VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (February 1993)

VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (February 1993)

VideoGames & Computer Entertainment was my favorite magazine in the years that it was published (late 1980s to early 1990s). It was really sort of the successor to the original Electronic Games magazine, at least until Electronic Games was actually rebooted. The February 1993 issue includes:

Features

• A Matter of Chaos: Player's Guide to Dungeon Master, Part I - VG&CE had some pretty great game guides. However, you had to be disciplined about looking at them because they could ruin the game for you. This one covers the first part of Dungeon Master for the Super NES.


• Much Ado About 3DO: The Real Story - It's a shame the 3DO didn't have more success. This article is a first look at the machine with some technical details and a look at its capabilities.

_{Table of Contents from the February 1993 issue of VideoGames & Computer Entertainment}

Previews & Reviews

• Video-Game Previews - Brief previews of Flashback (Genesis), Bonk 3 (TurboGrafx-16), Street Combat (Super NES), Dungeon Explorer II (TurboGrafx-16), Zen Intergalactic Ninja (NES and Game Boy), Lethal Weapon (NES and Game Boy), Cool World (Super NES and Game Boy), Congo's Caper (Super NES), Malibu Bikini Volleyball (Atari Lynx), Spot - The Cool Adventure (Game Boy), and Exile 2 (TurboGrafx-16).


• Video-Game Reviews - Reviews of The Magical Quest Starring Mickey Mouse (Super NES) - Capcom made some great Disney licensed games and this was one of them, Mega Man 5 (NES) - and there would still be one more Mega Man game on the NES, Roger Clemens' MVP Baseball (Genesis), Cybernator (Super NES), Buster Bros. (TurboGrafx-16 CD), Dragon's Lair (Super NES) - a platform game not really like the arcade version, PGA Tour Golf II (Genesis), Super Strike Eagle (Super NES), Aerobiz (Super NES), Samurai Ghost (TurboGrafx-16), The Adventures of Willy Beamish (Sega CD), Tiny Toon Adventures Cartoon Workshop (NES), and Universal Soldier (Super NES) - another bad licensed game.


• Computer-Game Previews - Short previews of Ultima VII Part 2: The Serpent Isle, Caesar - I think I actually have this one somewhere though I've never played it, Betrayal at Krondor - my roommate in college spent many hours on this game, and Pirates! Gold.

Departments

• Editor's Letter - A look at what's ahead in 1993 including the 3DO, Atari Jaguar, the PlayStation (which at the time was essentially an SNES console with CD-ROM), and more.


• Reader Mail - Letters from readers about RPGs, Nintendo's 32-bit CD-ROM system, portable systems, and more.


• Tip Sheet - Hints and tips for Night Trap (Sega CD), The Guardian Legend (NES), and Cosmic Fantasy 2 (TurboGrafx-CD).


• News Bits - Radio Shack debuts a new interactive CD player called the Memorex MD-2500 VIS, Nintendo cleared of antitrust charges, classic games re-released for the NES (Zelda, Zelda II, Punch-out, Metroid) for $29.99 each, Sunsoft licenses The Pirates of Dark Water, Atari drops price of Lynx to $79.99, and more.

_{Back cover of the February 1993 issue of VideoGames & Computer Entertainment}

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Maximum: The Video Game Magazine – Issue Number 4 – 1996

Maximum: The Video Game Magazine – Issue Number 4 – 1996

You can think of Maximum as Next Generation's sister magazine in the U.K. Much of the content of Next Generation came from Maximum and the magazines were very similar. Next Generation was one of my favorite magazines though I wasn't really aware of Maximum until much later and being in the U.S., I was unlikely to ever see it anyway. Maximum targeted an older demographic than GamePro or even EGM. Issue Number 4 of Maximum from 1996 includes:

Maxiumum Extended Play

• Soul Edge - The cover game of Maximum issue #4 is a true showcase of arcade fighting titles, based on the PlayStation technology System 11 board. Soul Edge is graphically breathtaking, and features a technical level to the gameplay that's quite outstanding.


• Space Hulk - A firm hit on the 3DO, Electronic Arts have been busy bringing their top-rated game onto the PC CD-ROM, Saturn and PlayStation systems. In this triple-format Extended Play, Maximum brings forth huge amounts of info on this involving game.


• Heretic - The first third party game to use the Doom engine was Raven's Heretic, which has since been superseded by the excellent Hexen. However, the first game never received a general review and the boys at GT Interactive have just put out the latest version with extra levels. Maximum investigates..


• Real Bout Fatal Fury - Some have been saying that the latest Fatal Furty is (get this) better than Street Fighter Alpha! Is this true, or is Real Bout just another outing for Geese Howard and a pair of outrageous trousers? Perhaps both, maybe neither. Full details later on.


• Guardian Heroes - When Treasure produce a new video game, true game fanatics tend to sit up and take notice - especially when the game is on as powerful a system as Sega Saturn. True to form, Treasure have performed miracles with this game.


• Street Fighter Alpha - First revealed in Maxiumum issue #3, Capcom have handed in a truly arcade-perfect conversion of their monster arcade game which Virgin are handling in Europe. We'eve already covered the coin-op, so this Extended Play covers the art of Street Fighting, from throwing your very first punch to pulling off incredible 19 hit Super Combo finishes.


• Magic Carpet - Bullfrog scored a bit of an own-goal with their last action game translation to the super consoles. Yes, although Hi-Octane was a bit poor, the conversions of Magic Carpet are absolutely spot-on, and for any Saturn or PlayStation owner, it should be considered an essential purchase.
• Virtua Fighter 2 - The final part of our unrivaled Virtua Fighter 2 coverage gives our valued readership an in-depth examination of the combination system in the game. Hugely damaging multi-hit strikes are revealed, along with basic techniques on improving your play.

Maximum Close Up

• Virtua Cop - Now that the game is a couple of months old, Maximum is pleased to announce the full range of hidden options found in this excellent blasting game.


• X-Men: Children of the Atom - Well, many apologies for the lack of Magneto action, but this single page of mutant mayhem should clue you in to the true power of the unstoppable Juggernaut!


• Battle Arena Toshinden 2 - Well, to be frank we think this game is pretty bad - however, it seems to have attracted its own legion of fans on PlayStation and in the arcades, so we reveal all of the boss-related secrets.


• Doom - The third and final installment of Maximum's coverage reveals the five secret levels in Doom, including the celebrated "Club Doom".

Maximum Regulars

• New Games...Places...Events... - Well, Maximum's coverage of the places and events is probably a bit lacking this month, since we'eve been enslaved to Lord EMAP and super-glued to our desks to meet an impossible deadline. Again. Still, the coverage of hot games remains pretty decent regardless, with Saturn WipeOut, Formula One and of course PlayStation Tekken 2 taking pride of place in the Maximum line-up. Also worth checking out are the first pictures of Street Fighter Alpha 2 along with Virtua Fighter Kids and more on the Sonic Fighting Game.


• Maximum Response - After finally being swayed by popular opinion, Maximum unveils its first letters page. For intelligent debate on gaming in general plus a slagging off for Killer Instinct 2, look no further.


• Reviews - Despite the lean times in terms of software, Maximum retains its enormous 23 page reviewing section where we tell you in plain English whether selected software is worth buying or not. No useless "ratings" and suchlike here - just our informed opinions on the latest wares.


• Next Edition - For full details on the forthcoming Namco Special Edition of Maximum, it could well be worth your while checking out this page. It's going to be big...

...and more!

VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (June 1993)

VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (June 1993)

VideoGames & Computer Entertainment was the first video games magazine I ever bought and it remained my favorite throughout its life. The June 1993 issue includes: Features

• Blaster Master 2 Contest! - Sunsoft, VG&CE and Triax have combined forces to give away some great prizes. Don't miss out. Enter today to win!



• The Quest For Immortality, Part 2 A Player's Guide to Gods - This month we'll take an in-depth look at Level 3 and make sure that your fighting skills will be at their peak.



• VG&CE Preview: Aladdin - For the first time ever, Disney animators will join forces with Virgin and Sega to produce an exciting 16-meg cartridge for the Genesis. Join Andy as he takes a look at what will go into the making of the game.



• The Tentacles Have Taken Over The Asylum: A Preview of Maniac Mansion 2 - It's been six years since the release of the original game. Join the editors of VG&CE for a special behind-the-scenes look at the making of this new graphic adventure.

Reviews & Previews

• Video-Game Previews
• SF II Turbo Champion Edition
• Journey From Darkness: Strider Returns
• Crash 'N Burn
• Super Empire Strikes Back
• Super Turrican
• World Heroes 2
• Cotton
• Speedy Gonzales
• Jungle Strike
• Nigel Mansell's World Championship
• Lemmings
• Puggsy
• Lester the Unlikely
• Streets of Rage 2
• Video-Game Reviews
• WWF Royal Rumble
• B.O.B.
• Toys
• Summer Challenge
• Vasteel
• Kid Klown
• Tuff E Nuff
• Super Black Bass
• 3 Count Bout
• Dungeon Master
• The Secret of Monkey Island
• Cacoma Knight in Bizyland
• Ultimate Fighter
• Shining Force
• Gaming on the Go
• Raging Fighter
• Vampire: Master of Darkness
• Spider-Man 3: Invasion of the Spider-Slayers
• Gordo 106
• Computer-Game Previews
• BloodNet: A Cyberpunk Gothic
• High Command
• Lands of Lore: The Throne of Chaos
• Kyrandia 2
• SimFarm
• Computer-Game Reviews
• Strike Commander
• Freddy Pharkus
• Lemmings 2
• Ultima VII - Part II
• Chess Maniac 5 Billion and 1
• Mad Dog McCree
• Space Hulk
• Eye of the Beholder III
• Legacy
• Eternam
• Protostar
• Pax Empiria

Departments

• Editor's Letter
• Yea & Nay
• Reader Mail
• Easter Egg Hunt
• News Bits
• Tip Sheet
• Destination Arcadia
• Advertiser Inidex
• Q & A
• Computer Strategies

...and more!

VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (June 1993)

VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (June 1993)

VideoGames & Computer Entertainment was always my favorite video games magazine. VG&CE along with EGM were really the only two I ever bought. The June 1993 issue includes: Features

• The Quest for Immortality: A Player's Guide to Gods, Part I - We'll show you how to get past the first two levels in this challenging multi-platform game.

Departments

• Editor's Letter
• Yea & Nay
• Reader Mail
• Tip Sheet
• News Bits
• Easter Egg Hunt
• Advertiser Index

Reviews & Previews

• Video-Game Previews
• The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
• Saturday Night Slam Masters
• Rocket Knight Adventurers
• Mario is Missing!
• 3 Count Bout
• Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective Vol 2
• Double Dragon
• The Incredible Crash Test Dummies
• The Punisher
• Beach Volley
• Video-Game Reviews
• Street Fighter II Champion Edition
• Blaster Master 2
• Super Turrican
• Battletoads/Double Dragon: The Ultimate Team
• Taz-Mania
• C & C Music Factory: Make My Video
• Batman Returns
• Riot Zone
• Cool Spot
• Bases Loaded 4
• American Gladiators
• Super Ninja Boy
• Sorcerer's Kingdom
• Gaming on the Go
• Battletoads in Ragnarok's World
• Land of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
• European Soccer Challenge
• Star Trek: The Next Generation
• Computer-Game Reviews
• Street Fighter II
• Doom
• Quarter Pole
• The Awesome Adventures of Victor Vector & Yondo Adventure 2
• Rules of Engagement 2
• Take a Break! Pinball
• Spectre Supreme
• Computer-Game Previews
• X-Wing: The Farlander Papers
• Empire Deluxe
• The Prophecy
• Michael Jordan in Flight
• Space Quest V
• V for Victory: Market Garden
• Wilson ProStaff Golf
• Rome: Pathway to Power
• World Tour Tennis
• Tony La Russa Baseball II
• S.C.O.U.T.

...and more!

Neo Geo CD

Neo Geo CD 

The Neo Geo was the Cadillac of video game systems in the 16-bit era. Released in 1990, it was technically vastly superior to competitors such as the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo. The Neo Geo let you play the same exact games that SNK was putting in arcades. However, this came with a price. The system debuted at $649, far above the more popular 16-bit systems of the time and games cost $200 and up because of the relative vast amounts of ROM they required.

To address these issues, at least in part, SNK developed the Neo Geo CD which would be released in North America in 1996. Instead of expensive cartridges it used CDs which allowed the games to be somewhat more reasonably priced at $49-$79 and pretty much all the same games were available. The system itself was priced at $399.

While the Neo Geo CD did help reduce prices significantly, it just wouldn't be enough for the system to become a major competitor in the market place. It would sell reasonably well and make SNK a profit but it would remain a niche system. By the time it was released, the PlayStation and Saturn were already out and were cheaper. In addition, while the Neo Geo was still a 2D force to be reckoned with, it had no real 3D capabilities putting it at a severe disadvantage.

There were three variations of the Neo Geo CD. The first was a front-load system released only in Japan. The second was a top-load system released world-wide. The final version is definitely the one you want, as it was the only one with a 2x CD-ROM. The others were 1X and load times were abysmal. The final version (the CDZ) was only released in Japan but it is not region locked so it was relatively popular as an import.

All of the Neo Geo systems had the same basic hardware and capabilities including:

• CPU: Motorola 68000 (or clone) @ 12 MHz
• Coprocessor: Zilog Z80 @ 4MHz
• Colors: 4,096/64,536 on screen
• Max Sprites: 384

The biggest difference between the cartridge-based original and the CD versions, besides the format, is the amount of RAM. The original Neo Geo only had 284 KB total but the CD version had 7 MB since CDs were so much slower and more data needed to be accessible in RAM.

This was definitely an impressive system in its day but by the time a more affordable version was released, it was too late to become a truly popular system. However, I don't believe this was ever SNKs intent. They were content with providing arcade games to home users for those willing and able to pay the price.

The preview from above is from the July 1994 issue of EGM^2 and features the original front-load model.

Maximum: The Video Game Magazine, Volume 2, 1995

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Maximum issue number 6, 1996

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The May 1996 issue of Maximum - http://fba0f6f5.tinylinks.co