints offer a comprehensive understanding of this landmark title. Critics commended its accessible tone and fresh perspectives. | ||||
| 10 | Shadow of the Colossus | Nick Suttner | December 15, 2015 | 978-1-940535-10-4 |
| Nick Suttner, formerly affiliated with 1UP.com and Sony developer relations, offers a heartfelt homage to his favorite game. His narrative serves more as an affectionate travelogue than traditional critique. | ||||
| 11 | Spelunky | Derek Yu | March 29, 2016 | 978-1-940535-11-1 |
| Penned by Spelunky's creator Derek Yu, this volume provides direct insight into its design philosophy and development process. It was among the standout titles during the season’s Kickstarter campaign. Reviews emphasize its clear explanation suitable for both casual players and enthusiasts. | ||||
| 12 | World of Warcraft | Daniel Lisi | June 20, 2016 | 978-1-940535-12-8 |
Season 7
On August 20, 2024, the seventh season was officially revealed, coinciding with the launch of its Kickstarter campaign.
| No. | Title | Author | Release date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | EverQuest | Matthew S. Smith | December 3, 2024 | 978-1-94053-535-7 |
| Smith’s work explores the history of EverQuest through fresh interviews with developers including Ryan Barker and Brian Canary. | ||||
| 35 | Untitled Goose Game | James O'Connor | January 28, 2025 | 978-1-94053-536-4 |
| O'Connor narrates the creation process of Untitled Goose Game, emphasizing its pre-launch acclaim and featuring interviews with the developers. | ||||
| 36 | Outer Wilds | Tommy Wallach | May 20, 2025 | 978-1-94053-537-1 |
| 37 | Dance Dance Revolution | Jessica Doyle and Jordan Ferguson | June 24, 2025 | 978-1-94053-538-8 |
Season 8
The eighth season was publicized on July 8, 2024, alongside the introduction of its Kickstarter initiative.
| No. | Title | Author | Release date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | Legend of the River King | Alexander B. Joy | October 2025 | 978-1-940535-39-5 |
| 39 | Life Is Strange | Kaitlin Tremblay | December 2025 | TBD |
| 40 | Dragon Age II | Charlotte Reber | February 2026 | TBD |
| Reber presents an in-depth account of Dragon Age II development, incorporating interviews with prominent creators such as David Gaider and Jennifer Hepler. | ||||
| 41 | colspan=3 |
TBD |
||
| The final book in season eight will be funded through a Kickstarter campaign planned for late 2025 and will feature a hardcover format similar to that of GoldenEye 007. | ||||
Anthologies
| No. | Title | Editor | Release date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Continue? | Gabe Durham | January 20, 2015 | 978-1-940535-06-7 |
| This inaugural collection showcases pieces by seasoned authors such as Ken Baumann, Jon Irwin, Darius Kazemi, and Michael P. Williams, alongside emerging voices including Matt Bell and Rachel B. Glaser. | ||||
| 2 | Nightmare Mode | Gabe Durham | October 26, 2021 | 978-1-940535-53-1 |
| The follow-up anthology presents works from contributors like Alexa Ray Corriea, David L. Craddock, Gabe Durham, Alex Kane, Jon Irwin, among others. | ||||