• Tag Archives video games

  • Computer + Video Games (October 1985)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Computer + Video Games – Issue Number 48 – October 1985

    Computer + Video Games was perhaps the longest running video game magazine not just in the U.K. where it was published, but in the world. Like the name suggests, it covered both video games and computer games of whatever systems were popular at the time. The October 1985 issue includes:

    Features

    • The Great Mud Challenge – A competition involving a Multi-User Dungeon (M.U.D.)
    • Shatter – Titled after the main character, this comic book was the first created with a computer. Fittingly, it seems to have a cyberpunk theme.
    • The Lord of the Rings – A preview of Lord of the Rings, a series of computer games based on the Tolkien novels.
    • Dear Bughunters – Reader submitted bugs/bug fixes to type-in programs published in C+VG.
    • Rupert and the Toymaker’s Party – A screen by screen map of Rupert and the Toymaker’s Party published by Quicksilva for the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum.
    • The Bughunters – An ongoing comic book published within the pages of C+VG.
    • Summer Games Challenge – A competition involving Summer Games II for the Commodore 64.
    • Adventure Helpline – Help for various adventure games including The Tracer Sanction, Gruds in Space, Message from Andromeda, Eureka, Ground Zero, Pub Quest, Twin Kingdom Valley, Tir Na Nog, Pharoah’s Tomb, and more.
    • C+VG Software Charts – Coming in at the top of the overall list this month is Hypersports by Imagine for the Commodore 64 and Spectrum. Games in the top 30 that I have played before include Spy Hunter, Spy Vs. Spy, Pitstop 2, Beach Head, Pole Position, and Kik Start (a hugely underrated game that few people have probably heard of). There are also machine specific lists for the Commodore 64, Spectrum, and Amstrad.
    • Ideas Central – Game hints and cheats submitted by readers for Entombed, Dun Darach, Airwolf, Suicide Express, Bounty Bob Strikes Back, Frank Bruno’s Boxing, Way of the Exploding Fits, and Pitstop II.
    • Hall of Fame – Reader submitted high scores for Bruce Lee, Spy Hunter, Hyper Sports, and more.
    • Mailbag – Letters from readers about special effects in Tron and The Last Starfighter, game availability for the Amstrad, competition entry forms, and more.
    • PSI Warrior – Another comic book published in the pages of CVG.
    • Diary of a Game – The final part in a month by month look at how Space Doubt for the Commodore 64 was developed.

    News + Reviews

    • News – Wizard for the Commodore 64 released, A View to A Kill based on the James Bond movies of the same name now available for the Amstrad, plus news of other new releases such as The Devil’s Crown, Bored of the Rings, White Knight Mk12, and more.
    • Reviews – Reviews of Frankie Goes to Hollywood (Commodore 64), Spy Vs. Spy (Commodore 64), Tour de France (Commodore 64), Road Race (Commodore 64), Boffin (BBC), Talos (Spectrum), Red Arrows (Spectrum/Commodore 64), Aabatron (BBC/Electron), Hyperdrive (Sinclair QL), Mad Doctor (Commodore 64), Hijack (Atari 400/800), Bio-Defense (Atari 400/800), Jump Jet (Amstrad), Dambusters (Spectrum), Robin Hood (Dragon 32), April Showers (BBC), One Last Game (BBC/Electron), Codename Mat II (Spectrum/Amstrad/Commodore 64), Racing Destruction Set (Commodore 64) – Rock ‘N Roll Racing was a much later sequel to this game, Southern Belle (Spectrum), Journey (Commodore 64), Profanation (Spectrum), Kennedy Approach (Commodore 64), and Matabolis (Spectrum/Amstrad/Commodore 64).
    • Arcade Action – A look at some of the latest arcade games including Top Gear, Nemesis, My Hero!, and City Connection.
    • Adventure Reviews – Reviews of Enthar Seven (BBC B), Super Gran (Spectrum/Commodore 64/Amstrad), Terrormolinos! (Spectrum – more of a preview really), Mordon’s Quest (Spectrum/Amstrad/Commodore 64), Castle Dracula, Red Moon, and more.

    Games Book

    • Moon Buggy (Spectrum) – A type-in game that is a clone of the arcade game of the same name.
    • Manic Pacman (Commodore 64) – A type-in version of Pacman for the C64.
    • Asteroid Lander (Amstrad) – A type-in game that is reminiscent of Defender or Choplifter.
    • Day at the Races (Atari) – A type-in horse racing game that can be played by up to four player.

    …and more!


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  • GamePro (June 1996)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: GamePro – Issue Number 93 – June 1996

    GamePro was one of the most popular gaming magazines of the 1990s. I didn’t pick up GamePro very often because there were other magazines I preferred (e.g. Electronic Gaming Monthly) and I didn’t have unlimited funds for magazines. GamePro always felt like it had a slightly younger target audience but it was still a solid magazine. The June 1996 issue includes:

    FeatureS

    • GamePro Readers’ Choice Awards – The best games and systems of the year as determined by readers. Some of the highlights include Myst (Saturn) for best strategy game, Chrono Trigger (SNES) for best role-playing game, Zoop for best puzzle game, PlayStation for best overall system, Ultimate Mortal Kombat for best arcade game, Road Rash 3 (Genesis) for best 16-bit racing sim, Donkey Kong Land (Game Boy) for best handheld game, Destruction Derby (PlayStation) for best next-gen racing game, and Doom (PlayStation) for best next-gen corridor shooter (I guess “first person shooter” wasn’t as universal of a term as it would become?). There are a bunch of other categories with each category having several entries.
    • Electronic Entertainment Expo Sneak Previews – Better known as E3, this used to be an important event in the gaming industry. Some new things shown (most still under development at the time) include Star Wars: Shadow of the Empire (Nintendo 64), Super Mario 64 (Nintendo 64), Turok Dinosaur Hunter (Nintendo 64), Shredfest (PlayStation, Saturn), Tigershark (PlayStation, PC CD), Pandemonium (PlayStation), Bogey: Dead 6 (PlayStation), Jumping Flash 2 (PlayStation), Dark Forces (PlayStation), Rebel Assault II (PlayStation), Bubsy 3D (PlayStation, Saturn), Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (Saturn), Tomb Raider (Saturn), Gun Griffon (Saturn), X-Perts (Genesis), Vectorman 2 (Genesis), and lots more.
    • War Gods: First Look from the ACME Show – A first look at the War Gods arcade game. This was a new 3D fighter from Midway.
    • Watch Out for War Gods: A Fighter’s Edge Special Report – A detailed look into Midway’s new 3D fighting game.
    • 16-Bit Gamer’s Survival Guide – 32-bit consoles had been around for about a year at this point but 16-bit consoles were still going strong. This is a look at some of the latest games for 16-bit systems including Bass Masters Classic ’96 (SNES), Bugs Bunny in Double Trouble (Genesis), Ken Griffy Jr’s Winning Run (SNES), Lobo (Genesis) Marsupilami (Genesis), Maui Mallard (SNES), Mo Hawk and Headphone Jack (SNES), Time Killers (Genesis), and more plus a couple of best of lists.

    SWATPro Strategy Section

    • Resident Evil PlayStation ProStrategy Guide – A detailed strategy guide for the game that popularized the survival horror genre.
    • Super Mario RPG Super NES ProStrategy Guide – A strategy guide for Super Mario RPG. These guides aren’t something you want to use unless you are really stuck. Otherwise, I think they spoil the game.
    • SWATPro – Hints, tips, cheats and more for Bases Loaded ’96 (PlayStation), NHL All-Star Hockey (Saturn), Earthworm Jim: Special Edition (Sega CD), Return Fire (3DO), PO’ed (PlayStation), Doom (3DO), ViewPoint (PlayStation), Last Gladiators: Digital Pinball (Saturn), Raiden Project (PlayStation), Shinobi Legends (Saturn), Sega Rally Championship (Saturn), Darius Gaiden (Saturn), Toy Story (Super NES), and more.
    • Lunar II: Eternal Blue (Sega CD) – A guide to reaching both endings in this RPG. I always wanted this (and its predecessor) for the TG-16 CD-ROM but for some reason never got around to playing them.
    • Return Fire (PlayStation) – Tips for this overhead helicopter combat game. It reminds me a bit of the Strike series (Desert Strike, Urban Strike, etc.).
    • Zero Divide – Special moves and combos for this robot fighting game.
    • Samurai Showdown III (Neo Geo) – A move list for this classic fighting game on the Neo Geo.

    Departments

    • Letter from the GamePros – A look at some of the latest changes to the magazine.
    • The Mail – Letters from readers about “palette swap” characters in games, NBA in the Zone, AC adapters for the Sega Nomad, and more.
    • GamePro Gallery – Video game related artwork from readers.
    • Buyers Beware – Questions answered about the shareware version of Duke Nukem 3D, the price of Killer Instinct 2, Squaresoft, XBand keyboard repair, playing old games on new systems, and more.
    • ProNews – Angry mom gets Primal Rage removed from store shelves; Sega, Sony and Nintendo cut console prices; PlayStation sales go over the 1 million mark; new VR baseball game; and more.
    • GamePro Online – Some of the GamePro content you can find on America Online, various web sites, and more.
    • The Cutting Edge – A look at the $150 28.8bps modem for the Sega Saturn.
    • GamePro Labs – A look at a new disc called The Game Guru for the 3DO that provides cheats by altering saved games.
    • PC GamePro – PC coverage was a bit of an afterthought with GamePro. This section has brief looks at HyperBlade (PlayStation, Saturn, PC CD), Vikings: The Strategy of Conquest (PC CD, Mac CD), and Kingdom O’ Magic (PC CD).
    • Hot at the Arcades – A look at some of the latest arcade games including Virtua Fighter 3, War Gods, Tokyo Wars, Ace Driver Victory Lap, Dirt Dash, NBA Hang Time, Dunk Mania, Batman Forever, NBA Jam Extreme, Run and Gun 2, Midnight Run, Crypt Killer, Metal Slug, Dungeons & Dragons, Art of Fighting 3, and Street Fighter Alpha 2.
    • Overseas ProSpects – A look at new and upcoming arcade games in Japan including Virtua Fighter Kids, Prop Cycle, Sonic the Fighter, and Star Gladiator.

    …and more!


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  • The Games Machine (April 1990)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: The Games Machine – Issue Number 29 – April 1990

    The Games Machine was a relatively short-lived gaming magazine published in the U.K. It covered both console and computer games though it was only published from 1987 to 1990. In particular, it had a lot of coverage of the Amiga and Atari ST. The April 1990 issue includes:

    Regulars

    • Boot-Up! – The latest news and preview: Mont Mole, Ninja Spirits, Wipe Out, Stormlord II, Dragon Strike, Frontline, World Cup Soccer ’90, Enigma Variations, and much more.
    • Konnichi Wa To You – A look at some of the latest and upcoming software releases in Japan, including Ghouls ‘n’ Ghosts (Super Grafx), Genpeitomaden, Super Volleyball (PC Engine), Paranoia (PC Engine CD-ROM), Final Zone 2 (PC Engine CD-ROM), Sokoban World, Handy PC Engine (called the PC Engine GT upon release), and more.
    • Venture Forth – A look at the latest adventure, strategy and role-playing games, including Bandit Kings of Ancient China, Ultima VI: The False Prophet, Circuit’s Edge, Hero’s Quest, Yes Chancellor!, Demon’s Tomb, Star Flight 2, Day of the Viper, Search for the Titanic, Chaos Strikes Back, Prince, The Colonel’s Bequest, Sherman M4, and more.

    Game Special

    • The Epic Epic – A 3D space game that was originally to be called Goldrunner 3-D.
    • Oh Yes It Can! – Previews of some potentially impressive new games including Anarchy (Atari ST), Firestorm (Atari ST), and Witchcraft (Amiga).
    • Topple The Tower of Babel – A strategy guide for Tower of Babel.

    Features

    • Super Grafx – A look at NEC’s follow-up to the TurboGrafx-16 / Turbo Duo. Sadly, it never made much impact, especially outside of Japan.
    • Digitizing – A review of Vidichrome, an upgrade package that expands the Rombo digitizing package for the Amiga to full color.
    • Behind the Scenes – A look at how artwork in created for The Games Machine using a Macintosh and Adobe Illustrator ’88.
    • Shooting Stars – A guide to becoming a pop star with the help of a personal computer.
    • Visions – This article predicts that in the future games will be played on an all-in-one entertainment system featuring a TV, CD-ROM drive, and console.
    • Compact Creations – Discover how CDs are made (pressed) and how data and audio gets on them.

    Interaction

    • Win A Jacket! – Win a leather jacket in this Monty Mole themed contest.
    • Playing Tips – Tips, tricks and cheats for Strider (Atari ST, C64), Operation Thunderbolt (C64, Amiga), Mega Man (Nintendo), It Came From The Desert (Amiga), Future Wars, Space Harrier (PC Engine), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Ghosts ‘N’ Goblins (Nintendo), and more.
    • Letters – Letters from readers about the Atari Lynx, TV shows about computers, game consoles in Spain, game quality on the Amiga, and more.

    …and more!


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