An open-source, Java-based 2D game engine. A new Look-and-Feel (LaF) for Java, which allows for a grid-based display of Unicode characters with custom fore/background colors, font sizes, and ...

A 2D top-down game written entirely in Java with no game engine. You explore a dungeon, collect keys scattered across the map, and use them to open doors in search of treasure ...

I don't know of any books, but I wrote a 2d game in Java which I lifted from download from the Java Boutique website. At least in 2001 there were tons of games and you could download the source code.