N64 Magazine Issue 1 | Nintendo Mags

Introduction

The first issue of N64 magazine followed hot on the heels of the N64’s uk release, and provided everything you needed to know about the new console. With only 4 UK releases to review, and although each of them got massive reviews, there was still plenty of space left to cover everything else. Mario was the first cover star, unsurprisingly with reviews of his first two N64 games.

The magazine was accompanied by a video, showcasing gameplay of the launch titles and forthcoming releases as well as the entirety of Nintendo’s video from their recent Space World show. In the days before digital video, it did a great job of selling the N64 and its games. The video has been uploaded to YouTube and is available for your delectation below:

The magazine also showcased all of the forthcoming N64 releases with as many screenshots that they could find space for in the previews section, and with the Japanese release of Starfox 64 only a couple of months away, it got a good going over as the lead preview. In what was to become a regular over the next year and a half, the magazine showcased Zelda 64 (later to become ocarina of time) with everything they knew about the game up to that point.

The four N64 launch titles got plenty of space in the issue - of course, with 11 other import games reviewed, all of the games released since the N64's release in Japan and America last year. Mario 64 was undoubtedly the star of the show, with a 14 page review explaining in detail the fantastic features of the game and going over some of the first moments of the game. Turok, Pilot wings and Shadows of the empire were the other UK games reviewed, whilst the US version of Mario Kart 64 was given another massive review.

The magazine began its Tips Extra section with a couple of pages worth of extras they couldn’t fit anywhere else in the mag. It also featured the precursors to what would become two major sections of the magazine, asking for High Scores (later I'm the Best) and a request for Readers Top 10 Tips.

Thanks to an advert for the magazine in a recent Games Master issue, there were also plenty of letters in the Club 64 Mailbox. Letters talked about readers expectations for the N64, what they wanted in the magazine and the staff's attempt at designing games for the N64 - again this was to become a regular feature for readers.

Towards the back of the magazine, the staff carried out a complete teardown of the N64 hardware, covering in detail what each element of the console was capable of and the plans for the future (i.e. the Ill fated 64DD). That proved that the N64 was certainly the fastest most powerful console in the world!

Highlights

Super Mario 64 Review

An info packed, 14 page review of probably the most innovative and anticipated launch title for any console!

Mario Kart 64 Import Review

Mario Kart 64 took the N64's world by storm as the first big multi-player game. It came out in Japan in December 1996, and N64 magazine was there with an import review in their first issue.

Articles

Future Look

Starfox 64
Zelda 64
Blast Corps

Coming Soon

Rev Limit
Multi Racing Championship
Top Gear Rally
Fifa 64
Dynamite Soccer
Yoshi's Island 64
Creation
San Fransisco Rush
Go Go!! Troublemakers
Silicon Valley
Sonic Wings Assault
Wild Choppers
Blade and Barrel
Robotech Crystal Dreams
Dark Rift
Dual Heroes
Mother 3
Crystal Stories
Mission Impossible

Reviews

Cruis'n USA
Author: Jonathan Davies
Country: Us
Score: 34%
Mortal Kombat Trilogy
Author: Marcus Hawkins
Country: Us
Score: 34%
NBA Hangtime
Author: Jonathan Davies
Country: US
Score: 52%
Wonder Project J2
Author: Wil Overton
Country: Jap
Score: 55%
The Glory of St Andrews
Author: Tim Weaver
Country: Jap
Score: 58%
Killer Instinct Gold
Author: Zy Nicholson
Country: Us
Score: 62%
King of Pro Baseball
Author: Tim Weaver
Country: Jap
Score: 68%
Mah Jong Master
Author: Wil Overton
Country: Jap
Score: 69%
Wayne Gretzsky's 3d Hockey
Author: Jonathan Davies
Country: US
Score: 70%
Shadows of the Empire
Author: James Ashton
Country: Uk
Score: 78%
J-League Perfect Striker
Author: Tim Weaver
Country: Jap
Score: 89%
Pilotwings
Author: Tim Weaver
Country: Uk
Score: 89%
Mario Kart 64
Author: Jonathan Davies
Country: Jap
Score: 91%
Turok Dinosaur Hunter
Author: Tim Weaver
Country: Uk
Score: 91%
Mario 64
Author: Zy Nicholson
Country: Uk
Score: 96%

Features

Lifting the lid - Inside the Nintendo 64

Staff

Jonathan Davies Editor
James Ashton Deputy Editor
Tim Weaver Games Editor
Wil Overton Art Editor
Zy Nicholson Writer