Boss Fight Books
191 pages, $14.95

Reviewed by Kelsie Hahn

Ken Baumann’s EarthBound is the first release from Boss Fight Books, a press founded by Gabe Durham and Baumann to publish books that celebrate classic video games.

EarthBound the game is a quirky, funny, and often satirical role-playing game from Japan set in the U.S. In it, the hero Ness and his friend battle spiteful crows, hot cups of coffee, ramblin’ evil mushrooms, skate punks, and other assorted villains tainted by the evil influence of Giygas. The game was a massive launch in America in 1995 with lousy sales. But those wise enough, or lucky enough, to have purchased the game at its launch have loved and championed it. It is by turns funny and moving, irreverent and wise. Continue reading →