Our Story
Hagens Alley Books, founded by author and retro gaming enthusiast Jeffrey Wittenhagen, is dedicated to producing high-quality books that celebrate the rich history and culture of video games. The company specializes in creating collector's books, compendiums, and cultural chronicles that explore a wide variety of gaming topics with meticulous care and passion.
At the heart of Hagen's Alley Books are its flagship series, which provide deep dives into specific aspects of gaming history. The Complete Series—including The Complete NES, The Complete SNES, and The Complete Genesis—delivers comprehensive looks at iconic gaming platforms, celebrating their games, hardware, and cultural significance. These series are designed to be collector-focused, with large-format editions and detailed content for enthusiasts worldwide.
In addition to platform-specific series, the Metroidvania Chronicles offers an unparalleled exploration of one of gaming’s most beloved genres. Spanning multiple volumes, this series celebrates the creativity and diversity of Metroidvania titles, featuring developer interviews, game analyses, and beautiful artwork.
The Switch Collector Series is another standout, offering a definitive guide to the physical releases on the Nintendo Switch. This series catalogs the history of the system’s library and serves as a valuable resource for collectors and fans of Nintendo's hybrid console.
Hagens Alley Books extends its passion for gaming history into other media. Through the Indie Gaming Gems YouTube channel, the company highlights hidden indie titles that deserve a broader audience. This effort is intertwined with a forthcoming Indie Gaming Gems book series, which will compile the channel’s featured games into a visually stunning and informative publication, bridging the gap between digital content and printed archival preservation.
In the podcasting space, Hagens Alley Books connects directly with the gaming community through the VGBS Gaming Podcast, the Indie-Credible Podcast, and other initiatives. These shows delve into topics ranging from retrospectives on classic titles to discussions on indie development, with a focus on the stories and people behind the games. Each podcast reflects the company’s commitment to celebrating gaming culture and history.
Through these projects and many more, Hagens Alley Books continues to cement its reputation as a leader in the preservation and celebration of gaming history. By delivering meticulously crafted works and fostering connections in the gaming community, the company remains a cornerstone for collectors, enthusiasts, and scholars alike.
