What do I have to know if i wanna build a video game system.

Hi,I wanna make something like NES or Attari for my graduation project (after three years lol)...
And I wanna start reading and working on it now..
I know what the basic components are (i,e processor,ram,graphics processor,etc) but I need more details now....and it would be great if you tell me some book titles and links...

THX..