Showing posts with label Computer Gaming World. Show all posts

Saturday, April 11, 2026

Computer Gaming World (March 1991)

Computer Gaming World was the best computer gaming magazine for the years it was around (which was quite a few). It covered games on a variety of computers over the years, not just IBM PC Compatibles. It eventually became Games for Windows and though the content was much the same, it didn't survive for long in that form. The March 1991 issue of Computer Gaming World includes:

Source: Computer Gaming World (March 1991)

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Computer Gaming World (January 1990)

Computer Gaming World (January 1990) | PeakD: Computer Gaming World was, overall, the best computer gaming magazine out there. In it's later days it became Games For Windows. Though it still maintained its quality for the most part, it didn't last very long after that. The January 1990 issue of Computer Gaming World includes:

Monday, February 17, 2025

Computer Gaming World (June 1992)

Computer Gaming World was my favorite computer gaming magazine and a very long running one. The first issue was published in 1981 and in 2006 it was bought by Microsoft and turned into Games for Windows. Despite this, it kept much of the same format and staff as before so it continued to be a good magazine it just didn't survive much longer. The June 1992 issue includes:

Computer Gaming World (June 1992) | PeakD

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Computer Gaming World (December 1987)

Computer Gaming World was really the best computer gaming magazine available for most of its life. In its earlier days it covered multiple platforms but eventually became a PC only magazine. The December 1987 issue includes:

Features

Plundered Hearts - A run-through of Plundered Hearts, an adventure game from Infocom which is sort of a spoof on pirate romance.

The Electronic Gridiron - A survey of the various computerized football games available at the time. Games covered here include 4th & Inches, GFL Championship Football, Gridiron, Football, Head Coach, Mac Pro Football, Super Bowl Sunday, 3-in-1 Football, Instant Replay, Computer Quarterback, and NFL Challenge.

1987 CGW Game of the Year Awards - The 1987 Computer Gaming World Game of the Year awards were presented at DragonCon where there was also discussion of the future of computer gaming and a gaming tournament. Award winners include The Bard's Tale II (Electronic Arts), Starflight (Electronic Arts), Leather Goddesses of Phobos (Infocom), Trinity (Infocom), Might and Magic (New World Computing), Hardball (Accolade), Marble Madness (Electronic Arts), Earl Weaver Baseball (Electronic Arts), Sinbad and the Throne of the Falcon (Cinemaware), Gunship (Microprose), Defender of the Crown (Cinemaware), Under Fire! (Avalon Hill), Balance of Power (Mindscape), BattleCruiser (SSI), Gettysburg (SSI), Battlefront (SSG), and the overall winner, Ultima IV (Origin).

Project: Stealth Fighter - A review of this combat flight simulator for the Commodore 64/128.

Beyond Zork - Review of this classic adventure game from Infocom for a variety of systems. This was one of the last games in the long running Zork series of interactive fiction games.

_{Table of Contents from the December 1987 issue of Computer Gaming World}

Departments

Editorial - An overview of recent changes to the magazine including both content and layout changes as CGW moved to an IBM AT and desktop publishing.

Taking A Peek - Previews of new and upcoming games including Thunderchopper (Apple II, Commodore 64), Wings of Fury (Apple II), California Dreams (Apple II, Commodore 64, Atari ST, Amiga), Vegas Gambler (Apple II, Commodore 64, Atari ST, Amiga, Apple IIgs, DOS), Shirley Muldowney's Top Fuel Challenge (Commodore 64), Dark Lord (Apple II, Commodore 64), Force 7 (Commodore 64), Tomahawk (Atari, Commodore 64), Street Sports Basketball (Apple II, Commodore 64, DOS), Heartland (Commodore 64), Silicon Dreams (Apple II, Atari, Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, DOS), Solar Star (Atari), Plutos (Amiga), Terrorpods (Amiga, Atari ST), 3D Helicopter Simulator (Dos), Thexder (DOS), Connect (DOS), and Halls of Montezuma (Apple II, Commodore 64).

_{Back cover of the December 1987 issue of Computer Gaming World}

Monday, January 22, 2024

Computer Gaming World (August 1986)

Computer Gaming World was the first major computer games magazine in the U.S. It was published for many years, eventually morphing into Games for Windows and dying not long after that. In its early days, it covered computers of all types. The August 1986 issue includes:

Features

American Dream - Review of a management simulation in which you are the CEO of a robot manufacturing company.
Phantasie II - Review of this RPG from SSI for the Apple II and Commodore 64. The mechanics of the Phantasie games are a sort of rudimentary predecessor to the AD&D Gold Box games that would come later.
Industry Update - An overview of the June Consumer Electronics Show. Some new products shown and/or announced include Accolade's Ace of Aces, Electronic Art's multiple new titles including Thomas M. Disch's Amnesia, Battlefront, Chessmaster 2000, Murder Party, Ogre, Mind Mirror, Scavenger Hunt, Bard's Tale II, Autoduel, Ultimate Wizard, Business Simulator, Ultima III and others. Plus releases from a new company called Cinemaware and more.

_{Table of Contents from the August 1986 issue of Computer Gaming World}

Departments

Sports Scoreboard - A look at some of the latest sports games including GBA Championship Basketball, Bop 'N Wrestle, an add-on disk for Leader Board as well as Avalon Hill's Tournament Golf and Micro League Baseball.

Amiga Preferences - A brief look at new games for the Amiga including Mynd Walker, Mastertype, Rogue, and The Temple of Apshai Trilogy.

Commodore Key - A brief look at the latest Commodore 64 game related releases including Garry Kitchen's Game Maker, Elite, Colossus, Booty & Cylu, Willow Pattern & Chimera, Gerry the Germ & Microcosm, Runestone & The Helm, Sabre Wulf & Underwurlde, Rasputin & Chicken Chase, Battle of Britain & Battle for Midway, Brian Bloodaxe, Revelation, Quovadis, Spell of Destruction, and lots more. Also noted is the fact that the Commodore 64 has sold more than any other home computer at this point at 3.5 million units.

Macintosh Window - A look at the latest entertainment releases for the Macintosh including Orbiter from Spectrum Holobyte and Flight Simulator.

_{Back cover of the August 1986 issue of Computer Gaming World}

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Computer Gaming World (October 1990)

Here's another issue of my favorite computer gaming magazine. While it covered multiple computer systems in its earlier days, as the world became more PC/DOS/Windows centric, so did the magazine. This magazine probably reached its peak in the mid 1990s. The October 1990 issue includes:

Features

Dynamix and the Red Baron - A preview of Red Baron, a World War I combat flight sim from Dynamix.

Storm Across Europe - Review of this World War II strategy game from SSI that offers scenarios in Africa, Europe and Russia. It's available for DOS, Amiga and the Commodore 64.

Hits and Misses for Strategy Gamers - Brief reviews for pre-20th century war games including Ancient Art of War, Ancient Battles, Annals of Rome, Antietam, Armada, Austerlitz, Bandit Kings of Ancient China, Battle Cry of Freedom, Battles of Napoleon, Blue Powder/Grey Smoke, Borodino: 1812, Borodino, Broadsides, By Fire & Sword, Centurion: Defender of Rome, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Chickamuga, Civil War, Clear for Action, Clipper, Colonial Conquest, Decision at Gettysburg, Defender of the Crown, Diplomacy, Excalibur, Genghis Khan, Gold of the Americas, Heart of Africa, Joan of Arc, Lords of the Rising Sun, Nobunaga's Ambition, Pirates, and many more.

Their Finest Hour Strategy Tips - Tips and strategies for this Battle of Britain flight sim.

A New William Tell Overture - Review of The Legend of William Tell, an action strategy game featuring the title character (and his son).

_{Table of Contents from the October 1990 issue of Computer Gaming World}

Departments

Taking A Peek - A brief look at new games with screen shots. Games mentioned include Unlimited Golf & Course Design, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, Flood, Imperium, PGA Tour Golf, Anarchy, Hoyle' Book of Games Vol. II, Flight of the Intruder, Edward Thorp's Real Blackjack, and Treasure Trap.

The Rumor Bag - Rumors include a new Test Drive game, a possible sequel to Loom, a new Bard's Tale Trilogy starting with Bard's Tale IV, Eye of the Beholder (a first person RPG), and more.

Letters from Paradise - Letters from readers about Conflict by Virgin Mastertronic, previous CGW editorials, and more.

Scorpion's View - Some hints for Secret of the Silver Blades, follow-up to Curse of the Azure bonds and SSI's latest AD&D game.

_{Back cover of the October 1990 issue of Computer Gaming World}

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Computer Gaming World (November 1982)

Throughout most of the 1980s all the way through the early 2000s Computer Gaming World was known mostly for its coverage of PC games (DOS and then Windows). It's easy to forget how early they actually started. This issue is from November/December 1982. The PC, as in the ancestor of the Windows based computers we use today, wasn't even introduced until the previous year and it was quite expensive as it was designed as a business machine. The IBM PC Jr., the first feeble attempt to market the PC as a home computer wasn't introduced until 1984. In 1982, the PC was not the dominant platform for computer games. This issue of Computer Gaming World covers games for machines like the Atari 400/800, TRS-80 and Apple II.

The contents of this issue include:

Features

The History of a Wargame Design - The history of SSI's Guadalcanal Campaign from conception to implementation and beyond as related by its author.

Japanese Strategy in Guadalcanal Campaign - Another article on SSI's Guadalcanal Campaign for the Apple II. This one provides a strategy for helping you win when playing as the Japanese.

Four for the Atari - Reviews of Attack at EP-CYG-4, Hockey and Soccer (apparently sold together), and Shamus for the Atari 400/800.

Eastern Front: Scenario Options - An article on creating a custom scenario for Eastern Front for Atari 8-bit computers.

Star Maze - Review of this space based arcade game by Sir-tech for the Apple II. Also, prizes are offered for the first three people who can get to the 16th level and prove it by providing a map.

Legionnaire: Review and Analysis - Review of the strategy/war game Legionnaire by Chris Crawford/Avalon Hill for the Atari 400/800.

Cytron Masters for Atari - An article about porting the action/strategy game Cytron Masters from the Apple II to the Atari 400/800.

Andromeda Conquest - A review and strategies for the strategy game Andromeda Conquest. Also includes the best settings to achieve shorter games as games can run as long as ten hours.

Bungo Pete and the Wonder Bear - Two New Scenarios for SSI's Torpedo Fire, a naval strategy game for the Apple II. These scenarios are created with something called the Shipyard program which I assume is some kind of scenario generator for the game.

Beyond Sargon II - Various chess variations that can be played with Sargon II.

Departments

Inside the Industry - An overview of the number of games released by each company and for each system in 1981 and the first half of 1982. It's interesting to note that in 1982, the Apple II had the most games followed by the TRS-80 then Atari and finally all other systems. In the first half of 1982, Atari overtook the TRS-80 for second place.

Letters - Letters from readers about piracy and back issues.

Taking a peek - Previews of the following games:
- Alien Garden by Automated Simulations/Epyx (Atari 400/800)
- Fore! by Automated Simulations (Apple II)
- Escape From Vulcan's Isle by Automated Simulations (Atari 400/800)
- Crypt of the Undead by Automated Simulations (Atari 400/800)
- King Arthur's Heir by Automated Simulations (Atari 400/800)
- Death Race '82 by Avant-Garde (Apple II)
- Federation by Avant-Garde (Apple II)
- Zero Gravity Pinball by Avant-Garde (Apple II)
- Teleport by Cavalier Computer (Apple II)
- Money Munchers by Datamost (Apple II)
- Mars Cars by Datamost (Apple II)
- Tharolian Tunnels by Datamost (Apple II)
- Kamikaze by Hayden Software (Apple II)
- Klondike 2000 by Hayden Software (Apple II)
- Shuttle Intercept by Hayden Software (Apple II)
- Final Conflict by Hayden Software (Apple II)
- King Cribbage by Hayden Software (Apple II)
- Star Traders by Hayden Software (Apple II)
- Frazzle by Muse Software (Apple II)
- Monster Mash by The Software Farm (Apple II)
- Picnic Paranoia by Synapse Software (Atari 400/800)
- Protector II by Synapse Software (Atari 400/800)
- Claim Jumper by Synapse Software (Atari 400/800)
- Frogger by Sierra On-Line (Atari 400/800, Apple II)
- Battle for Normandy by SSI (Apple II, Atari 400/800, TRS-80)
- S.E.U.I.S. by SSI (Apple II)
- The Cosmic Balance by SSI (Apple II)
- Valley of the Kings by Dynacomp (Atari 400/800)

Hobby and Industry News - News mostly about upcoming games, many of which were briefly covered in the previews section above.

The Silicon Cerebrum - A technical article on computer based decision making.

Real World Gaming - Second part in a series of articles on the phases of creating a simulation based game.

Microcomputer Mathemagic - Parlor tricks using a computer.

Route 80 (TRS-80) - The future of computer gaming, programs by subscription and PEEKS and POKES on the TRS-80.

Micro-Reviews - Reviews of:
- Crazy Mazey by Data Most (Apple II)
- Lazermaze by Avant-Garde (Apple II)
- Seafox by Broderbund (Atari 400/800, Apple II)
- Computer Foreign Exchange by Avalon Hill (TRS-80)

Writing for CGW - Guidelines for submitting articles and reviews to CGW.

Reader Input Device - A survey for readers, this month featuring the results of a computer ownership survey and a new survey about ranking games.

...and more!

Friday, February 10, 2017

Computer Gaming World – July 1989

Computer Gaming World was the best computer gaming magazine out there for most of its life, at least if you had a PC. While it did cover other computers, at least in its earlier days, it always seemed to emphasize DOS and Windows coverage particularly in regards to multi-platform games. It was an excellent magazine and had a very long life but a disappointing end. It was bought by Microsoft in 2006 and retitled 'Games for Windows'. It only lasted another two years after that. This wasn't really Microsoft's fault as they pretty much kept up the same quality, but gaming and computer magazines in general had been dying in droves for years already by 2006.

The July 1989 issue included the following:

Features

Special Report: Trends in Computer Games - Covering the Summer 1989 C.E.S with an emphasis on multiplayer and online gaming via modem and online services such as Compuserve.

Air Traffic Control, Can You Handle It? - A review of TRACON for the PC (DOS). This was essentially an air traffic control simulator. While quite accurate and stressful, it's probably only fun for a select few.

The Gamers Guide to Joysticks - A detailed analysis of joysticks from Gravis, Mindscape, Epyx, SunCom, and Kraft on various computers including the Apple IIgs, IBM PC, and Commodore 64.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - A preview of the then upcoming Indiana Jones game. This was a graphical adventure game available on multiple platforms using a similar interface to Zak McCracken and Maniac Mansion.

MacArthur's War - Review of a strategy war game by SSG using their 'Battlefront' system which had been used on many previous games. This game covers the Korean War.

Sniper! World War II Telegaming - This was a two player game available via Compuserve. While the graphics were simply the game play could be addictive and there weren't many things like it at the time. However, playing on Compuserve would cost you $6 to $12.50 per hour depending on the speed of your modem.

SSI's Overrun! - Review of this strategy war game by SSI. This one is a "modern" warfare simulation using a similar system as Panzer Strike and Typhoon of Steel.

Getting 'The Scoop' On The Competition - Game hints for The Scoop, a murder mystery in graphical adventure form.

Is VGA Worth It? - VGA was the latest graphical standard for computers (PCs anyway). It offered up to 256 colors at 320x200 resolution or 16 colors (out of 256) at 640x480. This article gives an overview of video cards and monitor that supported this standard.

Marbles From Hell - A review of Ballistix by Psygnosis for the Amiga and Atari ST.

Cinemaware's Lords of the Rising Sun - Set in 12th century Japan, this game combines action and strategy reminiscent of Defender of the Crown but with different action scenes and more strategic elements.

Departments

Taking a Peek - Short previews of recent releases and upcoming games including:
- Speedball by Cinemaware for DOS, Amiga and Atari ST
- Navy Seal by Cosmi for the Commodore 64 and DOS
- Axe of Rage by Epyx for the Commodore 64
- Devon Aire by Epyx for the Atari ST and Commodore 64
- Omnicron Conspiracy by Epxy for DOS
- Cosmos by Ishi Press for DOS
- Slots & Cards by Microdeal for the Amiga and Atari ST
- Fire King by SSG for the Commodore 64
- Slipheed by Sierra On-Line for DOS
- Space Quest III by Sierra On-Line for DOS
- Sky Shark by Taito for DOS and the Commodore 64

Conversions Received - I'm not sure what this list of games is meant to convey. Perhaps games that have been previously released but have recently been converted to other platforms.