The Official Sega Saturn Magazine (January 1998) | PeakD

Unfortunately, the Saturn had a relatively short commercial life as did the few magazines dedicated to it. This was the official Sega Saturn magazine in the U.K. The January 1998 issue includes:

Source: The Official Sega Saturn Magazine (January 1998)

GamePro (February 1997) | PeakD

GamePro (February 1997): Along with Electronic Gaming Monthly, GamePro was one of the most popular gaming magazines for a long time. In 1997 is was primarily covering the Nintendo 64, PlayStation, and Sega Saturn and was also still covering the Super NES, Sega Genesis and Neo Geo. It also had a little PC and arcade coverage. The February 1997 issue includes:

Electronic Gaming Monthly (April 1998)

Electronic Gaming Monthly (April 1998)

I would say that by 1998, EGM was already past its peak, however it still seemed to be going strong covering the Nintendo 64, PlayStation, Saturn, Super NES, Genesis and the arcades. The April 1998 issue includes:

Features

• Tekken Triumphant - A detailed preview of Tekken 3 which was about to be released for the PlayStation, including a comparison to the arcade version.


• Calling All Poor Losers - A humorous look at sore losers and their tactics.

_{Table of Contents from the April 1998 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly}

Departments

• Editorial - A look to the future of gaming along with a complaint about there being too many sequels and not enough originality. Not that all sequels are bad (the upcoming Zelda: The Orcarina of Time is mentioned along with others), just that there are no surprises.


• Letters - Letters from readers regarding female gamers, 2D vs. 3D, "explicit" ads, big chain stores discontinuing Saturn products, and more.


• News - The big story this month was the impending launch of "Project X" (later called "Nuon") from VM Labs. VM Labs was made up in part by ex-Atari employees and the idea was to embed 3D capably gaming hardware in DVD players and set top boxes. Hardware was launched but a late launch (after the PS2), poor marketing, and little games support doomed it quickly. In other news, Namco plans bankruptcy for arcades...they owned Aladdin's Castle at the time...I miss Aladdin's Castle.


• Gaming Gossip - Quartermann reports that the 64DD disk drive for the Nintendo 64 might not make it to the U.S. in 1998 (little did he know it never would); he also reports on a satellite gaming service from Nintendo, the Sega Dural/Katana (ultimately to be the Dreamcast), and Sony using a mini-disc format in the next version of the PlayStation.


• Review Crew - Reviews this month include Mystical Ninja, NBA In The Zone '98, NHL Breakaway '98, and Quake 64 for the Nintendo 64; Winter Heat for the Sega Saturn; Gex: Enter the Gecko, March Madness 98, Newman/Haas Racing, Punky Skunk, and Tactics Ogre for the PlayStation; and James Bond 007 for the Game Boy.
  

_{Back cover of the April 1998 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly}

Read more: https://www.megalextoria.com/wordpress/index.php/2023/02/14/electronic-gaming-monthly-april-1998/

Tips & Tricks (January 1997)

Tips & Tricks (January 1997)

Though descended from my favorite magazine, VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, Tips & Tricks was never a magazine I paid much attention to. Many loved the hints, strategy guides and cheats it provided but I was always more interested in news, reviews and that sort of thing. The January 1997 issue includes:

Departments

• Power Up! - An introduction to the staff which includes Chris Bieniek, Wataru Maruyama, Ione Flores, Nikos Constant, Bett Hallock, Tyrone Rodriguez and Deborah Lockhart.


• Readers' Tips - Readers write in with tips on Daytona USA as well as various questions and comments.


• T&T Select Games - Overviews and previews of recent and upcoming games including:
• Jet Moto (PlayStation) - A racing game featuring a vehicle something like a Jet Ski.
• Crime Wave (Sega Saturn) - A vehicle combat game featuring a top-down point of view.
• Ten Pin Alley (PlayStation) - A bowling game of course.
• Suikoden (PlayStation) - An RPG that allows not only individual and group combat but full scale wars.
• Powerslave - A Doom-like game in which you wield magic as well as weapons.
• NFL '97 (Sega Saturn) - A football game featuring licensed teams, stadiums and players.
• NBA Live '97 (PlayStation) - Because we need a new basketball game every years...
• FIFA Soccer '97 (PlayStation) - ...and soccer too of course.
• FIFA Soccer Gold Edition (Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo) - A soccer game for the 16-bit systems.
Tips & Tricks provides a little of that also but it's emphasis is, as the name would imply, on tips and tricks.
• FIFA Soccer '97 (Game Boy) - Blurry soccer...
• Madden '97 (Game Boy) - Blurry football...
• Burning Road (PlayStation) - A racing game out of France that is somewhat similar to the likes of Daytona USA and Ridge Racer.
• Toshinden URA (Sega Saturn) - Another tweek to the Toshinden 3D fighting game franchise.
• Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo) - The pinnacle of Mortal Kombat on 16-bit systems.


_{Table of Contents from the January 1997 issue of Tips & Tricks}
• Game Genie/Game Shark Codes - Game Genie codes for the Genesis games Toy Story, Vectorman and Garfield: Caught in the Act; Game Genie codes for the Super NES games Porky Pig's Haunted Holiday (I swear I've never heard of that one); Game Shark codes for the PlayStation games Bubble Bobble, Crash Bandicoot, Olympic Soccer, Project Horned Owl and Robo-Pit; and Game Shark codes for Sega Saturn games Bubble Bobble, Iron Storm and Shining Wisdom.

Strategy

• X-Men vs. Street Fighter - A detailed strategy guide for this arcade game featuring general moves and how to use them as well as details for each character. Also, how to play as a couple of hidden characters.


• Kizuna Encounter - Another fighting game strategy guide, this one for the Neo Geo.


• Wave Race 64 - A detailed guide for this Nintendo 64 racing game featuring Jet Skis. It was a pretty outstanding racer for the time.

The last half of the magazine features tips on dozens if not hundreds of games for the Super NES, Genesis, PlayStation, Saturn, Game Boy, Game Gear, 3DO and arcade.

Read more: https://www.megalextoria.com/wordpress/index.php/2022/03/09/tips-tricks-january-1997/

Maximum – Issue Number 1 – 1995

Maximum – Issue Number 1 – 1995

Maximum covered what at the time were "next generation" systems, including the Sega Saturn, PlayStation, 3DO, Neo Geo, and PC among other systems. Maximum was published in the U.K. but was very similar to Next Generation which was published in the U.S. In fact they were sister magazines and shared some content. The premiere issue of Maximum from 1995 includes:

Extended Play

• Wipeout - The cover story this month includes coverage of Wipeout, a futuristic racer for the PlayStation. I remember really wanting this game and did eventually get the PC version. My PC at the time (a 486 DX2/66) met the minimum requirements but really wasn't fast enough to run it smoothly. I was a bit disappointed with this game. While it was graphically impressive and did a great job of presenting the illusion of speed, I thought games like F-Zero were more fun.


• Tekken 2 - 3D fighters were all the rage (I STILL prefer 2D) and Tekken 2 was the latest arcade fighter from Namco. Tekken was a PlayStation franchise too so it would find its way there soon.


• Kabuki Klash - Neo Geo's latest arcade fighter at the time. They had tons of 2D fighters and while some were better than others, I don't know that any of them were bad. This one is anime themed. The great thing about the Neo Geo of course is that an arcade version automatically meant a home version...if you had the money.


• Air Combat - An early air combat simulator for the PlayStation. This was really as much an arcade game as a simulator resembling games like Space Harrier to some degree. I guess it could be thought of as a simplified simulator.


• Street Fighter Alpha - "The best Street Fighter Yet" claims Maximum. I don't know if that's true or not but if you love fighting games you'll probably love this one. It included additional characters from the original Street Fighter as well as Final Fight.


• Virtua Fighter - The first in Sega's 3D fighting series now available for the Saturn. 32-bit systems could get very close to arcade perfection which was a big deal at the time.

_{Table of Contents from the premiere issue of Maximum}

Maximum Close-Up

• Daytona USA - A full guide to this racer for the Sega Saturn.


• Panzer Dragoon - Another cult classic for the Saturn. This was one of the best 3D shooters around at the time. This article provides a guide, codes, cheats, hidden items and more.

Maximum Regulars

• New Games... Places... Events - News coverage of Virtua Fighter 3, Sega Saturn criticism, Virtua Fighter 2, Capcom's fighting game competition, X-Men on the Sega Saturn, a new Battle Arena Toshinden, King's Field 2 for the PlayStation, Virtua Cop 2 for the Saturn, Sega Rally Championship, Yoshi's Island and much more.


• Reviews - The reviews section this month includes reviews of the following games:
• Virtua Fighter (Sega Saturn)
• Panzer Dragoon (Sega Saturn)
• Daytona USA (Sega Saturn)
• Bug! (Sega Saturn)
• Wipeout (PlayStation)
• Ridge Racer (PlayStation)
• Battle Arena Toshinden (PlayStation)
• Rapid Reload (PlayStation)
• Jumping Flash (PlayStation)
• Kileak The Blood (PlayStation)
• King of Fighter '95 (Neo Geo CD)
• Kabuki Klash (Neo Geo CD)
• Savage Reign (Neo Geo CD)
• ...and more!


• Correspondence Required - This would be the letters from readers section but since this is the first issue, there are none yet. Instead we just have a request for letters...

Read more: https://www.megalextoria.com/wordpress/index.php/2022/01/21/maximum-issue-number-1-1995/

Electronic Gaming Monthly (September 1998)

Electronic Gaming Monthly (September 1998)

Official Sega Saturn Magazine (February 1998)

Official Sega Saturn Magazine (U.K.) (December 1995)

Official Sega Saturn Magazine (U.K.) (December 1995)

Hi Octane (Sega Saturn)

Hi Octane (Sega Saturn)

Skeleton Warriors (PlayStation, Sega Saturn)

Source: Electronic Gaming Monthly - June 1996

This game was a rather obscure license and an early release for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn. Skeleton Warriors the game is based on a short-lived animated series and toy line. It's a pretty basic side-scrolling platform game but with 3D rendered graphics.

As a game based on a license I guess it is okay. Contemporary reviews were mostly positive but I think everyone was still enthralled by the new 32-bit systems so any game that wasn't complete garbage often got positive reviews at this point in time. There are 21 levels and more than 100 types of enemies in addition to the main villain, Baron Dark. This isn't a bad game but there's not much special about it either unless you were just a big fan of Skeleton Warriors.

Skeleton Warriors was released for both the Sega Saturn and PlayStation but as far as I know there have been no re-releases and given the nature of licenses, it seem pretty unlikely that there would ever be one. You can probably find an original pretty cheap though if you want it. I haven't compared versions directly but it seems unlikely that differences would be substantial so pick your favorite system.

The ad above is from the June 1996 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly and the screen shots are from the PlayStation version of the game.

Next Generation (September 1995)

Next Generation (September 1995)

GamePro (October 1996)

GamePro (October 1996)
GamePro was never one of my favorite gaming magazines. It did have a lot of good content but the organization always seemed...random. Nevertheless, it was a popular and long lasting magazine. The October 1996 issue includes:

Cover Feature

• Nintendo 64: The U.S. Launch
• The N64: It's Heeeeeeeeeere!
• Let the Games Begin: N64 Release Calendar
• The Game Names: Updates on MK Trilogy, Turok: Dinosaur Hunter, and Freak Boy
• The Cutting Edge: Nintendo 64 Graphics Hardwired
• Super Mario 64 ProStrategy Guide

Special Feature

• Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Gold! - An inside look at LucasArts' five hot Star Wars games: Shadows of the Empire (N64), Dark Forces (PlayStation), Rebel Assault II (PlayStation), Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II (PC-CD), and X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter (PC-CD).

SWATPro Strategy Section

• Super Mario 64 Nintendo 64 ProStrategy Guide - Mario's most essential moves, how to use camera views, and a breakdown of the first two areas.
• The Fighter's Edge Presents: Tekken 2 (PlayStation), Conclusion - Best combos, special moves, linking moves, and throws for the remaining bosses: Anna, Devil, Angel, Bruce, Kuma, Ganryu, Roger, and Alex.
• SWATPro - Secret coedes and tips! Play as Akuma in X-Men: Children of the Atom, Toshinden 2 boss codes, Game Shark codes, and more!

ProReviews

• N64
• PlayStation
• Saturn
• SNES
• Sports Pages
• Role-Player's Realm

Departments

• Head-2-Head
• The Mail
• Art Attack
• Buyers Beware
• ProNews - Johnny Cage will appear in Mortal Kombat Trilogy!
• GamePro Online - AOL games and hot Web sites
• GamePro Labs - ASCII Saturn Stick, Psychopad K.O., and Saturn 3D Analog Controller
• Overseas ProSpects - CoolBoarders and Motor Toon 2!
• Sneak Previews - Fighting Vipers, Soviet Strike, Treasures of the Deep, Doom, and more!
• PC GamePro - Starcraft, Interstate '76, and more!
• Hot at the Arcades - Soul Edge Version II

...and more!

EGM 2 (June 1996)

EGM 2 (June 1996)
Unlike the world of today where physical video game magazines are extinct for all practical purposes, the mid 1990s were overflowing with such publications. So much so that Electronic Gaming Monthly couldn't get enough into their main multi-hundred page publication and they published a second monthly magazine, EGM^2. The June 1996 issue includes: Departments

• Insert Coin
• Interface: Letters to the Editor
• Press Start
• Previews
• Tricks of the Trade
• Strategies
• Advertising Index

Tricks

• Alien Trilogy - Finally, the long-awaited Cheat Menu has now been found...great cheats available!
• Night Warriors - Double your turbo speed and get a non-shaded pause screen with this code!
• Game Shark Codes - The Shark can be your friend if you enter the passwords correctly for the SS and PS.
• SFA 2 - Uncover Chun-Li's old uniforms and two hidden fighting stages by entering this code.

Cover Story

• Play with the Power of a God in this Latest Fighter - The latest entry into the fighting genre is another great title by the gurus at Williams but not by the same MK team. This new 3-D fighter was designed by a completely different group, however, they do the Williams name proud. It is an exceptional example of true 3-D perspective fighting, with all the moves, combos and fatalaties to keep fighting fans happy. Check out the first of many articles on War Gods, covering the initial stages and moves that will get you up and playing.

Strategies

• Fight or Die for your Party in Guardian Heroes - Guardian Heroes, Treasure's first action/adventure title for the Saturn, pits you against a number of worthy (and just plain tough) foes. In this EGM^2, there is a six-page jam-packed guide to help players with moves, opponents, levels and more. It also details characters' backgrounds and strategy. As well, there are several detailed maps pointing out important information gamers should know. There is also a quick reference guide that gives players some very useful tips.


• Skeleton Warriors Has More Than Meets the Eye - Deceptively complicated with gameplay and skill level gradually increasing, Skeleton Warriors might be too much for a non-observant player. With huge numbers of enemies on screen at one time, many can become overwhelmed during any point in this action game. However, in this issue there is a detailed guide that takes the reader by the hand and helps him/her through the more difficult levels of gameplay. With much-needed hints on Bosses and levels, this guide won't leave anyone stranded.


• They Don't have a Backbone, But They Sure Are Tough - Who said playing with worms couldn't be fun? They are if you send in a unit to destroy an opponent with mines, missiles and sheep (yes, sheep!). In this mud-free strategy guide, players will be victorious because everything to know about this game has been packed into this issue. Find out which strategy works best and what weapons to use during certain situations. For example, the Prod works well if an enemy is close to a cliff. However, if you want to knock the opponent forward, the Dragonball works best!

...and more!

EGM 2 (August 1996)

EGM 2 (August 1996)

Believe it or not, there was a time that not only were there multiple successful video game magazines on the market, but in at least one case, one issue a month wasn't enough. Electronic Gaming Monthly was probably the most successful video game magazine and they were in fact so successful that for several years they published EGM^2 as well. The August 1996 issue includes: Departments

• Insert Coin
• Press Start
• Interface: Letters
• Previews
• Tricks of the Trade
• Strategies
• Advertising Index

Tricks

• Iron Storm - In this great trick take control of opposing forces or play a multi-player game in Campaign Mode!
• Toshinden 2 - Play as the hidden characters (Sho, Uranus, Master and Vermilion) on the U.S. version!
• Ultimate MK3 - Fight as Human Smoke (who carries most of the same moves as Scorpion) on the Saturn!
• WWF: Wrestlemania - Gamers will be able to kick the computer's butt easily with this awesome cheat!
• Toy Story - An invincibility and level select code will be granted if you follow the procedure correctly!

Cover Story

• The Plumber Hits the Nintendo 64 With Some Attitude! - Everybody's favorite plumber is back in action, and this time around he's kickin' Bowser's butt! With its diverse levels, awesome 3-D effects, secrets and intense action, Mario 64 will leave gamers completely satisfied. In this issue, we give you a sample of what everyone will be craving, but make sure to stay tuned to EGM2 for updates.

Strategies

• RPGs, RPGs and More RPGs! - What do Dragon Force, Shining Wisdom and Legend of Oasis all have in common? Besides all being RPGs, this issue highlights each game with blowout strategies! Dragon Force pits you against other conquerors to see who can get the most land for their kingdoms. However, in Shining Wisdom, your adventure begins when you see a strange character walk into the shire near the castle. In Legend of Oasis, battle against enemies while trying to figure out puzzles. While all three have different story lines, all are awesome. Check out each RPG's strategy guide!

• Gamers Can Learn the Moves and Combos for the PS' Version of Tekken 2! - So you wanna impress your friends when playing the PS version of Tekken 2, but you don't quite know all the moves. Don't sweat it, because in this issue, there are six pages totally packed with all the characters' moves and combos. Do you wanna pull off Jun's Arm Lock, Law's Crescent Kick or Michelle's G-Clef combo? This guide has them all plus more. Also, to let you in on a secret...this is only the first section of a two-part guide! Your friends will be wowed once you study up on these cool moves for Tekken 2!



• EGM2 Has a Lot of Soul in this Issue - Soul Edge V II - Fans of the original Soul Edge (as well as other fighting game fans) will be thrilled with Soul Edge V II. There have been numerous improvements that gamers will enjoy. For example, in this game there are air-floating combos, new backgrounds, 10 playable characters and a new Time Attack Mode where you face all the characters in a certain order and you are ranked in 15 categories like Attack/Guard. There's a whole lotta soul shakin' goin' on in this issue!

...and more!

Electronic Gaming Monthly (August 1995)

Electronic Gaming Monthly (August 1995)
There were a vast number of home video game systems to chose from in the mid 1990s and EGM covered them all. From the older but still viable 16-bit classics to Segas frankenstein add-on system to the latest and greatest 32-bit systems and systems that were never really mainstream, they were all here. It makes today's video game scene look tame by comparison. The August 1995 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly includes: Cover Story - Super NES, Genesis, PlayStation? Which system will have the best translation of Mortal Kombat 3? Check out this issue's cover story! Departments

• Insert Coin
• Interface: Letters to the Editor
• Press Start
• Review Crew
• EGM Hot 50
• Gaming Gossip
• Special Features
• Arcade Action
• International Outlook
• Next Wave
• Tricks of the Trade
• Team EGM
• Lifestyles
• Advertising Index

Fact-Files

• Super NES - Save the kiddies from the baddies in SWAT Kats!
• Genesis - Go on a deadly adventure with Indiana Jones!
• Sega CD - Drive a bus across the desert and back again in Penn & Teller!
• 3DO - Play s a brain on a scavenger hunt in Daedalus Encounter!
• PlayStation - Wear a cosmic powersuit in the futuristic RPG Space Griffon!
• Game Gear - Stop the evil terrorists with the portable game, Jungle Strike!

Features

• Which System Will Be Crowned King of the Home Translation of MK3? - The Super NES, Genesis and PlayStation will be battling this holiday season for the best translation of the arcade smash, Mortal Kombat 3. The Genesis version, although a bit grainy, contains smooth animation and excellent sound. The Super NES version has everything from the Versus Screen with the secret code on the bottom to the Continued Screen. Don't forget the PlayStation version with its fantastic graphics, and the game might even be shipped with the system. It's up to gamers now to judge the winner!


• It's Mario's 10th Anniversary and Nintendo Celebrates with Yoshi's Island! - Mario, the famous plumber, is in trouble again and it is up to Yoshi to help his Italian pal out. Super Mario 2: Yoshi's Island will be slamming onto the Super NES. In this issue, we have hot pictures, secrets and a cool two-page map of the game. This cart falls in nicely with the other Mario games and sticks to its genre, with all the Mario secrets, techniques and loads of levels. However, this time the classic look is traded for an almost childlike perspective with crayon style graphics and cuteness at every angle.


• EGM Travels to the Tokyo Toy Show to Bring Back Exclusive Pictures - The Tokyo toy show is one of the most highly anticipated shows in Japan and EGM was there! Housing tons of video game companies and toy manufacturers, we received exclusive pictures on Rockman 3 (Mega Man X3) and Final Fight 3. Also check out the shots of Mickey Mouse 3, DarkStalkers for the PSX, RayTracers, Zeitgeist, Hat Trick Hero, Darius Gaiden (Darius 3 in the U.S.), Race Drivin', Clockwork Knight 2, Kabuki Fighting Lore and many more. Also, EGM snuck in and photographed the highly anticipated 3DO M2 unit!

More than 60 games are reviewed, previewed or otherwise covered in this issue.

GamePro (April 1997)

GamePro (April 1997)

I never read GamePro much but it competed strongly with EGM throughout the 1990s. In early 1997 there were lots of systems to cover. The 32/64-bit war was at a fever pitch but the 16-bit systems were still hanging on as well. The April 1997 issue of GamePro includes:

Cover Feature

• Soul Blade (PlayStation) - Soul Blade could be the fighting game of the year! Part One of this experts' strategy guide features basic moves, specials, combos, and more for the fighters Taki, Hwang, Voldo, Li Lang, and Mitsurugi.

Special Features

• LamePro (April Fool's, Fool!) - If you're looking for our annual LamePro feature, do not turn to page 31. Repeat: Do NOT turn to page 31!
• Code Name: Namco! - Namco has arcade hits like Tekken 3 and PlayStation winners like Time Crisis just waiting to happen.
• Hunting the Big Game - The Lost World: Jurassic Park - The latest from DreamWorks lets you play as both hunter and hunted.

SWATPro Strategy Section

• Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain PlayStation ProStrategy Guide - How to live in the world of the undead.
• The Fighter's Edge - Soul Blade, Part One
• Street Fighter III (Arcade) - The basic move list will help you stay in the fight.
• WWF: In Your House (PlayStation, Saturn) - Special moves and combos for all ten grapplers!
• SWATPro - Secret codes and tricks for Soviet Strike, Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire, Disruptor, and more!

ProReviews

• PC GamePro
• Nintendo 64
• PlayStation
• Saturn
• Super NES
• Sports Pages
• Role-Player's Realm

Departments

• Head-2-Head: Letter from the GamePros
• The Mail
• Art Attack
• Buyers Beware - The consumer's hotline!
• ProNews - The PlayStation and the Nintendo 64 go head-to-head.
• NetPro - You don't have to pay to play online games.
• The Cutting Edge - "Yaroze" means you can program your own PlayStation games.
• Overseas Prospects - Fighters Megamix stars fighting characters from a gang of Saturn games including Virtua Fighter 2, Fighting Vipers, and even Daytona.
• Sneak Previews - Castlevania X, Herc's Adventures, and more!
• PC GamePro - Realms of the Haunting, Unreal, and Red Baron II lead the lineup.
• Hot at the Arcades - Street Fighter III, Tekken 3, and Maximum Force!

...and more!

VR Golf ’97 (PlayStation, Saturn)

Yet another golf game. That's how I think of VR Golf '97 (known as Actua Golf in parts of the world other than North America). As you could probably guess, I'm not the biggest fan of golf games. I don't play golf in real life either though I don't mind the occasional round of miniature golf. To be fair, I'm not a big fan of sports games in general and for a golf game, this isn't bad.

VR Golf '97 was released in late 1996 for both the PlayStation and Sega Saturn. It competed with PGA Tour 97 which was really the benchmark for golf games at the time. On the PlayStation, you were better off with PGA Tour 97 as it had more features and advantages in licensing. However, on the Saturn, the PGA Tour 97 port was not as good as it could have been and was very slow. VR Golf '97 was also choppier on the Saturn but still a much better experience. Mediocre ports like these no doubt helped kill the Saturn...

There was a sequel to VR Golf '97 but it was titled Fox Sports Golf '99 and released for the PlayStation and Windows. Ratings for it were not so great though and this would be the last game in the series. Far better golf games have come along since but if you want to give this one a try, you'll have to track down an original. The PlayStation version is a little better in that the graphics are a bit smoother and is also probably cheaper and easier to find.

VR Golf ’97 (PlayStation, Saturn)

Electronic Gaming Monthly (February 1995)

Electronic Gaming Monthly (February 1995)

When you think of video game magazines, it's hard not to think of Electronic Gaming Monthly. While there were a number of popular video game magazines, EGM was king of the hill for a long time. The May 1995 issue includes:

• Saturn Vs. PlayStation: The Battle Begins For #1! - The battle of the systems has begun, and in this issue we look at the Sega Saturn and the Sony PlayStation! We have compared both systems' release of the wooden labyrinth game, TAMA. Don't forget to check out the PlayStation's cool games Ridge Racer, Parodius and Hot Blooded Family plus Saturn's Myst and Gale Racer. Who will take the number one spot?


• Mortal Kombat III: Could This be the Last Bloody Fight? - Just when you thought the kombat was over, plans for Mortal Kombat III have been brewing. In this exclusive story, take a look at who will be in the game and who won't be returning. Plus, secret moves, new outfits, rumors circulating about the game and when it will be released. It's time to go back to the Outworld for Round Three!


• NBA Jam: TE Comes Home; Pippen Talks with EGM! - In Team EGM, NBA JAM:TE comes home to the Super NES and Genesis. Also, go into the locker room for a chat with Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls on his new game, Slam City with Scottie Pippen for the Sega CD.


• Departments
• Insert Coin
• Interface: Letters to the Editor
• Review Crew
• EGM's Hot Top Tens
• Gaming Gossip
• Press Start
• Arcade Action
• International Outlook
• Tricks of the Trade
• Next Wave
• Special Feature
• Team EGM
• Lifestyles
• Ad Index


• Fact Files
• Super NES Times - This Valentine's Day, make your Valentine's heart beat wildly with the latest Super NES games! He/she will fall in love with such games as The Flintstones, Lemmings 2, Itchy & Scratchy and Rise of the Phoenix!
• Outpost Sega - I'm in the mood to play Sega Genesis carts, simply because they're near me ... and because they're terrific games that include Thor, Metal Head and Shadow of the Beast.
• Planet 3DO - Be a kid again as you take over a TV station in Station Invasion!
• Jaguar Domain - Okay, maggots! Either shoot or get shot in Cannon Fodder!
• Super Gear - The famous cat-and-mouse team hack it up in Itchy & Scratchy!

...and more!

NAKI Lunar Gun

The third party controller market seemed to peak in the 16-bit era but there were plenty of third party controllers in the 32-bit era and even today. This particular ad is for a company called NAKI that developed controllers and other accessories. However, the latest stuff I could find from them is for the PS2.

This ad is highlighting a gun controller by NAKI for the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Nintendo 64 called the Lunar Gun. What is unique about this particular gun is that there was also an optional accessory for it called the Red Sight Laser Target System. That’s a pretty fancy name for something that basically amounted to a laser pointer. In theory, it makes it easier to hit what you are aiming for because, just like a laser sight on a real gun, you just have to put the red dot on what you are trying to hit.

Overall, the Lunar Gun was a pretty good choice if you needed a light gun. It’s main competition was the Justifier and while that one is better known, the Lunar Gun has more options like auto-reload, easy (three round burst) and a laser sight among others. My one problem with it is philosophical. I’m not sure I could see buying an accessory for my accessory. I couldn’t find prices but i’m guessing the price of the Red Sight Laser Target System was not trivial making the combined price of the gun pretty hefty. It would have been nice if they could have just made a slightly more expensive gun and included the laser. They probably felt that they couldn’t have competed on price with the Justifier that way and that once they suckered you in with the gun then you would want to buy the laser anyway. No doubt the gun packaging includes advertising for it.

This ad is from the August 1997 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly.

Electronic Gaming Monthly (January 1997)

Electronic Gaming Monthly was probably the best video games magazine of the late 1990s. It covered all the available systems in the U.S. and was also covered imports and rumors about upcoming systems and games. Some of the systems covered in 1997 include the Nintendo 64, PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Super NES, Genesis, Game Boy, Game Gear, Neo Geo, and 3DO.

The January 1997 issue includes:

Departments

• Insert Coin - A look back 20 years to the introduction of Pong and Star Wars to today when a new wave of Star Wars games is coming along, including Shadows of the Empire for the N64.

• Press Start - News this month includes the introduction of the Dual-Analog pad for the PlayStation, more M2 cancellations and doubts about its future, a new PlayStation model, possible future networked N64 games, Sega expands its online presence, Super Mario Kart R will become first four player N64 game, Arcade Shark N64 joystick introduced, and much more.

• Gaming Gossip - News and rumors including: Midway making Quake for the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation and Joust 3D for the N64; Mortal Kombat 4 coming soon; San Francisco Rush coming to the Nintendo 64; Lode Runner coming for the Nintendo 64; Sega develops arcade games with M2 board including Jurassic Park: The Lost World; and much more.

• Next Wave Protos - A sneak peek at games in early development, including Spider (PlayStation), Command & Conquer (PlayStation), Oddworld (PlayStation), Carmageddon (PlayStation), HED (Nintendo 64), Sentient (PlayStation), Dynasty Warriors (PlayStation), Mission Impossible (Nintendo 64), Rocket Jockey (PlayStation), ID4 (PlayStation), WCW (PlayStation), XS (PlayStation), SWIV (PlayStation), Brahma Force: Assault on Beltlogger 9 (PlayStation), Rush Hour (PlayStation), Ark of Time (PlayStation), and more.

• Review Crew
  • Dragon Force (Saturn) - A fantasy based military sim.
  • Sonic 3D Blast (Saturn) - A port of the Genesis version with improved graphics.
  • Bug Too! (Saturn) - A pseudo-3D side-scrolling platform game; Virtual On (Saturn), Sega's fighting mech game ported from the arcade to the Saturn
  • Toshinden Ura (Saturn) - One of the worst versions of Toshinden.
  • Virtua Cop 2 (Saturn) - A good port of the arcade light gun shooter.
  • Batman Forever (Saturn) - A mediocre game based on a mediocre Batman movie.
  • Adventures of Lomax (PlayStation) - A 2D side-scroller featuring Lemmings.
  • Robotron X (PlayStation) - Basically, the classic Robotron unnecessarily "upgraded" to 3D.
  • Suikoden (PlayStation) - A large and pretty solid fantasy RPG.
  • Tunnel B1 (PlayStation) - An action game in which you must race against the clock. Looks and game play are somewhat reminiscent of Wipeout.
  • King's Field 2 (PlayStation) - First person RPG.
  • Project X2 (PlayStation) - A difficult 2D horizontal shooter.
  • Tempest X (PlayStation) - A nice update of Tempest and it includes the original.
  • Tobal No. 1 (PlayStation) - A somewhat underrated (for the time) 3D fighter.
  • Twisted Metal 2 (PlayStation) - A pretty good sequel to the original and the game to have at the time if you like vehicular combat games.
  • Dragonheart (PlayStation) - A 3D hack and slash game based on the movie that garners comparisons to Skeleton Warrior. Average at best.
  • Samurai Showdown 4 (Neo Geo) - Another 2D fighting game classic on the Neo Geo.
  • Street Fighter Alpha 2 (Super NES) - The newst street fighter game on the SNES seems to have the worst game play and control.
  • Maui Mallard (Super NES) - A pretty good 2D side-scroller for the SNES.

• Tricks of the Trade - The trick of the month is for Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 and gives you access to a secret menu that provides a variety of options (including enabling playable bosses). There are also tons of other tips and tricks for Twisted Metal 2 (PlayStation), Project Overkill (PlayStation), Die Hard Trilogy (PlayStation), Namco Museum Vol 2 (PlayStation), Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (Super NES), Tobal No. 1 (PlayStation), Waverace 64 (Nintendo 64), NHL Powerplay '96 (Saturn), Tomb Raider (PlayStation), Street Fighter Alpha 2 (Saturn), Motor Toon Grand Prix (PlayStation), Star Gladiator (PlayStation), Triple Play '97 (PlayStation), Super Mario 64 (Nintendo 64), Time Commando (PlayStation), Battle Arena Toshinden Ura (Saturn), Wipeout XL (PlayStation), Pilotwings 64 (Nintendo 64), Gun Griffon (Saturn), Gunship (PlayStation), Machine Head (PlayStation), Loaded (Saturn), and more.

• Special Features
  • Cover Story: Mechwarrior 2 - A detailed overview of Activision's classic mech combat sim game. I played the PC version but never tried the console versions.
  • PlayStation Expo '96-'97 - A semi-annual event held in Chiba, Japan. The highlights of this show were the five new arcade conversions released by Namco including Soul Blade, Time Crisis, Ace Combat 2, Namco Museum Vol 5, and Rage Racer.
  • Retrogaming - It's a little disconcerting to read a retrogaming article from a magazine that is itself now retro. This article takes a look at some of the many compilations available at the time including Namco Museum Volumes 1-4, IREM Arcade Classics, Thunder Force Gold Pack, Gradius Deluxe Pack, Arcade's Greatest Hits as well as some standalone re-releases like Outrun, Asteroids, Afterburner II, Paperboy, Donkey Kong, Space Invaders, and Pac-Man as well as some modern updates to classic games. The article also asks "Will the PlayStation become a dinosaur in the years to come?...will the Super NES one day become an archaic system?"
  • MDK - A sneak peek at this third-person, 3D shooter that was attracting a lot of attention at the time.

• Team EGM - Previews and reviews of sports games. Previews: FIFA '97, Big Bass World Championship, Open Ice, Space Jam, and Grand Slam Baseball. Reviews: Hardcore 4x4, Jet Moto, 2 Extreme, In The Zone 2, Street Racer, NBA Hang Time, NBA Jam Extreme, and Motor Toon Grand Prix. Plus an interview with Cedric Ceballos whom I think was playing for the Phoenix Suns at the time.

• Interface - The letter of the month deals with Nintendo's botched launch of the Nintendo 64. Basically, there weren't enough units produced to match pre-orders and on top of that they prioritized bigger outlets like Wal-Mart over smaller specialty gaming stores so that they got them earlier. Also, letters about PC vs. console gaming, the cost of "modern" consoles vs. the Atari 2600 when it was new, upcoming Saturn releases, complaints about the review format in the magazine, and more.

Features

• Shoshinkai - A look at Nintendo's annual trade show. Some highlights include a look at upcoming games for the Nintendo 64 such as Blast Corps, Star Fox 64, Golden Eye, Mission Impossible, Yoshi's Island 2, and Mario Kart 64 among others. There was also a look at the 64 DD disk drive for the Nintendo 64 but that was never released outside of Japan.

• Mortal Kombat Trilogy - Which version is better, the PlayStation version of the Nintendo 64 version? There are trade-offs of course. The PlayStation version has 7 more characters and CD quality sound but also more loading time. The Nintendo 64 version on the other hand offers a 3 on 3 game mode that the PlayStation version doesn't have. Three out of four EGM staff picked the PlayStation version as the best.

• Final Fantasy VII Update - An update on the continued development of the much anticipated 7th installment of the Final Fantasy series. This was actually the only Final Fantasy I ever spent significant time playing.

Next Wave

• Saturn - Previews of recent or soon to be released Saturn games including Scud (80% complete), Virtual On (100% complete), Spot Goes to Hollywood (100% complete), and Heir of Zendor (95% Complete).

• PlayStation - Previews of recent and soon to be released PlayStation games including Batman Forever, Psychic Force (85% complete), Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat (95% complete), Persona (100% complete), Final Fantasy VII (25% complete), Discworld 2 (60% complete), League of Pain (90% complete), Project X2 (95% complete), Re-Loaded (90% complete), K-1 (75% complete), and Allied General (100% complete).

• Neo Geo - Previews of recent or soon to be released Neo Geo games. The only one this month is Samurai Showdown (100% complete).

...and more!