A Guide to Video Game Magazines
( Please note that the prices given for a years subscription are taken either off of the magazines official website or a site offering the product. The cheapest price listed was used. To make sure of any unforeseen changes, always go directly to the magazines site. )
GamePro
12 issues for $17.97
The Californian based magazine has been on store shelves since 1989 when it burst onto the market. 16 years and 200 editions later, GamePro is widely seen as one of the best gaming magazines available. Some of the more notable features include letters from readers, a Buyers Beware Help center and previews/reviews for all of the major consoles. Separate sections are used for handheld, arcade, computer, sports and role-playing games.
The most beneficial feature in the magazine is without a doubt it’s news section which gives you a balanced look at everything in the news. Also, a brief look at some of the hottest products on the market with a review of quality and prices.
They do a tremendous job with offering plenty of full colored pictures of games that can help you in determining whether or not a particular game warrants your hard earned money. Usually you can count on a full feature based on whatever “big” games are in the works. In the past, such games as the Grand Theft Auto series, the Metal Gear Solid series, the Halo and Metroid Prime games have been featured.
Overall, the magazine can stand a chance of being overblown with advertisements and at some times it may seem as if everything is geared towards a younger consumer base. All in all, if you are a multi-console gamer, give GamePro a chance.
Electronic Gaming Monthly
12 issues for $19.97
This magazine is known as EGM and is one of the elder statesman if you will, having been created in 1989. EGM is regarded in gaming circles as the “Top Dog” for older consumers. The usual round of features include letters from readers, an editorial on a major story, news of the gaming world and reviews/previews for all the consoles. A nice little tidbit of a feature is a rumors section where the magazine will either defuse or continue some stories that are out there.
Unlike other magazines that offer reviews from a single writer, EGM offers shorter reviews from three different writers. Obviously the benefit is that it gives you the reader a better idea of the pluses and minuses of a single game.
In every issue, the editors will have a brief discussion on some topic, usually the cover feature. People’s main gripes with EGM are the shorter reviews and large number of advertisements throughout the magazine.
This is a fine publication for you multi-console gamers and is strongly recommended for teenagers and adults looking for news and the like.
Nintendo Power
12 issues for $19.95
As you can tell, Nintendo Power is the publication based solely around Nintendo products. The opening issue was in the Summer of 1988 with the large popularity of Super Mario Bros 2. If you’re a strong Nintendo enthusiast then this is the magazine for you.
The usual round of news, previews/reviews are all here along with pics of all the games. The major knocks against Nintendo Power is sometimes it can be a bit biased in favor of it’s own products and it’s said to be geared towards children. However, if you are an older being then there’s nothing wrong with the coverage it provides you to make your own
decisions as far as purchases go.
With Nintendo’s slowly decreasing power in the console business, I recommend that you purchase a magazine like GamePro or EGM to get serious news and unbiased attention. There may not be as much coverage, no, there won’t be as much coverage as in Nintendo Power but you can always search the web.
Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine
12 issues/12 discs for $39.95
The reason for the expensive price is that each magazine comes with a demo disc with some playable game demo’s and some video demo’s. On newsstands, the price will likely be around $8.99 give or take a dollar.
If your a loyal Sony gamer then this is the magazine for you. Being that the powers that be in the company have power over the content, you’re usually safe to find out news before any other place has it. An interesting twist to the magazine is that it offers a few DVD reviews, since the PS2 doubles as a DVD player.
With the PS3 looking to hit stores sometime in 2006, without a doubt this is the place to get everything you need to know on the product.
Official XBox Magazine
12 issues/12 discs for $24.95
The Official Microsoft run magazine for the X-Box comes with a demo disc full of playable and video demo’s. A subscription plan will cost you less then going to newsstands every month and plunking down the nine dollars. Like any “Official” console magazine, it will lean on the biased side. But looking past that, reviews are chock full of useful information.
After the general review of the game, the editor will give you some random facts, good and bad points as well as a verdict on the overall game.
If you own an X-Box console or are planning on purchasing or atleast researching about the upcoming Microsoft next-generation console, this is really the only worthwhile magazine to purchase. It will give you access to games that no other magazine could give you with ease.
