Nintendo Power's Final Cover

the good news: by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-01 18:24 · Score: 2, Funny

gent, swank, penthouse, hustler, and barely legal are still published.

Re:the good news: by Grayhand · 2012-12-01 18:49 · Score: 5, Funny

gent, swank, penthouse, hustler, and barely legal are still published.
The fact you would lump Nintendo Power with a bunch of stroke mags I find deeply disturbing. Your mother's basement must be a very scary place.
Re:the good news: by jhoegl · 2012-12-01 19:38 · Score: 4, Funny

What? You dont get them for the articles?
Re:the good news: by mwvdlee · 2012-12-01 20:12 · Score: 1

Why? They're all single-"platform"?

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Re:the good news: by hairyfeet · 2012-12-01 21:01 · Score: 1, Insightful

Here is what I don't get....why should anybody care again? It was basically an infomercial for Nintendo...okay? Why should we get weepy about what was really nothing more than a 30 page ad for Nintendo?
I mean they'd throw in the occasional tips and tricks, but did you ever ONCE, just one time, see them telling kids "Don't waste your money on this game" ever? They would find something good to say about any old crap shoved out the door and call me weird, but I don't get weepy about an infomercial just because its an OLD infomercial, because in the end its still about shoving games, good or not, and I don't think that is really something to mourn.
Now if Angry Joe, or Yathzee were calling it quits? Then yeah i would feel sad, because they have given me actually USEFUL information about games coming up, and even when I didn't agree with them on a verdict I still learned enough about a game that I knew whether or not it would be something I like. Considering even hand held games are nearly $40 a pop and big name games $60? I want REAL information, not some "Buy it, buy it now! Have I told you that you should buy it, buy it now yet?"
If I want to feel sad about something its the fact that we didn't have any real and honest mags easily available back then, man the amount of money i would have saved if I would have known about some of the stinkers i shelled out money for, Castlevania 64 anyone?
Honestly i just don't get all the nostalgia, I mean here I am in my mid 40s and instead of looking back I want everybody to just look at what we have now and be fucking amazed! Computers that would have been the stuff of sci-fi even 20 years ago, and ANYBODY can afford them! Handheld computers everywhere, nice well working tablets for less than $100 that can give you a wealth of information and entertainment (including gaming) in your hands any time! Incredible graphics, incredible speed and power, and thanks to the economies of scale just about anybody can afford to enjoy all this incredible technology!
So excuse me if I don't shed a tear for a 30 page advertisement, I'll just never understand nostalgia for that kind of junk.

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Re:the good news: by dasunt · 2012-12-01 23:39 · Score: 1

What? You dont get them for the articles?
You can get compilations of the Playboy Interviews in book form.
They are worth the read.
Ironically, for all the jokes about getting those types of magazines for the articles, some of them had really decent articles and short fiction.
Re:the good news: by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-02 00:35 · Score: 3, Insightful

Well you see, for most of us we did not have to grow up with our parents beating us to within an inch of our lives, and who despite ability to do so, wanted us to be loved and have things that we loved to do.
For those of us with GOOD memories of our childhoods, quite a few have equally loving memories of Nintendo, and actually have feelings of sadness and sorrow when those memories have to be put fully behind us.
People such as yourself, who did not grow up with loving parents, and had no friends to play Nintendo with (either from being too abused as a child to have such toys, or being such an obnoxious prick due to it to be tolerated spending time at friends who did have one) - Yes we can understand why you would want to put such hell behind you.
When your life ambition is to become a professional slashdot troll, like harryfeet has been for the past decade, and your only goal is to trash talk everything that others find joy in, it is not at all surprising that you would not shed a single tear for happy memories which you simply do not have.
Just try to realize that not all of us hate our self and our lives so fully, and actually want to preserve the happy memories of our childhoods. This, is why we feel nostalgia and sadness at it's loss.
Re:the good news: by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-02 01:03 · Score: 3, Funny

You were adopted and your parents never really loved you.
Re:the good news: by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-02 01:05 · Score: 5, Informative

"but did you ever ONCE, just one time, see them telling kids "Don't waste your money on this game" ever? "
You have a selective memory. Here is the list of review scores they've given Wii games. http://www.gamerankings.com/sites/768-nintendo-power/index.html?platform=1031
I see plenty of low scores. I also see that their scores on Nintendo-made games generally fall with the consensus, including some of the less favorable scores.
Re:the good news: by zippthorne · 2012-12-02 01:20 · Score: 1

What are you talking about? Of course it was an infomercial for nintendo games.
It did that by containing interviews, previews, game-related comics, walk-throughs and strategy guides complete with screenshot maps.

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Re:the good news: by boygerms · 2012-12-02 02:50 · Score: 3, Interesting

I have a feeling you have never read Nintendo Power.
Re:the good news: by larry+bagina · 2012-12-02 05:35 · Score: 2

Don't be so sure.
Dear Penthouse, I was working in the data center one Sunday morning with my new coworker, Sally. This was her first day and she wore a revealing top, miniskirt, high heels, and, as I soon discovered, no panties or bra. ...

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Re:the good news: by ildon · 2012-12-02 07:58 · Score: 2

Because Nintendo Power was an integral part of a lot of people's childhoods. Before the internet became a thing, it was one of the few ways to get maps, guides, cheats, and codes for Nintendo games. It's not about the magazine being relevant, or even very good; it's about nostalgia.
Re:the good news: by eWarz · 2012-12-02 16:54 · Score: 1

They did say this though...maybe not as much as other mags, but they gave some games a bad review. For a Nintendo sponsored mag they did a damn good job. Nintendo Power was AMAZING for me as a kid. I'll never forget the ultimate free-bee...Dragon Warrior for the NES in exchange for a $15/year subscription...
Re:the good news: by darkain · 2012-12-02 21:06 · Score: 1

The internet sure was great for that 25 years ago!

Tell me about it by Rosco+P.+Coltrane · 2012-12-01 18:29 · Score: 1, Funny

the last-ever issue of Nintendo Power. It's bittersweet seeing a part of my childhood ending.

Yeah no kidding. I can't get over the demise of the Phonograph Monthly myself...

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Surprised it lasted... by blahplusplus · 2012-12-01 18:32 · Score: 1

... this long considering magazines really haven't been relevant since the late 90's early 2000's for gaming.

Re:Surprised it lasted... by Meshach · 2012-12-01 18:43 · Score: 3, Insightful

... this long considering magazines really haven't been relevant since the late 90's early 2000's for gaming.
Why does everyone assume that if they are not interested in something no one is interested in it?

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Re:Surprised it lasted... by blahplusplus · 2012-12-01 18:51 · Score: 3, Insightful

"Why does everyone assume that if they are not interested in something no one is interested in it?"
It's not about interest, it's about usefulness vs what you are paying. I read all sorts of gaming mags back in the pre-internet era. Nintendo power was one of my first magazines but they were supplanted quickly by better magazines even back then by EGM and gamepro. The primary purpose of gaming magazine is to get info on new games for different consoles. The net pretty much replaced mags in this capacity around that time for much cheaper. I don't see how anyone would continue to pay for what you can now get for free.
The end of Nintendo power is proof of this, it's just a little late (about a decade).
Re:Surprised it lasted... by jones_supa · 2012-12-01 20:59 · Score: 1

By the way, if you guys want to see what the Finland's largest magazine (Pelit) looks like, there's a torrent.
Re:Surprised it lasted... by SternisheFan · 2012-12-02 01:38 · Score: 1

I used to buy it on occasion, in those pre-internet days, because it was the only place then to learn about the game secrets and cheat codes. With those, I could really get my moneys worth and stretch those games out.

Oh how the mighty have fallen by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-01 18:39 · Score: 1

This story was on Hacker News two days ago.

There was a time when Slashdot used to be the site that every other news aggregator cited. Now Slashdot seems to be a site that just cites other aggregators...two days later.

Re:Oh how the mighty have fallen by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-01 18:54 · Score: 1

There was a time when Slashdot used to be the site that every other news aggregator cited.
Ars got it two days ago. And in the 10 years I've been on slashdot I can't remember it ever being the place you go for breaking news. When exactly was this era you speak of?

"In print"? by Beryllium+Sphere(tm) · 2012-12-01 19:13 · Score: 1

What is the "print" of which you speak?

Re:"In print"? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-01 20:38 · Score: 1

I think it means they used a sans-serif block-style font instead of a cursive or script-style.
Re:"In print"? by Psicopatico · 2012-12-02 05:10 · Score: 3, Funny

What is the "print" of which you speak?
It's pretty much like an SMS, but with all the vowels.

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Re:"In print"? by darkain · 2012-12-02 21:08 · Score: 1

"print" is another term for "echo", which is used to put characters on your screen.

Correction by michaelmalak · 2012-12-01 19:14 · Score: 3, Insightful

Being in print for 25 years means it's got most single-platform computer magazines beat.

I think you meant "single-manufacturer".

I Still Love My Power Glove by CodeBuster · 2012-12-01 19:18 · Score: 2

It's so bad!

Why kill it instead of move it online? by _xeno_ · 2012-12-01 19:19 · Score: 4, Interesting

I'm kind of surprised that Nintendo is flat-out killing the Nintendo Power brand instead of just moving it online. I mean, it's not like video game journalism is dead. It's just moved entirely online. (Are there any print video game magazines left? That are still printing physical copies, that is. I'm not aware of any.)

I would have thought there'd still be demand for a Nintendo Power, just not in print form. I guess not? Or was there a website, that's since been replaced with the current information about going out of print?

It's kind of sad to see it go, but I haven't subscribed since the mid 90s, I guess. Still, it's a nice cover and a nice tribute to their first issue.

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Re:Why kill it instead of move it online? by mysidia · 2012-12-01 19:23 · Score: 1

It's not obvious to me... it just looks like Nintendo decided to kill the licensing deal with the company that is actually handling the magazine. Possibly, they weren't able to pay Nintendo enough what Nintendo wants anymore, to be allowed to continue to use their trademarked name?
Re:Why kill it instead of move it online? by VanGarrett · 2012-12-01 20:10 · Score: 2

Are there any print video game magazines left? That are still printing physical copies, that is. I'm not aware of any.
Game Informer is still being pushed pretty heavily by GameStop.

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Re:Why kill it instead of move it online? by Yacoob+Al-Atawi · 2012-12-02 01:05 · Score: 1

Based on my last visit to the bookshop there are still a hell of a lot of them. I still read Edge myself.
Re:Why kill it instead of move it online? by ildon · 2012-12-02 08:07 · Score: 1

So they can get 0.1% of the share of Gamespot, IGN, GameTrailers, GameFAQs, etc.'s pie? What would be the point?
Re:Why kill it instead of move it online? by _xeno_ · 2012-12-02 10:34 · Score: 2

To advertise Nintendo products? Same as the original?
I dunno, it seems strange not to make any attempt at keeping it going online. I'm assuming it had some readers to keep it going as a pure-print magazine for the past decade, during which it would have made sense to bring it online.
After all, Sony has the PlayStation blog and Microsoft has... uh... whatever this is, I guess. (Does Major Nelson's blog count?)
Nintendo has, well, nothing. Sure, there's nintendo.com, but that compares more to us.playstation.com (playstation.com redirects me to jp.playstation.com for some reason) and xbox.com. They have no real "community" site, which something like Nintendo Power could fill. It seems strange to not even attempt an online version.

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Re:Why kill it instead of move it online? by Yeechang+Lee · 2012-12-03 00:27 · Score: 1

And very successfully so, too. With more than 8 million copies monthly, it is the third-largest magazine in the United States.

Magazines are helpful... by ScottCooperDotNet · 2012-12-01 19:57 · Score: 1

...when you're already looking at a screen to play the game.

Re:Magazines are helpful... by wbr1 · 2012-12-02 02:00 · Score: 1

Yep. when you have only one screen in your residence. Printers worked. Now you have a smartphone or tablet right there with you. Or just save your game and google your problem on the console.

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Re:Magazines are helpful... by CronoCloud · 2012-12-02 08:00 · Score: 1

Now you have a smartphone or tablet right there with you.
There are people still who don't have second screens with internet access. There are actually people who don't own smartphone's or tablets.

Or just save your game and google your problem on the console.
I've done that.., works better if your console has linux so you can print something if you need to rather than trying to memorize or write things down.
There is just "something" about a nice thick paper gaming magzing though. I'm talking classic "Shoe" EGM, "Johnny England" OPM or Next Generation.

Is it needed in today's world? by joeflies · 2012-12-01 20:28 · Score: 2

While I agree that Nintendo Power played a big part of my childhood, in retrospect, it seemed to be really a gigantic set of ads masked as articles. Every article made every game sound like it was good, with no mistaking the bias behind it. Maybe that was fine when Nintendo Power came first came out, both because the average quality was higher (and also perhaps when I was young and the parent were paying, I was less discriminating on quality). Today, we do have to sort through a boatload of bad games. What's needed is to call out the bad games if they're not pulling their weight. With the price of games today, it doesn't take long for bad purchases to add up quick. While I will miss Nintendo Power, I also miss Atari Age as well New Zork Times.

25 years = da best! by Thrymm · 2012-12-01 21:10 · Score: 1

Being in print for 25 years means it's got most single-platform computer magazines beat.
The Chicago Cubs have been around since circa 1876, and last won a world series in 1908.... guess that makes them the single best baseball team ever.

PC World started in 83, Byte in the mid 70s, CGW in 81, and countless others on this list, let alone those local published underground ones for BBS's

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_magazine

You cynical bastards can say what you want... by Drakonblayde · 2012-12-01 21:36 · Score: 5, Insightful

... but I choose to remember the mag through the innocent eyes of the kids I was. I don't care that the entire mag was a marketing stump for Nintendo. I enjoyed the mag when I was a kid, and I haunted the mailbox whenever an issue was due. Early on, when they were publishing strategy guides, I got all kinds of use out of them (Particularly Super Mario 3 and Final Fantasy).

I grew up poor, getting a new game was a once, maybe twice if we were lucky, a year thing. Every month or two mom could afford to let us rent something for a few days, and Nintendo Power gave me a way to look at what was coming out and judge if it was something I wanted to spend those precious rental or acquisition opportunities on.

The adult in me agrees with all the scorn and criticism heaped on the mag, especially as it grew longer in the tooth.

But the wide eyed child in me remembers those first few years of Nintendo Power with great fondness.

Re:You cynical bastards can say what you want... by codepigeon · 2012-12-02 04:20 · Score: 1

Well said. I was in the same boat. My friends and I would go over every page, digesting and absorbing every photo and every screen shot. The world seems so much cooler when you are a kid.

I think that is part of why we 30-somethings feel a small bit of sadness to see Nintendo Power go. It's not because we loved the magazine (who still has a subscription, really). We feel a tinge of sadness because it is a cold reminder that our childhood is forever gone.

my .02
Re:You cynical bastards can say what you want... by guises · 2012-12-02 04:28 · Score: 1

I used to love Nintendo Power too. It wasn't so much that I cared about reviews, I just wanted to read about video games. Like some people read about cars - I was fantasizing.

That was up until I got Battle Toads and Double Dragon, based on their enthusiastic endorsement. That was when I learned that not only should I not love Nintendo Power, I should never have loved them. Was a hard lesson for me.
Re:You cynical bastards can say what you want... by codepigeon · 2012-12-02 04:32 · Score: 1

Byte your tongue. Double Dragon is one of the greatest games of all time. (Extremely hard, but what game up to then allowed you to level up your fighting moves....and pick up weapons the enemy dropped!)
Re:You cynical bastards can say what you want... by guises · 2012-12-02 06:26 · Score: 1

Maybe I should have put it in quotes or something to be more clear: "Battle Toads and Double Dragon." It's a single game, a crossover between Battle Toads and another franchise:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battletoads_&_Double_Dragon

Bizarrely, the Wikipedia entry says that the game was good. That's odd. One of the worst video game purchases I've ever made.

Readers (or lack of) to blame by second_coming · 2012-12-01 21:42 · Score: 1

You can't complain that something is disappearing if you don't buy it anymore. That's the problem nobody else is either.

Re:Nintendo doesnt make computers by SternisheFan · 2012-12-02 01:43 · Score: 1

Okay. Please explain, in detail, why a console game system is not a computer.

Any device that 'computes' numbers is a computer. Your brain is a computer, as is the ancient wooden bead abacus.

True Final Cover by Anonymous Coward · 2012-12-02 03:00 · Score: 1

Nintendo Power's true final cover was in November 2007. When Future US took over publishing the magazine from Nintendo, it ceased to be Nintendo Power.

Not the only magazine to die recently by Spacelem · 2012-12-02 09:46 · Score: 1

Meanwhile, Nintendo-Gamer (previously N-Gamer, NGC Magazine, N64 Magazine, Super Play), which I've been subscribed too since 1994 has also died.

I used to read that magazine over and over, copying the artwork, trying the cheats, spending hours which two games I was going to ask for for Christmas/my birthday (right next to each other).

Sad times.

I disagree by taucross · 2012-12-02 11:07 · Score: 1

NINTENDO POWER SUCKS, SEGA POWER FOREVER! (but seriously, it's sad to see it go. also i need this to get past cap filter)

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