In the past forty years we have seen huge technological leaps: computers, the Internet, and mobile phones, among many other fantastic things. The human nature to play and the need to be challenged mingled with these technologies, and videogames were the result.

A whole generation has grown up with videogames; to them, holding a joystick is as natural as holding as pencil. Videogames have survived economic setbacks, refusing to be destroyed by a fickle market, always managing to evolve into something new to capture the imagination and find some way to take over lives and homes.

Sonic, Mario, PlayStationa these terms are now part of the cultural lexicon. It isn't uncommon to find a console lurking under televisions but at the same time, this newly emerged media has come under attack by those looking to find a cause for society's ills. Part rock 'n' roll, part multibillion dollar industry, videogaming is the fastest growing media in modern culture. Clearly, it is here to stay.

The Pocket Essential Videogaming contains: a complete history of videogames; cultural essays on branding, popular culture, violence and female gamers; and reviews of over 120 of the most important videogames of the past thirty years.