Trigger Happy: A Visual Compendium is the latest release from premium video game book publishers Bitmap Books. The 400-page book will be available for pre-order from November 17, 2025, at a price of approximately $43. Those interested can pre-register for an email alert when the book sales go live. Trigger Happy will cover the history of controllers and has been co-authored by veteran game journalist Steve Jarratt and gaming expert and photographer Christian Wenk.

As with other Bitmap Books tomes, Trigger Happy will feature edge-to-edge, high-quality lithographic printing, Pantone ink used throughout, and be presented in hardback. It will also have sewn binding for enduring quality and the ability to lay flat for ideal double-page image viewing. To round off the exquisite build, there will also be a bookmark ribbon and a pocket with 5 full-colour art prints. 

As well as the main articles from Steve Jarrett, there are plenty of other famous video game folk who’ve contributed, including Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins, James Rolfe (AKA Angry Video Game Nerd), Rare game designer and voice actor Kevin Bayliss, and DOOM creator John Romero. Featured devices include the beloved Atari CX40 and Competition Pro joysticks, the stock pads of consoles like the NEOGEO, PC Engine, and PlayStation, and modern reimaginings of esteemed controllers like the Amiga CD32’s.