More Thoughts From Me #27: I Still Miss Nintendo Power

Before the internet, we had these things called magazines. They were like books, but a lot slimmer and they contained articles not novels. Yes, you could have your own portable website to hold in your hands. Of course now, people just go on the internet and magazines, well, they are still out there but I’d guess that most people only read them in a doctor’s waiting room. I still think about magazines a lot though. And I still have many of my old ones. One of my all-time favorite magazines was Nintendo Power. Let me tell you about it.

Nintendo Power was originally created and put out by Nintendo. The magazine was focused on giving players tips for their video games. There was no internet then (and when it did come around, it wasn’t like it is now), so players had to relay on Nintendo Power for walkthroughs for games. The magazine also put out special strategy guides that focused on one specific game. I still have my Earthbound strategy guide (which actually came with the game), my Super Metroid guide, and a few others. But the magazine was a solid choice for tips and tricks about games. That’s how the magazine started, but it didn’t always stay that way.

Over time, Nintendo Power started to get other features, like behind the scenes of games and even special comics based on Nintendo games. One of my favorite comics was the Zelda comic that they were putting in a lot of issues. It was really good. I especially liked the artwork! But Nintendo Power continued to change even more as the internet started to become popular.

When the internet started to become much more then just billboards and chatting, players could find their own tips and tricks online. Nintendo Power had to change with the times. The magazine became much more focused on articles that gave a behind the scenes look at games and also reviewing Nintendo games. Eventually, Nintendo decided to turn the magazine over to a third party.

Nintendo Power was never the same after the third party starting making it. I still liked it, but I did miss how connected it felt to Nintendo and thought the quality of the articles were better under Nintendo. Of course, I really missed how the magazine started out, with walkthroughs and tips. By the end of its life, Nintendo Power was a shell of its former self. The writing was the wall. Nintendo Power would be coming to an end.

In this day and age, I imagine its hard for these magazines to get by. People can easily and quickly get news, reviews, tips, and tricks through the internet. They don’t have to wait by the mail every month for the next issue. I know there is now a magazine called Nintendo Force that’s trying to replace Nintendo Power. I read some of an issue online once and it was neat. I’ve never gotten a subscription for it though. I suppose thats because, like everyone else, I can just go on websites like this and find interesting articles.

Still, I really miss Nintendo Power. There was something special about getting an issue of that magazine in my mail box, especially in the early days. I still have many of my old Nintendo Powers laying around. I really need to break them open soon and take a trip down memory lane.

Did you like Nintendo Power? Did you get the magazine in the mail? Tell us all about it. Bonus question: what was your favorite issue of Nintendo Power and why?

Next week: Guarding Star Fox. Wait. Star Fox Guard! Nintendo recently put a demo out of Star Fox Guard and I’ll tell you whether I like the demo or not next week!

More Thoughts From Me is an opinion column. The opinions here are mine and mine alone. I have the power!! NINTENDO POWER!