The Nintendo Power "revolution"

[lendelin]

Yesterday I got the recent NP, and I was surprised. After almost 17 years of difficulties to get the mailing label off w/o damaging the cover, NP finally uses glossy paper for the cover like GI or EGM which makes it easy to remove the label. The paper quality inside of the mag is unchanged.

But the big news is that NP seems to get a serious facelift from the next issue on. The glossy cover paper seems to be the introduction of a completely new layout.

On the last two pages there is Mario pictured revealing to one fourth the cover of the next issue. The traditional 17-year-old NP logo with the stripes is gone, and the cover resembles covers of GI or EGM.

I think we'll get a completely different NP, a modernized one, and a highly suspect a very different layout of the mag.

It was about time. Finally the games and interviews will be presented in a more appealing way, and I hope screenshots of games will be big enough so a magnifying glass is no longer needed.

It will be a small part of the image change N has to go through. Good for N, good for us gamers. N HAS to stay around in the game industry for the competition and variety in games sake.

[gamegirl79]

I have the most recent issue of NP also and I do like the new glossy covers. Snazzy!

I am excited about the upcoming changes, not just to the NP mag but the company as a whole. I believe that Nintendo is finally starting to realize what they need to do to be a strong competitor against Sony and Microsoft. Even though most of it is just rumors at this point, the Revolution sounds very promising.

[Lady Jaye]

However, I still think that there should be a retro section in NP. It'd probably be stuff that you and I already know, but to the average kid reading the mag, it could show the evolution of some of the games they've always known... and discover other stuff they didn't know (although I doubt they would ever get back on the PlayStation question, since it was one of those turning points that I'm sure they'd rather forget).

In a way it's too bad that they'd ditch the old logo (after 17 years!) but then again, the stripes logo... that's so 80s!

[imanerd0011]

However, I still think that there should be a retro section in NP. It'd probably be stuff that you and I already know, but to the average kid reading the mag, it could show the evolution of some of the games they've always known... and discover other stuff they didn't know (although I doubt they would ever get back on the PlayStation question, since it was one of those turning points that I'm sure they'd rather forget).

In a way it's too bad that they'd ditch the old logo (after 17 years!) but then again, the stripes logo... that's so 80s!

I agree. It seems that every issue someone writes in and asks for a Retro section, and NP usually says they are "thinking about it, or it's in the process". I think it would be cool if they would have a retro section, or maybe an interview or two from some of the old NP councelors.

[Jive3D]

Hell, we could write up a great retro section - even though we would be confined to only Nintendo products -

I think EGM does it - but I think NP could use a 'on this day in Nintendo history' and have How Mario was made, or the story behind the big deal behind Tetris debuting with the Gameboy and all the exclusivity they had with tetris at the time or the reasoning behind Super Mario USA & Super Mario Bros. 2, or better stuff that I can't think of right now.

[NintendoMan]

Hey lendelin, I was going to write this basically same exact thread right before I saw you write it.

It's funny that you mention the whole getting the mailing tab off the cover without damaging the issue. It's no problem to get it off, you just have to start on one side slow, VERY SLOW.
OR, wait a couple of weeks then do it, the sticky stuff wears down and the tab will basically just pull off in a few seconds. This is surprisingly a very big deal for me, because since I, and most of us, collect these issues and of course want them mint. WITH NO RIPS on the cover. A dream of mine would be if Nintendo sent out their mags in a sealed bag, like some mags do, with the adress label on the outside! But this of course would only be a dream.

I definately don't mind the new changes to the magazine. One thing NIntendo does need to do, is make the articles more presentable and more interesting to read. Seriously though, some articles if even they were VERy interesting, I could see how people might skip over them because they are presented very boring. (If that makes sense)

[Jorpho]

Meh. Nintendo went through a "revolution" seven years ago and I've stayed away from it since.

(Ads, I tell you! Shameless, shameless ads! Why, why, why?!)

[lendelin]

However, I still think that there should be a retro section in NP. It'd probably be stuff that you and I already know, but to the average kid reading the mag, it could show the evolution of some of the games they've always known... and discover other stuff they didn't know (although I doubt they would ever get back on the PlayStation question, since it was one of those turning points that I'm sure they'd rather forget).

In a way it's too bad that they'd ditch the old logo (after 17 years!) but then again, the stripes logo... that's so 80s!

I agree. It seems that every issue someone writes in and asks for a Retro section, and NP usually says they are "thinking about it, or it's in the process". I think it would be cool if they would have a retro section, or maybe an interview or two from some of the old NP councelors.

I agree and second the retro-section with you and Jive3D. Strange that GI does it, but NP which has the long history of videogame characters and series on its side, didn't do it.

To be fair, NP tried something like that in the mid 90s when 'old' NES games where presented and even delivered walkthroughs for them. (I remember StarTropics and Crystalis) But the section was the prisoner of the strategy guide approach for games which was the main credo of NP.
A more distant, rationalized view which doesn't emphasize the game content, but the history of games and their development conditions would be nice.

To have on two or four pages covering developers of older games, the history of a series and many other topics would be great. I expect something like that in the new layout.

[lendelin]

It's funny that you mention the whole getting the mailing tab off the cover without damaging the issue. It's no problem to get it off, you just have to start on one side slow, VERY SLOW.
OR, wait a couple of weeks then do it, the sticky stuff wears down and the tab will basically just pull off in a few seconds. This is surprisingly a very big deal for me, because since I, and most of us, collect these issues and of course want them mint. WITH NO RIPS on the cover.

I've been trying to get them labels off since 1989. :) ...and SLOW, VERY VERY slow, too. The glue they used was just terrible. One of the reasons I always had two subscriptions (still have two) I hate imperfections, and still today every little color damage on the cover disturb me.

...and for me it is a big deal too because I have a mint collection of NP in my closet, all the issues never touched and look fresh from the printer. (192 issues, holy cow, where have all my years disappeared?)

[Gzilla23]

If they do a retro section I wouldnt be opposed to some old school stratedy guides. That would be great. There are still a lot of old games that are very very hard...to me at least

[calthaer]

The whole thing's an advertisement, anyways. I just hope they keep coming up with some good promos like those awesome e-Reader cards they had a year or two back - instead of that lame DS ad they included in this glossy issue. Put an e-Reader card on that card instead of those stupid cut-out...what were they, trading cards?

[PDorr3]

hopefuly they will put in more worthy posters that deserve to be hung up, most of the time its some crappy disney game or a movie liscenced game.

[joshnickerson]

I just hope they keep coming up with some good promos like those awesome e-Reader cards they had a year or two back

Every time I open a new issue I keep hoping to find an e-Reader card that'll unlock all the stuff still hidden away in Super Mario Advance 4.

[DragonMaster Sam]

I got my new issue of Nintendo Power just the other day, and I think the glossy look is a cool idea. Definitely gonna read up on the E3 material, and I really can't wait for issue #200 when it comes out. If issues 50 and 100 were big, I'm sure the bicentennial mark will be huge.

By the way, I renewed my subscription, and went with the "Legend of Zelda" shirt.

[§ Gideon §]

... I hope screenshots of games will be big enough so a magnifying glass is no longer needed.

Erm... This is one thing that I'd actually be worried about. I'd rather have a magazine that relies more on solid content than big screenshots.

[lendelin]

... I hope screenshots of games will be big enough so a magnifying glass is no longer needed.

Erm... This is one thing that I'd actually be worried about. I'd rather have a magazine that relies more on solid content than big screenshots.

Well, solid content and high-quality screenshots do not exclude one another.

For a couple of years now I noticed that the quality of the screenshots isn't good, to say the least. Fuzzy sometimes, not crisp, and overall too small; a bad way to give the reader an impression how the game 'looks.'

Great third party games, albeit a bit late on the GC and sooner released on other platforms, were neglected and not effectively presented. Instead of previews or extensive Pokemoooon news, the mag should start to focus more on the games already released or about to be released.

NP needs to go in the direction of GI, address a more mature audience, and at the same time use less space for previews than GI...then it will become a great mag again; something very different which NP was at the end of the 80s to the mid 90s which was the right mag layout at the right time.

[zmweasel]

Instead of previews or extensive Pokemoooon news, the mag should start to focus more on the games already released or about to be released.

Thing is, game publishers loooove previews. That's why most current video game magazines are filled with multi-page previews and 200-word reviews. Previews deliver maximum hype with miminum criticism, and are much more effective at selling games than reviews.

I don't consider it a good or a bad thing, incidentally. The only real difference between gaming magazines and other entertainment/hobbyist magazines is that the former start building up the hype farther in advance than the latter.

And I don't see Nintendo giving more Power-placement to third-party Revolution titles, presuming there'll be any. (It's a moot point for now, anyway, since third parties have all but abandoned the Cube.)

-- Z.

[Jorpho]

Aye, I grow so weary of previews. It seems that one could spend more time reading about a game that hasn't been released yet than one could spend in simply playing it.

[gamegirl79]

hopefuly they will put in more worthy posters that deserve to be hung up, most of the time its some crappy disney game or a movie liscenced game.

The latest issue of NP has a pretty cool Castlevania poster in it with anime-looking characters. I believe a couple issues back there was a nice Zelda poster in there as well.

I love looking at the posters in the very old issues of NP!

[jdc]

We can get magazines with monthly Xbox and PS2 demo discs. It's about time that Nintendo got with the program and started doing a monthly Cube demo disc as well. I buy many games purely because a demo appealed to me enough to buy the game.

Not to mention the fact that I never miss buying an issue BECAUSE of the free demo discs.

[lendelin]

Instead of previews or extensive Pokemoooon news, the mag should start to focus more on the games already released or about to be released.

Thing is, game publishers loooove previews. That's why most current video game magazines are filled with multi-page previews and 200-word reviews. Previews deliver maximum hype with miminum criticism, and are much more effective at selling games than reviews.

I don't consider it a good or a bad thing, incidentally. The only real difference between gaming magazines and other entertainment/hobbyist magazines is that the former start building up the hype farther in advance than the latter.

And I don't see Nintendo giving more Power-placement to third-party Revolution titles, presuming there'll be any. (It's a moot point for now, anyway, since third parties have all but abandoned the Cube.)

-- Z.

As a publisher I'd love those previews too, they mean potentially more sales and more money.

As a reader I think the extent of the preview sections are troublesome in the meantime. I see the good aspects of them, not only the economic good aspects: information and to satisfy curiosity of the gamers for upcoming games. It is the equivalent of talking about sports a couple of days before the game. Previews are part of the game.

Another good aspect of an extensive preview article about a game is if developers are interviewed and address serious problems of game design. (like the three extensive preview articles GI has)

Otherwise, previews have to be reduced in length, the overall extent, and need to be more careful in judgement. They shouldn't repeat propaganda of the developer/publisher. It is ridiculous when I read in a preview how amazing and great, sometimes even groundbreaking a game is which will be released in six months (I think the last time I read this was in GI or GamePro for the upcoming Madden NFL; the game was even called an instant classic) Subtle and exaggerated judgement calls have to be reserved for the review, that's why they are there.

Journalists have to be aware that they are only fed with the good parts of a game months before the release, the preview is very selective.

Previews should be more very careful descriptions with a minimum of criticism. Reading the previews of a two year old game mag reveals how ridiculous the majority of them are knowing the final products and what became of them.

As for NP: yep, it is pretty much too late for extensive review coverage of third party titles. The third party support of the GC is awful in the last couple of months. A difficult time for a magazine. Then previews will make up the bulk of the mag as was the case during those terrible two last years of the N64....but there is still EA who produces as a rule for all platforms. I hope NP will present those games in a more appealing way.

[lendelin]

hopefuly they will put in more worthy posters that deserve to be hung up, most of the time its some crappy disney game or a movie liscenced game.

The latest issue of NP has a pretty cool Castlevania poster in it with anime-looking characters. I believe a couple issues back there was a nice Zelda poster in there as well.

I love looking at the posters in the very old issues of NP!

Yep, NP had lately nice lookin posters...and for the ones who have a complete collection of NP, it certainly delivers great posters of the past. I have in my game room framed posters of the first Final Fantasy but also posters for the first Mega Man X, Super Metroid and Secret of Mana.

[studvicious]

Ok guys/girls,

Now that the "New and Improved" NP is on the stands and in our mailboxes what do you think of it?

Personally at first glance it was apparent to me that they went for the "copy Game Informer page-for-page" look. From the cover layout to the triva quiz at the end - a total GI clone. Not that it's a bad thing, GI is probably my favorite mag nowadays - I just found it to be rather blatent I guess. LOL

All in all, I really like the new look and I *LOVE* the fact that the very next issue will come bundled with a DVD that contains the new Zelda trailer! Sweet! And it will also have trailers for a few other games too.

[Jorpho]

Heh, DVDs. I remember it was a big deal when they sent out the Donkey Kong Country preview videocasette!

[Barbarianoutkast85]

Speaking of that donkey kong vhs tape. What other tapes did they send out? I have:
Donkey Kong Country
Diddy Kong Racing
Star Fox 64
Invasion of Nintendo

I think those are the ones I have off the top of my head.

[Dobie]

I'm sure a majority of people will still hate it. I think its a vast improvement--there was a bunch more content. Compared to the last few editions, this one was much thicker, which was a welcome surprise. It still had that "go Nintendo!" vibe, but for the most part, it was toned down, with a focus on what I wanted--more reviews, and an emphasis on more than JUST first party stuff.

That coverage on the Sim City proto was completely unexpected. Who woulda thunk?

[kainemaxwell]

I haven't rea an issue of NP in years, I think I'll pick up the newest issue or the next one to take a look at the changes. :)

[Ed Oscuro]

Thing is, game publishers loooove previews. That's why most current video game magazines are filled with multi-page previews and 200-word reviews. Previews deliver maximum hype with miminum criticism, and are much more effective at selling games than reviews.

I don't consider it a good or a bad thing, incidentally.
Personally, I like reading previews online - but by the time I get to the review, every last good thing that's been said is absent and they bring up the flaws for (usually) the first time. Egh. I don't trust previews, fun as they may be. Every preview I've read hailed game X as the second coming of Christ, and inevitably few measure up.

Besides, I think you gave it away - previews are more developer-friendly than reviews, for the simple fact that previews are hype. I don't like being "sold" on something. I wait to find out what real people think about a game before I try it out. No offense meant, but it's my money.

[calthaer]

I don't trust Nintendo Power at all for any sort of reviews on games. The magazine is pwned by Nintendo, and is little more than a mouthpiece for their hype.

I get it for the bonuses and promos - Animal Crossing codes, the e-Reader cards they used to have, and stuff like that. Their promos have been fairly lame of late, though. We'll see about this DVD.

I want a CD that downloads legendary Pokemon to my cartridges.

[joshnickerson]

I know going into each issue that they're going to be a bit biased when rating games, so I have no problem taking their reviews with a grain of salt. I just got the revamp issue in the mail today, and I'm liking it. It's a bit more "Game Informer" than I would've liked, but I'm figuring they're going to be doing some tweaking as the issues go by. I especially like the new "Community" section, and the "Collecting" segment of that was awesome. And it might just be me, but there seems to be less ads than before. I hate the new "Classified Information". I don't care about a fancy layout on that page, just give us the codes in an easy to read manner.

Overall, I give it a B+.

[YoshiM]

I just picked it up yesterday and I must say it was a pretty good read. It had decent pictures, good content and had a good amount of pages. Everything is laid out really well in easy to digest sections. The reviews are lengthy, which is what I like (as opposed to the short snippets in order to get more games listed in a review) and there is a large score section for games over the last 12 or so months (if I'm not mistaken) which is broken down by system. The scoring doesn't seem too biased-a majority of the scores are similar to what other publications list. I question some of the Nintendo-made games though but haven't had a chance to dig further.

Overall, I'm impressed. The only real downside is that there still seems to be a section devoted to Poke'mon, but since there was a recent release that may just be a short-run feature, but then again that's totally subjective as I'm not a Poke' fan.

[NintendoMan]

I've been trying to get them labels off since 1989. :) ...and SLOW, VERY VERY slow, too. The glue they used was just terrible. One of the reasons I always had two subscriptions (still have two) I hate imperfections, and still today every little color damage on the cover disturb me.

...and for me it is a big deal too because I have a mint collection of NP in my closet, all the issues never touched and look fresh from the printer. (192 issues, holy cow, where have all my years disappeared?)

Well, thats definately true with the old glue, there is NO WAY IN HELL, basically, of getting those off!!! I guess I was mostly talking about the more current issues.

I almost have every issue, in PERFECT MINT shape. I am probably only missing about 10 issues currently. Back in about '99 when Nintendo was still offering bunbles of NP's back issues (I.E. 1-9, 10-19, etc.) I bought the first 60 issues and arrived PERFECT MINT! I have never looked at them til this day.

Just curious, what do you store your NP's in? I use ULTRA PRO magazine pages, and put that into a baseball card binder. I oly put about 10-12 issues in each binder, otherwise it get very packed and damage would probably then occur to the mags.