Video Game Publications in Print
These active publications are keeping the spirit of printed game media alive
This web site right here is called SUPERJUMP Magazine, yet the outlet has never printed an issue you can hold in your hands and smell (hey, magazines hot off the presses smell great!), but at this point the magazine exists more as a notion rather than an actual physical object. So, why call a web site on Medium a magazine at all? Well, it’s all about the spirit. The sentiment is a bit like that one Rush song, except here we’re talking about print instead of radio!
I guess one could call it a “vibe”, as it’s all the little things like layout, banner headers, stylistic fonts, and of course pretty artwork, where all these elements add up to a create standout and recognisable presentation. More than appearances, it’s also about the tone and delivery of the writer, and how numerous articles are curated in a manner consistent with the overall editorial voice of the magazine. Just look at SUPERJUMP here, no doubt every article here no matter who authors it, exudes the thrill and delight they experience for the art and science behind the video games they love.
Writing primarily from an Australian context, we once had iconic publications like Hyper, now barely an echo in the memory of modern gamers. If you haven’t already, do check out the history of the rise and fall of Hyper Magazine by author Mikolai Napieralski, and their Medium author page has plenty of retrospective pieces on classic mags from all over the globe, all part of a much larger project to document the colourful history of print media in video games.
Of course, while most magazines have long become relics remembered only by those who grew up reading them, there are still a few longstanding examples which continue to exist in active circulation.
Mainstays
Having the backing of a publishing giant and with a global reach can go a long way to ensure the continued success of a publication. Edge has long been an esteemed institution of the gaming press, and even to this day an ever elusive 10/10 from an Edge reviewer turns heads.
Then there is Game Informer, which lives up to its namesake by being quite thorough in terms of the number of titles covered, while also being one of the cheapest magazines you can pick up from newsstands or your local GameStop/EB Games. It almost feels like a monthly newsletter, but in a good way of course.
PC PowerPlay, which is now part of the PC Gamer family, maintains its readership and high editorial standard, with informative spotlights on major release and great advice on all the PC gaming tech. With video games nowadays releasing on nearly all platforms simultaneously worldwide, an outlet like PC PowerPlay doesn’t really alienate console gamers in the slightest.
Although we no longer have dedicated official print media for Xbox or Nintendo, the Official PlayStation Magazine relaunched as PLAY earlier this year, and with four issues in, it continues to be the best resource for PlayStation fans (the UK and AU versions differ in their cover artwork and content, by the way), especially thanks to its honest and informative reviews.
Gaming moves fast nowadays, and more often than not the aforementioned magazines tend to lag behind websites, unless they manage to score a world exclusive. Looking into the past of gaming, UK publication Retro Gamer was quite literally lightning in a bottle, and although it wasn’t necessarily the first retro-themed magazine, it made use of its networks to full effect by reaching out to true legends from the industry, and providing lavishly produced retrospectives on numerous classic systems and franchises. The enthusiasm found within its pages is simply infectious, and they have crafted a steady momentum of great content over the years. Also, when it comes to gaming anniversaries, no one throws a better party than Retro Gamer. If you can’t keep up with the regular issues, then the publisher puts out enormous bookazine collections of the best articles.
These mainstays are backed by publishing house giants, with access to efficient distribution logistics. Yet, even now there are numerous independent publications which have managed to defy the odds and thrive, even maintaining their momentum and dedicated readership through the pandemic.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s currently out there (disclaimer: to the best of my knowledge and reading to date!). What’s worth noting here is while all of these are indeed in physical print, readers also have an option to purchase a digital PDF for their favourite device, and for a much lower price too.
Lock On
If you’ve been reading SUPERJUMP recently then you’re familiar with this adventurous print project by Lost in Cult, which is more premium journal than your typical magazine. There’s really nothing much more I can say that hasn’t already been covered by Medium author 1-UP, by not only providing a detailed review of the journal itself, with an in-depth interview with its Editor-in-Chief, but also a deep dive into the creative process behind an article written for a meta-philosophical video game journal.
If you’re after something far removed from the usual reviews and retrospectives, then Lock On just might be what your curious gaming soul has been yearning for. Also goes without saying, but the artwork is positively breathtaking.
Web site: Lost In Cult
Nintendo Force
A true icon of the ’90s era, Nintendo Power was once the be all end all of video game print, an outlet which not only shared their proudly biased championing of all things Nintendo, but they went above and beyond to make their readership feel like an active community. Not to mention, the generous freebies in the form of numerous posters and other goodies.
Rising from the ashes of this rich legacy, Nintendo Force carries on the torch of tradition by championing Nintendo with a unique voice, albeit in a far more refined and polished form. What hasn’t changed, though, is the extent to which they involve their readership into the community, with regular letters and even fan artwork. Although you will find plenty of clean and concise reviews here, the real draw here are the in-depth and informative feature spreads written by industry veterans.
Web site: NF Magazine, Made by the Nintendo Force!
Switch Player Magazine
Brought to you by the same team that produced The Vita Lounge, Switch Player is a little more proactive than Nintendo Force in their coverage, as they do a solid job of keeping up with the increasingly busy eShop release cycle.
Their web site is updated regularly with latest reviews, where the monthly print magazine stands out thanks to utterly charming custom cover art, as well as unique features and opinion pieces. The best part is, all past issues of Switch Player are officially archived for free on the Issuu platform, where you can also find back issues of The Vita Lounge.
Web site: Switch Player
Mega Visions
You know how the old saying goes: SEGA does what Nintendon’t. And so, to not be outshined by Nintendo fans even in the print media department, we have a dedicated outlet for all things SEGA in Mega Visions. Although the developer and publisher itself is no longer part of the console rat race since the death of the Dreamcast, these guys are still partying with their VMUs and preserving the magic of classic SEGA consoles. The outlet is dedicated to not just the past, but also the present as it covers all the latest hits such as the Yakuza series. You can also imagine their excitement when Shenmue III finally existed!
Recently, the magazine itself had a relaunch, and while they still plan to cover and celebrate all things SEGA, they will also cover other parts of gaming. In fact, their latest cover features Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy VII) of all people. Times sure have changed, and so have SEGA fans.
Web site: Home : Mega Visions — SEGA, Nintendo, Xbox, PlayStation, Retro news, reviews, features, podcasts
The Indie Gamer Magazine
Indie video games have become the lifeblood of the video game industry, and so to have an active and thriving print publication for all things indie gaming is a pretty cool thing. It makes sense too, and if Retro Gamer created a winning formula by focusing on the past, then The Indie Gamer Magazine have started to forge something similar for the ever expanding indie scene.
What stands out here are the exclusive developer spotlights and previews. From personal experience, indie game developers are some of the nicest people to reach out to for a chat, and so it’s great to see them have a platform where their work can be featured as a lavish spread within a print magazine.
Web site: HOME | Indie Gamer (indiegamermag.com)
FromGamers
A relatively newer outlet with two issues out already, and an upcoming third issue recently going through a Kickstarter Campaign. Launching in the middle of a pandemic, FromGamers is a magazine created by gamers for gamers, and so far has defied all challenges and logistics to realise its vision.
Anyone in North America who grew up reading Diehard Game Fan back in the day, will no doubt find a similar almost punk-rock fandom for gaming within these pages, right from the zany and stylised cover artwork. What this magazine really focuses on is presentation, where each feature receives their own unique stylistic layout. It’s a fun magazine to just look at, and the genuine enthusiasm for the subject matter shines through in the writing as well.
Web site: FromGamers Magazine — A new print gaming magazine
Old School Gamer Magazine
One on end of the video game print spectrum you have an ambitious journal like Lock On, across it you will find a variety of magazines of varying styles, then right at the other end you have something once known as a Fanzine, works of sheer and honest passion produced by everyday gamers like us. Think of them as newsletter blogs on paper, long before platforms like WordPress or Blogger even existed. Fanzines were handed out for free at community centers back in the day, and video game fanzines were once the primary means through which gamers to felt connected and informed.
Old School Gamer Magazine feels exactly like a fanzine, in all of its unapologetically rusty glory. It’s rough around the edges to be sure, but in an absolutely fun and charming way which should be celebrated. It’s the kind of video game expression we don’t see too much of anymore, where gamers are entirely themselves in their written expression. Best part is, there is a free subscription option where new issues are emailed directly, and if you happen to reside in North America, then it’s absolutely worth it just to keep informed of all the latest retro gaming conventions and events.
Web site: Old School Gamer Magazine — Old School Gamer Magazine
Are you subscribed to any of these magazines?
More importantly: Are there any more out there not covered in this article? Please do share in the comments below!
