Friday, October 27, 2023

Nintendo Power (December 1995)

At the end of 1995 the Super Nintendo was at its peak. Though it would have a few more good years, it would be mostly downhill from here as the Nintendo 64 would be released the following year. This was the holiday season that the Virtual Boy was around also. It lasted all of about five minutes on the shelves. This was probably Nintendo's biggest flop...by far. Though I wish I would have bought about a 100 of them when they were put on clearance. Could probably make a fortune today. The December 1995 issue of Nintendo Power includes:

Full Coverage

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest - A full guide to this blockbuster game. One of the more technically impressive games for the SNES and a very good side-scrolling platform game.

Wario Land - While the 3-D graphics were certainly unique on the Virtual Boy, the novelty of the all red display wears thin pretty soon. Also, I don't think any of the games were really THAT good, including this one.

Waterworld - As I recall, this movie was a pretty big flop in that it cost a lot more to produce than it made. This version of the game for the Super NES is a combination of side-scrolling and isometric view adventure/puzzle game. This game ended up being only released in PAL territories. That must have been a late decision given this lengthy look at the game in Nintendo Power. Maybe the movie did better in Europe.

Sports Scene - A look at three new sports games for the Super NES, including NBA Give 'N Go, Frank Thomas Big Hurt Baseball, and NFL Quarterback Club '96.

_{Table of Contents from the December 1995 issue of Nintendo Power}

Take 2 Reviews

Mechwarrior 3050 - Not to be confused with the first person Mechwarrior games, this is a continuation of the isometric action series though this one has less plot than the original.

Urban Strike - The sequel to Jungle Strike and part of one of the better shooter series for the Super NES (and Genesis for that matter).

Special Features

Shoshinkai Preview - The place where the Nintendo 64 will be officially unveiled (in Japan at least).

Earthworm Jim 2 Preview - A look ahead what was to be one of the better platform games for the Super NES.

Epic Center

Epic News - An update on the upcoming Super Mario RPG, screen shot of Tactics Ogre, Square Soft and Enix soon to release Romancing Saga 3 and Dragon Quest VI respectively, and more.

Secret of Evermore - The second part of a guide for this RPG, though Nintendo Power insists this is a review.

P.T.O. II - Review/guide to this World War II action/strategy game in which you take command of either the U.S. Navy or the Japanese Navy.

Every Issue

Player's Pulse - Readers write in with their ideas for dream games. Some would eventually happen (like a Mario Kart sequel).

Power Charts - The Top twenty games for the Super NES this month include Killer Instinct, Chrono Trigger and Donkey Kong Country at the top of the list. The top Game Boy games include The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, Donkey Kong Land and Tetris, then there is also a top 10 sports games list and top 5 Virtual Boy games list (probably close to the total catalog).

Classified Information - Codes and other tricks for Killer Instinct, Bubsy II, Syndicate, Chrono Trigger, Judge Dredd, Batman Forever, Mega Man VII and more.

Counselors' Corner - Questions answered and problems solved for Doom (Super NES), Yoshi's Island (Super NES), Mortal Kombat II (SNES), Mortal Kombat II (Game Boy), and more.

Arena - Challenges for Yoshi's Island, Killer Instinct and Doom.

_{Back cover of the December 1995 issue of Nintendo Power}

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