Thursday, July 6, 2023

Nintendo Power (January 1991)

While perhaps not exactly impartial, Nintendo Power was the go-to magazine for all things Nintendo. Early 1991 was really peak NES. The Super Famicom had already been released in Japan but it would be August before the Super NES would arrive in the U.S. Coverage was all NES and Game Boy except for a few previews. The January 1991 issue includes:

Features

Mega Man III - A strategy guide for the latest Mega Man game.

The Immortal - A strategy guide for this isometric action/adventure game from Electronic Arts. I really wanted this game but when I got it, it did not work correctly with my TV for some reason (wavy picture) so it ended up being returned. I don't think later reviews were very good so maybe I dodged a bullet.

Deja Vu - Strategy guide for this point and click murder mystery. You shouldn't really use these guides unless you are completely stuck because they basically ruin the game. Especially this kind of game.

Video Updates

Now Playing - A brief look at recent releases including Conquest of the Crystal Palace, Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu, Silver Surfer, The Adventure or Rad Gravity, Werewolf and Arch Rivals.

Pak Watch - Previews of soon to be released games, including G.I. Joe, Metal Storm, Base Wars, Monopoly, Zombie Nation, Uninvited, Galaxy 5000, and Mini-Putt. Plus a look at the first Super Famicom games, Super Mario World, F-Zero, and Pilotwings.

Game Boy

Dragon's Lair - Dragon's Lair turned into a platform game.

Mercenary Force - Medieval Japanese squad based combat on the Game Boy.

Burai Fighter Deluxe - A sci-fi shoot-em-up.

_{Table of Contents from the January 1991 issue of Nintendo Power}

Player's Forum

Player's Pulse - Readers write in about Tetris and playing the Game Boy around the world.

NES Achievers - High scores and achievements in Adventures in the Magic Kingdom, Captain Skyhawk, Crystalis, Final Fantasy, The Mafat Conspiracy, Ninja Gaiden II, Pinbot, Rescue Rangers, Revenge of the Gator, Rock 'N Ball, Rollerball, Snake's Revenge, Solstice, Stealth ATF, Tetris, Tombs & Treasure, and Wall Street Kid.

Tips from the Pros

Classified Information - Tips, tricks and cheats for Castlevania II, Heavy Shreddin', Final Fantasy, Dungeon Magic, Dragon Spirit, Alien Asylum, Image Fight, Skate or Die 2, Swords and Serpents, and Thunderbirds.

Howard & Nester - A monthly comic from Nintendo Power. Not sure why this is in the 'Tips From the Pros' section but that's where they have it.

Special Reports

Today's Technology - A look at some of the upgrade hardware for the NES that was included in game paks (cartridges). These include extra RAM, MMCs (Memory Management Controllers) that added various capabilities. MMC1 = used in many games, allowed scrolling. MMC2 = used in Punch-Out!!. MMC3 = added the ability for split screen scrolling and scrolling at an ange and is used in Super Mario Bros. 3 and Play Action Football. MMC5 = improved battery backup, better color definition, partial screen scrolling, increased max cart size; used in Castlevania III among others.

The Miracle Piano Teaching System - A look at a keyboard and cartridge combo for the NES that teaches you how to play the piano.

The Info Zone

Player's Poll - Answer a few questions for a chance to win various prizes.
Celebrity Profile - A feature on New Kids on the Block and their gaming habits.

_{Back cover of the January 1991 issue of Nintendo Power}

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