List of video game magazines

This is a list of video game magazines. The primary focus of the magazines in this list is or was video game journalism for at least part of their run. For general computing magazines that may also cover games, consult the list of computer magazines.

Overview

Journalist reporting and evaluation of video games in periodicals began from the late 1970s to 1980 in general coin-operated industry magazines like Play Meter^[1] and RePlay,^[2] home entertainment magazines like Video,^[3] as well as magazines focused on computing and new information technologies like InfoWorld or Popular Electronics.^[4]

However, dedicated magazines focusing primarily on video game journalism wouldn't appear until late in 1981, when several magazines were launched independently of each other at about the same time. Computer and Video Games premiered in the U.K. in November 1981.^[5] It was soon followed by Electronic Games in the US, founded by Bill Kunkel, Arnie Katz and Joyce Worley, who had previously written the "Arcade Alley" column in Video.^[6] While Electronic Games covered arcade and console games as well as computer software, Computer Gaming World was focused entirely on the latter.^[7] The video game crash of 1983 badly hurt the market for North American video game magazines. Computer Gaming World, founded in 1981, stated in 1987 that it was the only survivor of 18 color magazines for computer games in 1984.^[8]

Meanwhile, in Japan, the first magazines entirely dedicated to video games began appearing from 1982, beginning with ASCII's LOGiN, followed by several SoftBank publications and Kadokawa Shoten's Comptiq. The first magazine dedicated to console games, or a specific video game console, was Tokuma Shoten's Family Computer Magazine, which began in 1985 and was focused on Nintendo's Family Computer (Nintendo Entertainment System in the West). This magazine later spawned famous imitators such as Famicom Tsuushin (loosely, "Famicom Journal") in 1986 (now known today as Famitsu) and Nintendo Power in 1988.^[9]

In the mid-2000s, the popularity of print-based magazines started to wane in favor of web-based magazines.^[10] In 2006, Eurogamer's business development manager Pat Garratt wrote a criticism of those in print games journalism who had not adapted to the web, drawing on his own prior experience in print to offer an explanation of both the challenges facing companies like Future Publishing and why he believed they had not overcome them.^[11]

List

See also

• Category:Game magazines
• Category:Video game magazines
• List of video game websites
• Video game journalism

Notes

1. ^ Title of the publication; in case the title was changed during a magazine's run, older titles are attached in brackets.
2. ^ The year of first publication
3. ^ The last year of publication, if the magazine is defunct; if the print edition of a magazine brand is discontinued, the magazine is listed as defunct.
4. ^ Country of publication; if a magazine was circulated in multiple countries, only the country of origin is given.
5. ^ The name of the publisher; if the publisher changed during a publication's run, all publishers are given with their respective publication years in brackets.
6. ^ Brief summary of the general range of topics, platforms and genres covered.
7. ^ References for all used information
8. ^ Game Players was renamed to Ultra Game Players in 1996, and then to Game Buyer in 1998.^[69]

References

1. ^ "Play Meter". Play Meter. Archived February 7, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
2. ^ "About RePlay". Archived from the original on May 2, 2014. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
3. ^ Kunkel, Bill (2005). Confessions of the Game Doctor. Rolenta Press. p. 171. ISBN 0964384892.
4. ^ Wolf, Mark J.P. (ed.) (2012). Encyclopedia of Video Games: The Culture, Technology, and Art of Gaming. ABC-CLIO. p. 131. ISBN 978-0-313-37936-9.
5. ^ "Computer & Video Games Magazine". April 25, 2014. Archived August 2, 2014 at the Wayback Machine.
6. ^ Kohler, Chris (April 25, 2014). "Bill Kunkel, Original Gaming Journalist, Dies at 61". Wired. Archived 19 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
7. ^ Sipe, Russell (August 1988). "The Greatest Story Ever Told". Computer Gaming World. p. 6.
8. ^ Sipe, Russell (December 1987). "Editorial". Computer Gaming World. p. 4.
9. ^ Gifford, Kevin (April 27, 2008). "'Game Mag Weaseling': Japan Mag Roundup 2008". GameSetWatch. Archived 11 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
10. ^ "Further decline for print mags". gamesindustry.biz. 15 February 2007. Archived 5 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 15 February 2007.
11. ^ "Paper Trails". GamesIndustry.biz. 18 August 2006. Archived 2007-03-27 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2006-10-03.
12. ^ Datassette - Ação Games
13. ^ Cox, Howard & Mowatt, Simon (2014). Revolutions from Grub Street: A History of Magazine Publishing in Britain. Oxford University Press. pp. 134–135. ISBN 978-0-1996-0163-9.
14. ^ "Amiga Action". Amiga History guide. Archived 2014-02-08 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2014-04-23.
15. ^ "Amiga Action". Amiga History guide. Archived from the original on 2013-06-11. Retrieved 2014-05-02.
16. ^ "Amiga Joker". Amiga Joker Issue Archive.
17. ^ "Amiga Joker February 1992". Amiga Joker subscription advertisement. February 1992.
18. ^ "Amiga Power". Amiga History guide. Archived 2014-06-28 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2014-05-02.
19. ^ Gillen, Kieron (April 24, 2008). "Amiga Power To The People". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
20. ^ "Amtix! Reviews List". CPC Game Reviews. Archived 2013-02-27 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2014-05-02.
21. ^ 日本初、ソーシャルゲーム専門誌『アプリSTYLE』創刊 . J-CAST. December 2, 2010.
22. ^ Arsenault, Dominic (2017). Super Power, Spoony Bards, and Silverware: The Super Nintendo Entertainment System. MIT Press. pp. 65–66. ISBN 978-0-2623-4150-9.
23. ^ "メディア"
24. ^ "ja:辰巳出版が雑誌・書籍の出版やスマートフォンアプリの配信などを行なうスコラマガジンと合併。" (in Japanese). オタク産業通信. 2021-06-17. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
25. ^ ja:Bugbug = バグバグ : 最新PCゲーム情報誌 (in Japanese). 1992. Retrieved 2022-02-24. – via National Diet Library.
26. ^ "ja:美少女ゲーム誌「BugBug」の表紙を飾ったセクシー新体操娘がリペイント版となって再びフィギュア化！Amazonで予約受付中！" (in Japanese). 電撃ホビー. 2018-07-27. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
27. ^ "ja:【BugBug】ＳＦ四季シリーズ最終作『ふゆから、くるる。』巻頭大特集!! 噂の新ブランドAino+Linksインタビューも!! BugBug９月号は本日発売!!" (in Japanese). bugbug.news. 2021-08-03. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
28. ^ 昼間たかし (2014-07-28). "ja:ホワイト企業過ぎて痺れた!? 老舗エロゲー雑誌「BugBug」が編集部も一緒に富士美出版に移籍" (in Japanese). Otapol. Archived from the original on 2014-08-26. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
29. ^ "CD-Action – latest issue". CDAction.pl
30. ^ "About – CGMagazine Publishing Group". 25 March 2020. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
31. ^ "WP Gry - Wiadomości ze świata eSportu, recenzje gier i sprzętu - WP.PL"
32. ^ Dillon, Roberto (2014). Ready: A Commodore 64 Retrospective. SpringerLink. p. 118. ISBN 978-9-8128-7341-5.
33. ^ Hutchinson, Rachael (2016). Routledge Handbook of Modern Japanese Literature. Routledge. p. 318. ISBN 978-1138792296.
34. ^ "World's first gaming mag revived". Guardian. 2008-04-04. Archived 2013-11-04 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2014-05-02.
35. ^ "Commodore User". Zzap64.co.uk. Archived 2014-05-02 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2014-05-02.
36. ^ "Retromaniak #37 - Magazyn Cybermycha". 20 February 2018.
37. ^ "Debug Magazine celebrates all things indie gaming". 2023-04-07.
38. ^ Shoemaker, Richie (2023-05-03). "The Next Debug Thing: Dean Mortlock on his new print magazine that celebrates video games". MCV
39. ^ 宮本直毅 (2013-01-26). "アダルトゲーム専門誌の創刊ラッシュ". ja:エロゲー文化研究概論 (in Japanese). 総合科学出版. ISBN 978-4881818299.
40. ^ "ja:「歴史的な使命を終えた」――『電撃HIME』2月号で休刊、12月27日にはイベント出展も" (in Japanese). IT Media. 2014-12-01.
41. ^ ja:電撃姫. 1997. Retrieved 2022-04-07. – via National Diet Library.
42. ^ http://iss.ndl.go.jp/books/R100000002-I000000086058-00　電撃スーパーファミコン (in Japanese), National Diet Library
43. ^ 電撃Nintendo64 (in Japanese), National Diet Library
44. ^ 電撃GBアドバンス (in Japanese), National Diet Library
45. ^ 電撃ゲームキューブ (in Japanese), National Diet Library
46. ^ デンゲキニンテンドーDS (in Japanese), National Diet Library
47. ^ デンゲキニンテンドーfor kids, National Diet Library
48. ^ 電撃playstation (in Japanese), National Diet Library
49. ^ ゲーム雑誌「電撃PlayStation」、25年の歴史に幕　Webメディアは継続 (in Japanese). ITmedia. February 26, 2020.
50. ^ Ayame, Joe and Ge Zhang, Dino. "Brief History of Early Chinese Game Magazines". Indie Nova.
51. ^ "About Us". Donyaye Bazi Organization. Archived 2016-02-22 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2014-05-02.
52. ^ Newman, James (2008). Playing with Videogames. Routledge. pp. 29–31. ISBN 978-1-1341-7301-3.
53. ^ "Electric Brain Magazine". Archive.org. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
54. ^ Kohler, Chris (September 6, 2011). "Bill Kunkel, Original Gaming Journalist, Dies at 61". Wired. Archived 19 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
55. ^ "ZIFF-DAVIS ACQUIRES SENDAI AND DECKER". PR Newswire. 1996-05-09. Retrieved 2014-05-02.
56. ^ Edge Staff (2009-01-07). "EGM Closed; 1Up Sold". Future Publishing. Archived 2014-05-02 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2014-05-02.
57. ^ Brice, Kath (2009-12-22). "Electronic Gaming Monthly to relaunch in March". gamesindustry.biz. Archived 2013-12-13 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2014-05-02.
58. ^ Koyama, Yuhsuke (2023). History of the Japanese Video Game Industry. Springer Nature. p. 89. ISBN 978-981-99-1341-1. JICC Publishing Bureau launched Famicom Hisshou Hon in 1986, establishing Famicom magazines as a standard genre.
59. ^ 懐かしファミコン パーフェクトガイド [Nostalgic Famicom Perfect Guide] (in Japanese). Magazine Box Co. 2016. p. 106. ISBN 9784906735891.
60. ^ "Overseas Readers Column: "Super Mario Bros." Boom Bringing Best Selling Book". Game Machine. No. 275. Amusement Press, Inc.. 15 January 1986. p. 24.
61. ^ "The Video Game With Media Potential". Japan Quarterly. The Asahi Shimbun. 1986. A magazine introducing game software for the Famikon, called Family Computer Magazine, has also appeared, selling over 1 million copies of each semimonthly issue.
62. ^ "From Gamers Review: A New Video Game Print Magazine You Should Absolutely Read". Forbes. August 3, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
63. ^ "Beckett's FUN! Online Games Magazine Features KingsIsle Entertainment's Wizard101". Gamasutra. November 19, 2009. Archived from the original on October 27, 2017. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
64. ^ Farokhmanesh, Megan (April 9, 2013). "Game Developer magazine shuttering, Gamasutra evolving". Polygon. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
65. ^ "10 Years of Game Informer". Game Informer. GameStop. August 2001. p. 42. In August 1991, Funcoland began publishing a six-page circular to be handed out free in all of its retail locations.
66. ^ "Game Informer". GamingMagz. Archived 2014-07-15 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
67. ^ Roth, Emma (March 25, 2025). "Game Informer has officially returned". The Verge. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
68. ^ Szczepaniak, John (July 25, 2012). "History of Diehard GameFAN Magazine". Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
69. ^ Gifford, Kevin (July 22, 2006). "'Game Mag Weaseling': Unraveling Game Players". GameSetWatch. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
70. ^ Reilly, Jim (2011-11-30). "GamePro Magazine Closes". GameInformer. Archived 2014-06-07 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
71. ^ Techradarto
72. ^ Datassette - Gamers
73. ^ "Ziff Davis Media's Official "Games for Windows" Press Release". Ziff Davis. 2006-08-02. Archived 2006-08-22 at the Wayback Machine.
74. ^ Orland, Kyle (April 8, 2008). "Games for Windows Magazine goes online-only". Joystiq. Archived February 10, 2014 at the Wayback Machine.
75. ^ Two More Gaming Magazines Are Ending, Kotaku, October 19, 2018
76. ^ "We Are Going Live!". GamesReviews. January 1, 2013. We are starting GamesReviews.com from the 1st of January 2013. We aim to deliver best quality game reviews for all Gamers in the World. Our Reviews are written by real players that's why we can ensure accurate game ratings and best quality content.
77. ^ "Die Geschichte der Legendären Zeitschrift". Gamestarfan. Archived 2014-07-14 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
78. ^ Natalie Clayton (April 16, 2019). "Gayming Magazine is bringing queer perspectives to UK newsstands this June". PC Games Insider. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
79. ^ Rivera, Abraham (Dec 2, 2016). "'Hobby Consolas': cuando Sonic vendía más que Julio Iglesias - Imposible imaginarse los noventa sin esta cabecera mítica para jugadores de Sega, Nintendo o hasta Neo Geo. Entrevistamos a sus creadores y nos recuerdan anécdotas curiosas como el suceso de la katana". El País. Archived May 2, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
80. ^ "Hoog Spel 1990–2000" (in Dutch). Rangeela B.V. Archived 2011-09-08 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2014-06-13.
81. ^ "HyperPlay RPG Is A Glorious Throwback To The Pre-Internet Days Of Homemade Fanzines". Nintendolife. September 27, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
82. ^ "Interaction magazine archive"
83. ^ "Czasopismo Komputer Świat GRY znika z rynku | GRYOnline.pl"
84. ^ ja:メガストア = Megastore (in Japanese). National Diet Library. 1993. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
85. ^ "ja:東京レトロゲームショウ2015：第5回「ロボクラッシュ2」で太陽系外惑星を舞台にロボットを作ったり壊したり" (in Japanese). 4Gamer.net. 2015-06-11. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
86. ^ "Mega Visions Magazine with Graham". The SEGA Lounge. September 24, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
87. ^ Marcos Sagrado (27 May 2014). "RetroMadrid 2014: Lo antiguo vuelve con fuerza - 30 Años de Micromanía" [RetroMadrid 2014: The old comes back strong - 30 years of Micromanía] (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain: Tek’n’Life - The Unnamed Project S.L.L. Archived 27 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
88. ^ "Editorial de presentación en el que no decimos a nadie el hueco que venimos a llenar" [Introduction editorial in which we tell no one the niche that we come to fill] (in Spanish). Micromania. 1: 5. 1985.
89. ^ "Axel Springer anuncia a su plantilla el cierre de cinco revistas" [Axel Springer announces to its employees the closing of five magazines] (in Spanish). El Mundo. 14 June 2012. Archived 13 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
90. ^ V. Navarro / B. Louviers (1 August 2011). "Las 10 cosas que nunca olvidarás de los videojuegos de los 80" [The 10 things you will never forget from the videogames of the 80s] (in Spanish). La Informacion. Archived 13 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
91. ^ "MyM magazine Issue 43 featuring Dragon Quest Heroes is out now!". MCMBuzz.com. 2015-10-16. Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2016-02-23.
92. ^ MyM Magazine publishes its last print edition, Anime UK News, February 16, 2018
93. ^ "Nintendo Dream Web". Retrieved February 7, 2024.
94. ^ McClain, K.J. (January 5, 2018). "Japanese Publication Nintendo Dream Surpasses Nintendo Power In Issue Count". Nintendo Life. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
95. ^ Rougeau, Michael (2012-12-21). "New Magazine 'Nintendo Force' Aims to Continue the 'Nintendo Power' Legacy". Complex Gaming. Archived 2012-12-26 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2014-06-13.
96. ^ Crossley, Rob (2012-08-30). "Future Publishing closes Nintendo Gamer magazine". CVG. Archived 2014-12-28 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2014-06-13.
97. ^ "Revista brasileira Nintendo World comemora 10 anos!". Nintendo Blast!. Archived 2011-01-01 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-10-20.
98. ^ Nintendo World - Back Issues, Magzter
99. ^ "Every English-Language Video Game Magazine Still In Print". Video Game History Foundation. October 3, 2019. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
100. ^ Long-running Official Xbox Magazine shuts down. Eurogamer. March 30, 2020.
101. ^ ja:Pasocom paradise (in Japanese). 1991. Retrieved 2022-02-25. – via National Diet Library.
102. ^ "ja:『電撃姫.com』が、突然の閉鎖──“美少女ゲーム市場の冬”を象徴しているのか". 日刊サイゾー. 2018-04-18. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
103. ^ "ja:PC angel neo = ピーシーエンジェルネオ" (in Japanese). National Diet Library. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
104. ^ ja:PC angel = PCエンジェル (in Japanese). 1992. Retrieved 2022-02-24. – via National Diet Library.
105. ^ "ja:エロゲー『りとるらびっつ』の原画家である七海綾音さんが超美人と話題！" (in Japanese). ガジェット通信. 2010-05-17. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
106. ^ Pixel Shop, July 13, 2022
107. ^ "Gamezilla - serwis o grach, nowościach, esporcie"
108. ^ Squires, Jim. This Week in China: Print is Dead. Gamezebo. 15 November 2013.
109. ^ Play Meter Shuts Down, RePlay Magazine, August 8, 2018
110. ^ "Player One". Abandonware Magazines. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
111. ^ Future shutters PlayStation-focused Play magazine. GamesIndustry.biz. October 2, 2024.
112. ^ "Power Play Issue Archive"
113. ^ Robinson, Andy (November 13, 2012). "Xbox World and PSM3 magazines to close". Computer and Video Games. Archived from the original on February 9, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
114. ^ ja:Push = プッシュ!! (in Japanese). 1994. Retrieved 2022-02-24. – via National Diet Library.
115. ^ "Sega Vision". Retromags
116. ^ SKOAR! - Back Issues, Magzter
117. ^ Datassette - Super GamePower
118. ^ "ja:TECH GIAN（テックジャイアン）" (in Japanese). KADOKAWA. Archived 2021-01-25 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
119. ^ "ja:「アリスソフト」退職報告続出にネットざわつく…ゲームソフト業界で進行する大変化" (in Japanese). Business Journal. 2021-06-16. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
120. ^ ja:Tech gian = テックジャイアン (in Japanese). 1996. Retrieved 2022-02-24. – via National Diet Library.
121. ^ Blanchet, Alexis (2015). "France". Video Games Around the World. Wolf, Mark J.P. (ed.). MIT Press. pp. 188–189. ISBN 978-0-2625-2716-3.
122. ^ Frederick, Logan (June 27, 2007). "Tips & Tricks Magazine Trimmed". The Escapist. Archived from the original on June 10, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
123. ^ "TOP SECRET - historia kultowego pisma w 9 okładkach". 20 June 2011.
124. ^ McFerran, Damien (August 5, 2011). "Feature: The Making of TOTAL! Magazine". Nintendo Life. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
125. ^ "Total Control (Magazine)". Sega Retro. 22 March 2024.
126. ^ Gifford, Kevin. COLUMN: 'Game Mag Weaseling': Where The Magazines Read You . GameSetWatch. 29 June 2010.
127. ^ Harmetz, Aljean (1984-01-10), "Sigh of Relief on Video Games", New York Times The phenomenon is over, said Roger Sharpe, the editor of Video Games magazine.
128. ^ The Pitfalls of Publishing a Video Game Magazine in 1982, Atlas Obscura, July 29, 2016
129. ^ Hopkins, Ben (July 8, 2015). "How 'Your Sinclair' Magazine Changed Gaming Journalism Forever". Vice. Retrieved October 26, 2017.

External links

• Collection of archived video game magazines on the Internet Archive