Nintendo Power: Reaction to the end of the long running magazine

Reports that Nintendo Power magazine was shutting down popped up like popcorn a week ago, bringing both old school and modern Nintendo fans to reminiscence about the long-running publication.

The first issue of Nintendo Power appeared in the summer of 1988, featuring a miscolored clay model for the upcoming Super Mario Bros. 2 on the cover. The magazine ran every other month for a while, eventually becoming a monthly publication and the best source for news on upcoming titles for the then-dominant Nintendo Entertainment System.

The full-color publication contained a variety of game previews, a section where gamers could request help on their toughest game challenges, tips, tricks and detailed maps for just about every release, contests, game rankings and even a high score chart where the world could race to be the first to max-out the high scores on NES titles.

I remember these days very fondly. I can still remember reading through that first issue three or four times that first night alone. Back in these days we didn’t have the internet to give us instant news nor were the other video game magazines on the market particularly timely. Nintendo Powerwas a literal treasure trove for a Nintendo-obsessed youngster such as myself, and I miss the feeling of anticipation of each new issue. I couldn’t wait to read the newest previews, try the latest tricks and tips and even to see if Howard ever gave Nester a little respect.

I subscribed to the magazine for the entire first four years and continued to check it out on newsstands ever since. Even though Nintendo no longer held direct control of the magazine in recent years, Nintendo Power still held true to it’s roots and still felt ‘right’.

“The passing of an era,” said New Jersey television producer Dave Bullis. “I remember reading it since childhood. It’s not just the passing of Nintendo Power, but the end of physical print and the closing of a childhood memory. The best memory I have is the Goldeneye issue. It made me really excited for the game.”

Another longtime fan learned of the news just hours after renewing her subscription.

“Nintendo Power had a huge impact on my interest in gaming,” said Seattle gaming vet Elizabeth ‘Ebo’ Hanning. “I have roughly a few hundred issues of the magazine dating back to some of the early copies. The best part of Nintendo Power was that the helpline was a local number, so I could call without my parents getting angry.”

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Some reports state the publication may be done outright while others state that Nintendo Power may continue as an online-only publication. Either way it is the end of an era, especially for us long-time fans.

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